For the Chicago woman of the 19th century with sensitive sleuthing needs, Ms. Cora M. Strayer was a special P.I. to whom the ladies could turn.
A Chicago Gal In The Suffrage Era? Meet The P.I. For The Ladies
Calumet 412 Tumblr Celebrates Forgotten Chicago Ephemera
A Tumblr site takes a look at Chicago history through photography, postcards, and other ephemera.
One For The Road: Remembering Rube Foster
Today we look at Andrew "Rube" Foster, founder of the Negro National League, which formed today in 1920.
Construction Workers Discover Cold War-Era Fallout Shelter
Construction workers on Lower Wacker Drive discovered a fallout shelter from 1962 that contains all of the necessities from water to toilet paper to survival biscuits.
One for the Road: A 1960s Chicago Christmas Parade
Our pals over at Gapers Block posted this video earlier today, but it certainly deserves another turn and some further information.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for December 12, 2011
We have clouds forming throughout the day on the 23rd anniversary of the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance.
The Weekend Flashback: Halsted Drive-in Theater
The Chicago area used to have a glut of drive-ins decades ago. One, the Halsted Drive-in in Riverside, was the first 4-screen drive-in theater in the United States.
Friday Flashback: Enrico Fermi Creates First Controlled Nuclear Reaction at the University of Chicago
On this day in 1942, a University of Chicago team led by Enrico Fermi created the first controlled nuclear chain reaction, in converted squash courts under Stagg Field, the University’s football stadium.
The Weekend Flashback: More Vintage Chicago Signage
Here's a 6-minute film from Chevrolet from the 1940s that shows how the automobile company kept their billboard in Chicago lighted.
The Weekend Flashback: Vintage Chicago Billboards
The General Outdoor Company produced a trade film in the 1940s to show how billboard advertising could influence consumers. The film, shot in Chicago, shows a lot of scenes from the city 70 years ago.
89 Years Ago Today, College Football Entered the Radio Age
On this date in 1922, the first cross-country radio broadcast of a college football happened as Princeton's visited the University of Chicago to take on legendary coach Amos Alonso Stagg and his Chicago Maroons.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for October 26, 2011
Happy Birthday to the Chicago Theatre. The most recognizable of the Balaban & Katz local movie houses opened on this date 90 years ago today.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for October 21, 2011
You can't surf Lake Michigan every day, folks.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for October 19, 2011
Turn on your heaters today. This is not a drill.
"One for the Road:" Happy Birthday, Coach!
On this date in 1939 a local cult hero was born in Carnegie, PA.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for October 18, 2011
If you have a fireplace today would be a good day to give it a test run.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for October 17, 2011
Enjoy today's seasonable weather, for tomorrow we dip into temperatures more akin to mid-November.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for October 14, 2011
What should we expect from the weather now that the weather has caught up to all the leaves on the ground?
Tour Chicago Fire Landmarks with This Handy iPhone App
Relive the Great Chicago Fire with this detailed iPhone app.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for October 8, 2011
Don't play with matches: today's the 140th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for September 29, 2011
A wind advisory must be serious when Skilling Central announces it in all caps.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for September 28, 2011
If it keeps raining like this we may need to break out boats like Noah.
Take Advantage of Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day
Participating museums in Smithsonian magazine's "Museum Day" Saturday are allowing free admission for visitors who have a Museum Day ticket, which are available by going here and filling out the required fields.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for September 19, 2011
So what's the forecast on what would have been Mike Royko's 79th birthday today?
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for September 14, 2011
The downward trend the mercury has taken since Monday continues as we'll be lucky to reach 65 degrees.
Your Morning Wake-Up Call for September 9, 2011
The weathermen and women weren't exaggerating when they said the clouds would roll in thick yesterday.
It's New to Us: Alternate Histories Prints [UPDATE]
Alternate Histories is the brainchild of Pittsburgh artist Matthew Buchholz, who has taken his love of history, art and science fiction to create a past that never existed.
New Monument Commemorates Rainbow Beach Wade-In
The city opened all parks and beaches to all citizens in 1960, but beaches such as Rainbow remained off-limits to blacks, who avoided the open hostility of lifeguards and white beach-goers.

