Sip Hot Chocolate in These 4 Historic Spots
Cozying up with a mug of hot chocolate is an absolute must in the midst of a long Chicago winter. So why not check out some fascinating historic architecture while tracking down that mug of bliss? Here are four places to enjoy excellent hot chocolate in fascinating historic spots. Cheers! We research stories from Chicago history, architecture […]
Take a Free Self-Guided William LeBaron Jenney Walking Tour
William LeBaron Jenney designed the world’s first steel-frame skyscraper in 1885, creating a new style of construction which would come to define the city. You can still see some of his groundbreaking architectural masterpieces in downtown Chicago using this free self-guided William LeBaron Jenney walking tour. As the inventor of the skyscraper, Jenney trained talented young […]
Five Things to Do in Chicago’s Financial District
Chicago’s Financial District, centered on LaSalle Street in the Loop, is the fulcrum of the heartland’s economic engines. Looming skyscrapers form a canyon-like effect down LaSalle, which ends abruptly with the Art Deco masterpiece of the Board of Trade on Jackson. Floridly-dressed commodity traders at the Board of Trade, regulators at the Chicago Fed, and […]
Which Chicago Building Matches Your Zodiac Sign?
It’s easy to talk about Chicago architecture. Names, dates, styles, stories. The hard facts of history and design make our jobs as Chicago tour guides very tangible. But what about the other side? The ineffable, mysterious, or spiritual sides of Chicago architecture? Well, we don’t go in for ghost stories very often, but another idea occurred to us. […]
Preservation Battle Over Lincoln Park’s Second Church of Christ, Scientist
The Second Church of Christ, Scientist in Lincoln Park is at the center of a bubbling preservation battle. The congregation has shrunk precipitously and can no longer afford their historic venue. Thus, a battle has erupted between the forces of architectural preservation, led by the venerable Preservation Chicago, and those of commercial development. It is […]
The 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Inspired “America the Beautiful”
Few today know that the later verses of “America the Beautiful” include a reference to the White City of the 1893 World’s Fair. The Fourth of July always puts us in the mood for some patriotic history. One of our favorite stories of Americana popped up last year. That’s when while researching the 1893 World’s […]