The ‘L’ – Roots of a Chicago Landmark
The ‘L’ system is the centerpiece of Chicago’s mass transit system. From the tight corners and subways of the Loop to the farthest terminus stations, the ‘L’ ties Chicago together. According to the Chicago Transit Authority, the total system is 102.8 miles long and carried 238.45 million fares in 2014. That makes it one of the largest and […]
What Was the Opening Day of the 1893 World’s Fair Like?
The opening day of the 1893 World’s Fair was a big deal! Chicago welcomed visitors from around the world to the opening ceremony of the World’s Columbian Exposition on May 1st. We’re celebrating with a special event, “A Day at the 1893 World’s Fair” virtual tour on April 30 or May 9. In this one-hour virtual event we […]
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 […]
Four Truly Patriotic Forgotten Chicago Figures You Must Know
We’re celebrating the Fourth of July by acknowledging four forgotten Chicago patriots. These long-gone American heroes dedicated their lives to those truths we hold to be self-evident: that all are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In their honor, we’re shining a light on […]
Before Lincoln Yards: Chicago Mega-development History
Lincoln Yards, the controversial mega-development on the North Branch of the Chicago River, is just one of many enormous projects across the city. The sites, built by private developers with infusions of public money, aim to build entire neighborhoods from scratch. Obviously, these are “no little plans” as Daniel Burnham might say, and they have […]
Where’s the Historic Marker for the Infamous 1968 DNC?
The 1968 DNC (Democratic National Convention) is among the most infamous and miserable events in Chicago’s history. Cops beating protestors. “The whole world is watching!” Mayor Daley sweating bullets and cussing out politicians. The DNC felt, still feels, like the culmination of an era. Post-war America ended in a sweaty convention hall and the contentious […]
Hot Dogs on Memorial Day, Oscar Mayer Has a Way…
Countless Oscar Mayer wieners will be grilled this Memorial Day weekend, though there’s no guarantee that they’ll be prepared as a Chicago style hot dog of course. Oscar Mayer – which originated in Chicago – was a pioneering master at advertising and brand identity. Countless millions consume their hot dogs, sausages, bacon and deli meats. Indeed, Oscar […]
Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the 1893 World’s Fair
The 125th anniversary of the 1893 World’s Fair is this year! In fact, Chicago welcomed visitors from around the world to the opening ceremony of the World’s Columbian Exposition on this day 125 years ago. We explore some of the fair’s incredible legacy during our 1893 World’s Fair Tour every week. The nerds at Chicago Detours […]
Five Ways to Appreciate Chicago’s Historic Buildings
Chicago’s historic buildings are a three-dimensional manifestation of our city’s history and culture. If these buildings could talk, they would have endless stories to tell about the city and the many people that have passed through. Read here to learn how to better understand the architecture around you, and imagine, if Chicago’s buildings were among the […]
Questions from our World’s Fair Tour on Today’s Anniversary
In the 18 months since it launched, we’ve had tons of guests discover a huge piece of Chicago’s history on our “1893 World’s Fair Tour with Bars.” As anyone who has joined us knows, our guides always encourage questions from guests. Accordingly, we’ve been doing some fun research on the questions from our World’s Fair […]
