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What’s that dead zone in the 19th Ward?
There’s a hole in the map of Chicago. It turns out, it’s a cemetery. But there are many other cemeteries in Chicago that don’t show up as holes on th…
11 months, 1 week ago
The tale of the two-flat
You know the building: Two stories, an apartment unit on each floor, usually with bay windows and a facade of brick or greystone. But how did the two…
11 months, 2 weeks ago
‘Women adrift’: How single women lived independently in early Chicago
At the turn of the century in Chicago, single women without a husband or family were considered to be "adrift," but they weren’t drifting at all. The…
11 months, 2 weeks ago
‘Friendship set to music’: Curious City goes square dancing on the South Side
It’s a Thursday night and a group of folks in Washington Heights do-si-do to the bassline from “Shake Your Groove Thing” by Peaches & Herb. Square da…
11 months, 3 weeks ago
Square dance clubs used to be bumping on the weekends
Square dancing was once so popular that a center opened in the suburbs dedicated to the hobby. Today, veteran dancers are trying to recruit new fans.
11 months, 3 weeks ago
Is your local mall dying, thriving or evolving?
Malls hold a special spot in the hearts of many Americans of a certain age. One may have been the setting for your first date, the place you caught a…
11 months, 4 weeks ago
What was Ford City Mall like in its heyday?
Vacant shops and faded signs, Ford City Mall is in the process of being sold. But this shell of a shopping center was once a bustling hub, especially…
11 months, 4 weeks ago
What happened after a dangerous year inside Cook County Jail
The year 2023 was a deadly one at the Cook County Jail. Eighteen people died in custody, “for many reasons,” said reporter Carlos Ballesteros, who re…
1 year ago
What is that supply tent outside of Cook County Jail?
Almost every night, a group of volunteers sets up a table of supplies. Their goal is to assist everyone who is being released; from bottled water to …
1 year ago
Apple slices are a nearly forgotten piece of Chicago pastry history
Apple slices were a favorite Chicago pastry decades ago. Not many bakeries sell them today, but the dessert still has avid fans who hold on to its no…
1 year ago