Why Chicago’s Depression-Era School Murals Sparked Debates About Art And Politics For 80 Years
Some were called Communist, while others have been called out for lack of diversity.
Episodes
Curious City
Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.
Episodes
Nicky’s And The Big Baby Mystery Part II: We Found Nicky V.!
Our recent search for the origins of a famous South burger hit a dead end — until the elusive Nicky Vagenas finally came forward.
Chicago’s Race Riots Of 1919 Contributed To The Segregation We See Today
Choices made in the wake of the violence set a foundation for the racial inequality the city continues to grapple with.
Why Chicago Had Race Riots During The ‘Red Summer’ Of 1919
Long-brewing racial tensions came to a head one hot summer day, when a black boy was drowned near a whites-only beach.
The Heart Of The City: Finding Chicago’s Geographic Center
It smells like garbage and gym shoes, but, surprisingly, the city’s geographic center says a lot about Chicago’s soul.
Did A WWII Nuclear Experiment Make The U Of C Radioactive?
We used a Geiger counter to see if we could detect any radiation footprint from the site of the first sustained nuclear chain reaction.
The Scoop On Poop At Chicago’s Beaches
Use our handy guide to determine which Chicago beaches are safe for swimming, and when to proceed with caution.
Nicky’s And The Big Baby: A South Side Burger Mystery
Dozens of unconnected fast food joints serve up the same popular Chicago cheeseburger under the same name. Where did it all begin?
Did City Officials Know About The Manhattan Project’s Work In Chicago?
A key experiment in the development of the atom bomb was hidden in plain sight on University of Chicago’s campus. Who was in on the secret?
Here's Harold! (The Robot Edition)
The DuSable Museum says — creepy or not — its Harold Washington robot will teach you a thing or two about the city’s first African-American mayor.
How Is Chicago Doing On Its Ambitious 2020 Climate Goals?
Back in 2008, Mayor Richard M. Daley’s plan to make Chicago “the greenest city in America” by 2020 made national news. How’s that going?
Caps On Or Off? Pizza Boxes OK? Answers To 10 Common Chicago Recycling Questions
Think you know all the recycling rules? Think again. Check out this quick guide to some common dos and don’ts of Chicago recycling.
From Vienna Beef To PBR: Five Food And Drink Legacies Of The 1893 World's Fair
Lots of items in your local grocery aisle claim to have been at the 1893 World's Fair. We piece together these savory origin stories.
How Chicago Women Created The World’s First Juvenile Justice System
The U.S. legal system treated children the same as adults until the late 19th century, when a group of Chicago women demanded change.
Chicago’s Tornado-Proof Delusion
Yes, tornadoes can hit Chicago. Why do so many people think otherwise?
How My Grandparents Helped Shape Chicago’s Blues Industry
Like millions of black Southerners during the Great Migration, they sought greater freedom and opportunity. They found it in the blues.
It’s Complicated: The University Of Chicago’s Relationship With Its Neighbors
Community activists and a university representative reflect on why the relationship has been difficult in the past and where it stands now.
Stories Behind CTA ‘L’ Lines’ Strange Curves, Dips and Twists
Here’s who and what to blame if you spill your coffee on your commute....
A Tavern On (Almost) Every Corner: Why Did So Many Chicago Bars Disappear?
Demographic shifts, changes in attitudes towards public drinking and the politics of the Daley family led to the shuttering of many Chicago bars.
BAM! A Pothole Damaged Your Car! Now What?
It takes a lot of information and a lot of patience, but here’s what you need to know to get reimbursed from the city.
These Four Design Ideas Turned ‘The Hancock Center’ Into An Iconic Skyscraper
Bruce Graham and Fazlur Khan changed the way architects and engineers thought about the structure of the modern skyscraper.
Your Guide To Chicago Music History’s Greatest Hits: Part II
Part I of our CliffsNotes guide to Chicago music history included jazz, folk, Latin, and gospel. Here, we present four more genres.
Your Guide To Chicago Music History’s Greatest Hits
A former CPS student wishes kids learned more about Chicago’s rich music history. So here’s a CliffsNotes music guide. Happy listening!
How Do You Find Out If Your Neighborhood Is Contaminated With Lead Pollution?
Northwest Indiana resident Beth Braun wants to know whether lead emissions from the nearby steel mill are landing in her backyard.
What Are Chicago’s Oldest Laws?
Did you know you can’t perform in a window or dye a baby chick? We feature nine of Chicago’s most obscure laws.
From Mickey Mouse To Oprah: What Chicagoans Write In On Election Day
Election judges don’t usually count votes for cartoon mice or celebrities, but there was one exception. We took a peek.
To Chicago, With Love: What Do Transplants Love About The City?
One Chicagoan wants to know what people who moved to Chicago love about the city. From fireflies to marathons, here’s what they have to say.
Chicago’s Dill Pickle Club: Where Anarchists Mixed With Doctors And Poets
The Dill Pickle wasn’t just any old 1920s nightclub. It opened its doors to queer Chicagoans and other marginalized groups.
The Gold Star Sardine Bar: The Rise And Fall Of A Chicago Jazz Club
The story of one Chicago grocery store tycoon’s dream for jazz music, movie stars, and bygone glamour.
Buying Black Then And Now: What’s The History Of Black-Owned Business Signs In Chicago?
From boycotts to hashtags, Curious City traces the history of a 150-year-old message urging the black community to support black businesses.