My first visit to Chicago I went to see the Wrigley Building. After that I found more non tourist…read moretype places to visit during trips to Chicago. It is certainly a historic landmark. You must go at least once. I'm in for anything with the Wrigley name!

Built in the 1920's for Wrigley the gum magnet in downtown Chicago. It's known for its Spanish…read moreColonial Revival style, featuring 2 towers & a distinctive white terra cotta facade. It was the first air conditioned building in the city. In the 1957 science fiction film Beginning of the End, giant grasshoppers attack downtown, are shown climbing up the side of the Wrigley Building.

After I learned the hard way that the South Side Community Art Center and the Bronzeville Visitor…read moreInformation Center were BOTH closed on a frosty January Sunday, my botched attempt to observe the spirit of Martin Luther King Day by learning about African-American history culminated with a misguided visit to Douglas Tomb. From a few blocks away I looked up in awe at the 9' bronze statue atop a towering 46' monument. It wasn't until I entered the park gate that I realized my latest mistake: not only did this guy spell his last name with one 's', but he was also white. I.e., not Frederick Douglass. [smacks self on forehead] The man who holds a high perch on the eastern fringe of the Bronzeville neighborhood goes by the name Stephen A. Douglas. Douglas was a prominent white local landowner in the area long before Bronzeville became known as the mecca of African-American history. A lifelong politician, he played a significant role in establishing America's western territories and railroads before losing the presidential election to Abe Lincoln in 1860. Douglas' belief in popular sovereignty, i.e. the notion that new territories should be allowed to individually decide on slavery by popular vote, ultimately led to his political downfall. Here at the monument, one can stand over the sarcophagus containing Douglas' dead body and carry on the longstanding scholarly debate about whether Douglas was *personally* opposed to slavery; some argue his name and monument should be removed, while others are dedicated to preserving his legacy. Even on Yelp, if you search for either the community area Douglas or the neighborhood Bronzeville, you'll see the two names superimposed on top of each other. We all know that nice guys don't get statuized, though, and with Douglas' gaze fixed at more than 50' above ground it's impossible to look him in the eye to properly judge the nuances of his character. Only one fact was and remains as true as this monument is high: the guy was prominent.

I have visited Douglas Park many times because I'm a historian of Douglas and a board member of the…read moreStephen A. Douglas Association. It's a beautiful park, very peaceful, and for several years now it has been home to the Bronzeville Historical Society, which is headquartered there. You can learn a great deal about African-American history in Chicago by talking with the charismatic founder and CEO of the society, Sherry Williams, or by settling into the upstairs library and picking out a good book. Sherry is also very knowledgeable about Douglas, his family's slaves, and the underground railroad. As an additional bonus, the park is only a short walk from the lakeshore because it is the terminus of a pedestrian bridge that runs over the railroad tracks and the highway (the bridge is currently in the process of being replaced by a spectacular suspension bridge for both bikers and pedestrians). Moreover, since October 2014, the park features a feature-length film on Douglas that can be seen at the site if the Bronzeville Historical Society is open. I produced and directed the film, which is titled "Stephen A. Douglas and the Fate of American Democracy," and which interweaves the story of Douglas' life and that of the nation from the Revolution to the Civil War. The film was made with the cooperation of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, and received a 2015 Award of Superior Achievement from the Illinois State Historical Society. It features voice acting from leading Douglas and Lincoln reenactors, clips from five historians, and several hundred images drawn from several dozen archival collections, including the Stephen A. Douglas Papers at the University of Chicago. There is no charge to enter the park, to watch the film, or to visit the Bronzeville Historical Society. All are welcome! If possible, however, come when Sherry is on site. She's a truly engaging human being. The phone number of the society is 312-428-8033. Graham Peck

I would have to double-check but I know I have been to the Hollyhock House in Hollywood and…read moreTaliesin West last year with the wife. I have been a fan of FLW for decades and have collected books and attended furniture/furnishings exhibits when available. The tour with guide Chris of the exterior and interior was exceptional. He pointed out the logic behind the design and things that could be missed by those not paying attention or in the FLW mindset. He gave us a lot of other interesting details that I was unaware of or forgot tied to this house. It is located right next to the University of Chicago campus which was cool. The area is very pretty. The house has been restored and is in very good shape overall. It is a must-see for FLW fans. The wife picked up a Craftsman pin, and I bought a Craftsman metal bookmark in the gift shop so I would have something to remember the time spent here. The cost is fair for what it is.

Loved the architecture and we had an excellent tour guide…read more I was disappointed by the lack of furniture as other houses and FLW buildings I have visited have at least been partially staged. The tour is mostly just for the building. I also wish there had also been more story about FLW himself and his involvement in the Robie house design. I understand that much of the house was not preserved as the Robie family lived in the house only for a year and then it moved on to multiple other owners so I can't be too critical, but part of what I love about FLW buildings is that he doesn't just design buildings, but living (or working) spaces. We loved the Laurent house, Taliesin/West and the SE Johnson buildings for that reason. I also would love to see the outdoor areas of the Robie house in better shape, with nicer landscaping to bring it back to where FLW would have imagined it. Hopefully with the foundation's involvement and continued patronage it will be what all FLW fans would wish for soon! Worth a visit for sure!

I stopped by here one evening before grabbing food at a nearby restaurant. I only became aware of…read moreit as I was looking at Google maps and seeing what places were around the area of an event I attended. In today's climate, its importance to have this remembrance of tragedies and the importance of black lives! You cannot get very close to it but close enough to take a picture. I actually had difficulty finding it. It is near a whole alley of murals, which was great. If you're in the area, check it out!

This mural by Michelle Huang has found a home I uptown behind the Chicago Market Coop (you'll see…read moreit from the street, but can enter their parking lot to see it more fully). The history of this piece is interesting: Businesses in Uptown were preemptively boarding up their storefronts in the midst of BLM protests in 2020. Huang took that opportunity to create this work in solidarity. At such time as the boards came down, the neighborhood organization Uptown United salvaged this work and installed it in its permanent home. I live on the cusp of Lincoln Square, Uptown, and Edgewater, so I consider this part of my greater neighborhood. I have a great love of public art, particularly murals. Huang's work is beautiful. I love Chicago's neighborhoods and their strong sense of identity and pride, and am so thankful that Uptown United took the care to preserve this work made to honor these individuals who were taken so violently, and for us to remember. #578 - October 17, 2021

The Tribune Tower is a 463 ft tall,, 36 floor neo-Gothic skyscraper. The early 1920s international…read moredesign competition for the tower became a historic event in 20th-century architecture. It was built & named for the f Chicago Tribune owner, The Tribune Tower Is a residential & office building. Almost 150 fragments from famous structures & historic sites around the world are embedded in Tribune Tower's first story walls. Chunks of the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramid of Cheops and the Berlin Wall are visible here.

Chicago Tribune Building---Slices of History, Both Inside and Out…read more Spend some time exploring this neo-Gothic landmark on Michigan Avenue. It was built based on a contest that awarded architects prize money totaling $100,000, including a $50,000 first place award which was substantial considering some workers at the time made $1 per day. On the outer walls of the building, there are slices of places from around the world-such as the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, the Parthenon, Hagia Sophia, the Palace of Westminster, petrified wood from the Redwood National and State Parks, the Great Pyramid, The Alamo, Notre Dame de Paris, Abraham Lincoln's Tomb, Independence Hall, and the Berlin Wall. More recently a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center was added to the wall. So much fun exploring and discovering new landmarks on each visit. On the inside in entrance lobby, the walls have famous quotes related to freedom of speech and the press. More restricted access due to the Tribune Tower being converted into multimillion-dollar luxury apartments. Still a great place to see slices of history.

The Chicago waterfront buildings shaped like corn cobs are the Marina City Towers, a distinctive…read moremixed-use complex located on the Chicago River at 300 North State Street. Designed by architect Bertrand Goldberg, the twin, petal-shaped towers were completed in the mid-1960s and are a landmark of Modernist architecture, originally built to revitalize downtown living. The House of Blues & Legal Seafood are in the lobby of these towers.

Often volunteer for a lot of different events, both work related and other. When I received an…read moreemail to sign up for the Pullman Railroad Days, I did not hesitate. The forecast said rain and it was cloudy for all of forty-two minutes . When the sun appeared it was blazing. I had to wrap my jacket around my waist. My job was both a greeter at the gate and a ticket checker for the walking tours. If there were more than eight in a group, I was able to tag along. Seeing the old Pullman cars at the 111th Street platform was a special treat. Being able to walk through, tour, sit in the seats and hear a bit of the history behind the creation was priceless. True luxury and comfort for overnight traveling. By the way, we are allowed to charter a car through Amtrak. Call for pricing. Hotel Florence was beautiful, so many original structures still in place. Each step of the walking tour was a rich piece of history. We even spoke with one of the home owners sitting on their porch. Even the information center was like a museum. Beautiful memoirs of the past strategically placed through out. I will definitely do it again next year. I had so much fun.

Great site as a history buff while visiting Chicago the history of the Pullman porter that allowed…read moreblack men and women travel cross country as domestic

Centerpiece of the Logan Square green space is this column. It certainly is an impressive work out…read moreart and an important part of area history. The Illinois Centennial Memorial Column is the meaning of this large structure. A lot of interesting facts about it. You can find out more online. Basic story about it is this was placed here to celebrate the State of Illinois' 100th anniversary. It was built in 1918 and designed by Henry Bacon, the architect of the Lincoln Memorial. This is the main attraction of Logan Square. It's known as a Doric column. On the base are reliefs of Ceres, Daniel Boone, and Hiawatha. At the top is an eagle. This is a reference of the state flag, which has an eagle on it. Alongside the column is a flagpole. There's a concrete plaque dedicated to soldiers who died in WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. Also the column is based on the proportions and scale of the Parthenon's colonnade. This explains the use of the figures of Greek mythology. Also there's a few seating structures around it. This makes it a good place for a rest and stuff. Have to get a closer look to appreciate the craftsmanship and history. It's certainly a very impressive structure. There's lots of history to read up on about this so you can go check out more about the architect who made this and other things.

If you have ever visited Logan Square neighborhood, a key site that stands out in the inner portion…read moreof the neighborhood is the Illinois Centennial Monument because of its height and intriguing design. Built in 1918, the monument was honored 100 years of Illinois statehood, designed by Henry Bacon, famed architect of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Evelyn Beatrice Longman sculpted the eagle, along with the bas reliefs of the base, which the eagle measures ten feet in height. I tend to utilize this monument as my key landmark while running or cycling in the Logan Square neighborhood. Since I have been a fitness enthusiast for well over a decade, I have always made historic landmarks like the Illinois Centennial Monument my key point during workouts because it adds extra enthusiasm to the adventure. From my perspective select parts like this of Logan Square are perfect for a cyclist because it is scenic, and Logan Boulevard is not too shabby of a road for road or triathlon bikes, plus it has a good stretch to it from the monument towards Bucktown & Wicker Park neighborhood. Most people tend to just walk through the area of the Illinois Centennial Monument, but it looks to be the perfect place where you can relax and read a book. The monument itself has no individual parking of its own, but if you ever wish to view it up close, there are several businesses surrounding in the area that are open for you to park, as well as neighborhood parking. Thomas G