Curious City

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**Curious City**

Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.

Latest Episodes:

Are News Boxes A Thing Of The Past? Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

You’ll only see news boxes for free publications around today, but those papers are important for many people.

The First Black-Owned And Operated Airport Was In Robbins Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

The Chicago area played a key role in Black aviation in the early 1900s. The founders of the first Black-owned airport learned to fly in Chicago and went on to teach thousands of others.

Who’s Behind The CTA Holiday Train? Santa And The Elves! Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

The CTA Holiday Train started from humble beginnings. Then a holiday celebrity and his helpers turned it into a Chicago tradition.

How Did Indian Boundary Park Get Its Name? Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

Indian Boundary Park on the city’s far north side is a symbol of Chicago’s complicated history with Indigenous people. We’ll explore that history, and current efforts to correct past wrongs.

Two Tasty Treats For Thanksgiving Feasts Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

As you prepare to gather around the dinner table, Curious City brings you a couple of delicious food stories. First, we visit some Mexican bakeries around the city. Then, we go hunting for a long lost fried chicken recipe.

Spare Rooms And Shared Spaces; Migrants Scramble To Find Housing Ahead Of Winter Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

Thousands of newly arrived migrants are sleeping in tents or shelters in Chicago. But with winter approaching, some residents are offering space in their homes. Curious City takes a look at the small scale housing alternatives migrants are taking.

What Happened To Chicago’s Cuban Community? Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

Following the Cuban Revolution, many Cubans ended up settling in Chicago neighborhoods like Edgewater and Logan Square. Today, the community isn’t as visible as it is in places like Miami and New York City. We’ll look at what drew Cubans to Illinois and what sets Chicago’s Cuban community apart from others in the U.S.

Bar Culture on the Big and Small Screen: Curious City Live from Goose Island Barrelhouse Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

In October, Curious City teamed up with the Chicago Brewseum to talk about important bar scenes in film and television. The Brewseum’s Liz Garibay and writer Mark Caro join Curious City’s Jason Marck for some of the highlights of the evening that revolved around Chicago bars.

The Haunting Of East Pilsen Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Curious City asked listeners for their paranormal experiences, and it turns out Chicago is pretty spooky. We explore the supernatural in one family’s home in Pilsen. Is that the sound of a house settling, or could it be spirits?

How Can We Keep Chicago And Our Basements Above Water? Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Basements fill with stormwater and sewage when a big storm hits. Why is this happening, and what can be done to prevent it?