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Chicago skyline from Sky Deck Chicago

Living Landmarks

Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, located in the former Chicago Varnish Company building, designed by Henry Ives Cobb

Bootleggers, Tee-totalers, and Egg-throwing Apes: stories from Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse

Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse sits on the northwest corner of Block 1. The restaurant opened in 1987, but the story of this location is much, much older. The first time you see the building at the southeast corner of Kinzie and Dearborn, you’ll do a double-take. Then a triple. You’ll realize you’re staring. “There’s a …

Bootleggers, Tee-totalers, and Egg-throwing Apes: stories from Harry Caray’s Italian SteakhouseRead More

Hull House Museum

Making the World a Better Place: the Story of Hull-House and Jane Addams

Hull-House Museum showcases the works of Jane Addams, Ellen Gates Starr, and several other prominent philanthropists and activists. Learn the stories behind these women and the house itself. In the late 1800s, wealthy Americans toured Europe. It was the cosmopolitan thing to do. For many, it was a shopping trip, and today’s museums are filled …

Making the World a Better Place: the Story of Hull-House and Jane AddamsRead More

Newberry Library in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago

The Story Behind the Stacks: How Newberry Library Came to Be

Learn the story behind Newberry Library, one of the best research libraries for humanities in the world. Walter Loomis Newberry was the kind of man who prepared. Before moving to Chicago in 1833, he’d already invested in real estate. The town was barely a town, but Walter went ahead and plunked down some cash for …

The Story Behind the Stacks: How Newberry Library Came to BeRead More

Chicago Water Tower

Chicago’s Symbol of Hope: the Historic Water Tower

The historic Water Tower stands tall above Michigan Avenue. Learn the story behind this Living Landmark. In a city of symbols, the one that most emphatically says “Chicago” is the historic Water Tower. One of the few buildings to remain standing after the great Chicago fire, the tower and pumping station are portrayed as representatives of …

Chicago’s Symbol of Hope: the Historic Water TowerRead More

Glessner House Museum in the South Loop of Chicago, the last design by Henry Hobson Richardson

Glessner House: a Remarkable Home for a Remarkable Family

The Glessner House is a remarkable home designed by H.H. Richardson. Meet the family who defied wealthy Victorian-era stereotypes. The building on the corner of 18th and Prairie is like a lava cake rolled in a thick layer of coarsely chopped nuts. On the outside, it’s crunchy and looks like it could hurt you. But …

Glessner House: a Remarkable Home for a Remarkable FamilyRead More

Grand staircase entrance of the Nickerson Mansion in Chicago Gold Coast, now the Driehaus Museum

Driehaus Museum: The Story Behind the $100,000,000 Mansion

Learn the story behind the Driehaus Museum, one of Chicago’s most impressive – and expensive – landmarks. When Samuel and Matilda Nickerson decided to build their new home in 1879 they did not mess around. They chose the hottest neighborhood, the best architect, and the safest and most expensive materials they could find. The Nickersons …

Driehaus Museum: The Story Behind the $100,000,000 MansionRead More

Palmer House Hilton Lobby

Palmer House Hilton: Myths & Romance in Chicago’s Oldest Hotel

The Palmer House is opulence defined. Its chandeliers and sculptures weigh a ton, literally. Entering the lobby through the travertine double staircase is like being smacked on one cheek with history and on the other with affluence. To state the obvious, it’s gorgeous, and it is the most historic and luxurious hotel lobby in Chicago. …

Palmer House Hilton: Myths & Romance in Chicago’s Oldest HotelRead More

Fine Arts Building photo circa 1900

Fine Arts Building: a Vertical Arts Colony and Madhouse of Creativity

Learn the story behind Chicago’s vibrant crucible of artists, dreamers, and doers.

Fine Arts Building: a Vertical Arts Colony and Madhouse of CreativityRead More

Aerial view of Grant Park, photo courtesy Choose Chicago

Grant Park: the Making of Chicago’s Front Yard

Find out why it took over a century and several lawsuits to create this Chicago centerpiece.

Grant Park: the Making of Chicago’s Front YardRead More

LondonHouse Chicago in the London Guarantee and Accident Building

LondonHouse Chicago: It Starts Here

Experience luxury and history in this 1923 landmark building.

LondonHouse Chicago: It Starts HereRead More

Mural of Benjamin Marshall in About Last Knife, the restaurant inside Hotel Julian Chicago

Hotel Julian Chicago: From Demolition-danger to Luxurious Lodgings

How an abandoned building designed by one of Chicago’s preeminent architects found new life.

Hotel Julian Chicago: From Demolition-danger to Luxurious LodgingsRead More

Clarke House Museum is considered Chicago's oldest house. Learn the story behind this 1836 Greek Revival home.

Fortitude and Grit: the Story of Clarke House Museum, Chicago’s Oldest House

The Clarke House Museum tells a remarkable story.

Fortitude and Grit: the Story of Clarke House Museum, Chicago’s Oldest HouseRead More

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