Walk Chicago Tours (2024)

15/02/2024

walkchicagotours.om...A SLICE OF CHICAGO PIZZA HISTORY...City hall says there are 1,923 dedicated pizza restaurants in Chicago. Gino's East, at 162 E. Superior St., established in 1966, is one of the city's most popular pizza palaces. Gino's was founded by taxi drivers, Fred Bartoli and Sam Levine along with friend, Sicilian-born, George Loverde. It was the unique dough recipe that separated Gino's pizza from the others. The unique crust was the creation of kitchen manager, Alice Mae Redmond, a very talented African-American pizza chef who invented a secret "dough conditioner" which separated Gino's deep dish from that of all its competitors.. Some say Alice Mae Redmond invented the deep dish pizza. But truly, no one really knows who did. Alice Mae left our world in 2009. Viva Gino's East !...and God bless Alice Mae Redmond... wherever she is.
.... 's East... ...

28/07/2023

walkchicagotours.com....THIS IS NOT YOUR FATHER'S HARDWARE STORE....The 3 Arts Club (1914 ) at 1300 N. Dearborn, in the heart of the Gold Coast. once served as a private residence for young ladies studying the arts...music, dance and the visual arts. Today it is the home to one of Chicago's most unique retail experiences. Popularly known today as "The RH", Restoration Hardware has created one of the most hospitable commercial environments in all of America. The RH is a mecca for design concepts and interior design products and does its business in a very compelling and comfortable setting. Clients can dine in its courtyard cafe, visit its music venue, take part in its wine tasting room or lounge in its roof top garden.. Yes...it is not your dad's hardware store. This is a whole new approach. .

29/12/2022

walkchicagotours.com....WHAT DO WE KNOW FOR SURE ABOUT THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE OF 1871? We know two things for sure. The fire did indeed start inside the barn on the O'Leary property at 137 De Koven Street (picture #1). And, we also now know for sure that Catherine O'Leary had nothing to do with the starting of the fire. After extensive research, the Chicago city council exonerated Catherine in 1997 stating that all previous accusations were baseless. How the fire started remains an enthralling mystery. A few years later, in an effort to avoid the endless persecution and undesired "celebrity ", the O'Learys moved to 5133 S. Halsted St. (no pic) However, unsubstantiated urban lore claims that the O'Leary's son, Jim. a notorious gambling baron, built his family a mansion at 726 W. Garfield Boulevard (pic #2). The cause of the fire and the accurate history of the O'Leary family are lost in a morass of inaccuracies, prejudices and sensationalism. The original O'Leary property is now the site of the Chicago Fire Academy (pic #3). Chicago respects its legacy.

08/11/2022

walkchicagotours.com....In Washington Park, just west of the intersection of Midway Plaisance (59th St.) and Cottage Grove Avenue, on the western border of the University of Chicago campus, stands one of Chicago's most impressive sculptures. It is Lorado Taft's colossal FOUNTAIN of TIME. Created in Taft's studio on the campus of the University of Chicago, it has stood against the elements since 1920. Made of concrete and quartz gravel from the Potomac River, its 100 sculpted figures represent the passage from birth to old age. It was a grand idea that still teaches us about the inevitable passage of time.

22/09/2022

walkchicagotours.com...SPORTS FIGURES BURIED AT GRACELAND CEMETERY....Graceland Cemetery (Clark St./ Irving Park Rd.) is the final resting place for many of the most significant personalities in Chicago history, including notable sports figures. The resting place of Ernie Banks, perhaps one of Chicago's most optimistic ambassadors, gathers many visitors. One of Ernie's game-used fielding gloves is encased in concrete and securely bolted to the top of his monument. An unusual baseball-shaped gravestone marks the resting place of William Hulbert (1832-1888), founder of the National League and former president of the Chicago White Stockings.. The White Stockings later became the Chicago Cubs.

30/07/2022

walkchicagotours.com...WHAT LIES BELOW ?
This photo of construction at Adams and Wacker is an excellent visual proof of the multipurpose potential in the underground levels of downtown Chicago. Note the concrete caissons that support sidewalks and streets. Also notice the depth of the excavation as illustrated by the position of two workers in the photo's foreground. They stand on limestone bedrock... the fossilized floor of ancient Lake Michigan. The photo is the realization that when walking or driving in the Loop area you are actually using an elevated , completely artificial surface far above Chicago's natural topographical level. What incredible engineering ! What an amazement our great city is !

14/07/2022

walkchicagotours:com...HAVE YOU MISSED TWO OF CHICAGO'S OLDEST FRIENDS ? The Art Institute of Chicago's iconic lions have been on a brief visit to the sculpture "spa" for the full rejuvenation treatment....high pressure steam cleaning, a protective waxing, and a thorough inspection for rust and corrosion. The lions are the work of renown animal sculptor, Edward Kemys. They have been sitting on their elevated plinths at the entrance to the Art Institute since 1893 when the building served as a reception center for the World's Fair...129 years of exposure to the elements. Each 5.100 lb. sculpted lion has a name, more so a designation describing their poses. The lion on the north is "Prowler"...mouth open, back raised, tail down, ready to spring. The lion on the south is "Defiance"...tail up, mouth closed, looking into the distance for signs of danger. Both of our friends will be back at the end of July,2022. and once again they will proudly greet you on Michigan Avenue. All of us have missed them.

06/06/2022

walkchicagotours.com: THE UNIVERSITY of CHICAGO AND THE NUCLEAR AGE....This sculpture by artist Henry Moore is known as "Nuclear Energy" and is located on Ellis Avenue in the heart of the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus. It is an abstract interpretation of a mushroom cloud and a human skull. It marks the spot where Enrico Fermi and his team of physicists harnessed the power of the atom and accomplished what some historians say was the most significant scientific achievement in the history of world science. The sculpture stands on the very spot of Fermi's improvised nuclear reactor. Fermi accomplished the first controlled nuclear reaction and initiated the beginning of the nuclear age ...for better or worse. Hundreds of pedestrians pass the location each day. How many realize the impact of Fermi's experiment and the ways in which it changed the world ?

11/05/2022

walkchicagotours.com. CHICAGO'S GREATEST LOVE STORIES. The Obamas' first kiss...53rd and Dorchester, Hyde Park. Put your political convictions aside for just one minute. There have been famous couples in Chicago history whose love affairs transcend mere urban lore. Perhaps the original Chicago love story would be that of Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable and his Potowatomi bride, Kitihawa. And certainly, the stormiest of all Chicago love affairs would have been that of author Nelson Algren and his lover, Simone de Beauvoir. But most recently the story of the very public romance of Michelle and Barack Obama has reached a legendary level. The lore describing their "First Kiss" is just one episode for which all of America was a witness. # Obamafirstkiss

13/04/2022

walkchicagotours.com...THE STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC..."Big Mary" by American sculptor, David Chester French,1893. This 65 ft. tall plaster statue covered in gold leaf stood upon a 40ft tall pedestal in the Court of Honor at Chicago's 1893 World's Fair making it second in height to only the Statue of Liberty. Surrounded by the Fair's largest buildings and standing in the reflective waters of the Venetian lagoon, " Big Mary" was a centerpiece of pride. Unfortunately, "Big Mary" was destroyed by fire in 1896. The city re-commissioned French to recreate her on a smaller scale. Presently, "Golden Lady" sits in Jackson Park at the intersection of Richardson and Hayes Drives just west of Lake Shore-Du Sable Drive. Pay "Big Mary II" a visit. She is quite impressive.

21/03/2022

UNDERRGROUND CHICAGO: walkchicagotours.com Many native Chicagoans are unaware that there is indeed an underground Chicago (see cross section illustration). Closest to the surface, roughly 15 feet below street level, there lies 5.5
miles of Pedway System, a "walkway" lined with a variety of enterprises. It is used most often by the Loop labor force as they avoid inclement weather, or as a hassle-free shortcut to lunch or nearby commuter stations. Next is the subway level. Below the Subway is a layering of utility tunnels . And finally, at nearly 57 feet below the surface, lies the obsolete mini-train tunnel maze that expedited the delivery of mail, coal and cargo, In total there are 60+ miles of cavernous space between street level and the true topographical foundation of the Loop business district.
Subterranean Chicago's tunnel system is one of the nation's most impressive urban engineering accomplishments.
'stunnelsystem #

28/02/2022

walkchicagotours.com. CINESPACE : Believe it or not ,Chicago was Hollywood before there was a Hollywood.. Between1907 and 1915, Essanay Studios on the far North Side, was the silent film capital of world. Essanay's major star was Charllie Chaplin, filmdom's biggest ticket. Today, Chicago Cinespace, in the North Lawndale area, is thriving as a film production site. Covering 60 acres, it houses 51 stages in1,45 million square feet of the old Ryerson Steel facility. Cinespace is the largest film production site outside of Hollywood. Some of your favorites have been produced there...Superman-The Battle Begins, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Transformers and Empire. #

16/01/2022

POLICEMAN BELLINGER'S COTTAGE: walkchicagotours.com...It's been called the "Cider House", and the" Root Beer House", but neither name fits the truth behind the legend. The Great Fire (1871) crept ever faster toward 2121 N. Hudson Avenue as Officer Bellinger tried desperately to save the home he cherished. Legend says he used his homemade cider to douse the roof in order to prevent a storm of flying embers from igniting his abode. However, it was his widow who years later related to the home's new owners that Bellinger did indeed only use water taken bucket by bucket from a nearby farmer's polluted black water pond. Later, Bellinger offered his home as a refuge to those made homeless by the fire. The Bellinger cottage was one of only two North Side homes to survive the city's greatest disaster. (Private Property: Please respect the privacy of the present owners.)

03/12/2021

walkchicagotours.com LITTLE ITALY: Chicago's Catholic archdiocese is known for its number of churches with ethnic identity. The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Little Italy is an example of Italian American loyalty to faith and heritage. Erected in 1923 and predominantly populated by fervent Sicilian families, it is known for its friendly and nurturing character. Inside its welcoming and warm interior, there is a side altar honoring Mother Francis Cabrini, patron of Little Italy's immigrant Italian population. Its outer bronze doors, sculpted by Biagio Governali, are exquisite in their narrative detail of the miracles and mysteries of the Catholic faith.

24/11/2021

"MONUMENT WITH STANDING BEAST": walkchicagotours.com. Affectionately known as "Snoopy in a Blender", Jean Dubuffet's 1984 abstract representation of a tree, a standing animal and an architectural structure has been one of the more befuddling of over 100 outdoor sculptures in Chicago's Loop area alone. If its abstractions give you pause for thought, perhaps deeper thought was Mr. Dubuffet's intention. Chicago's Loop area is a virtual outdoor art museum created by the city's Public Art Program and the enforced contribution of 1.33% for the acquisition of art from the budget for all new public building projects. So, hello Snoopy. Give our regards to Linus.

02/10/2021

PILSEN-CHICAGO: More Doors of 18th Street...(walkchicagotours.com). Pilsen is a virtual outdoor cultural art museum. Expressive creative art is everywhere. It is only a matter of paying attention, having open eyes and an open mind.

19/09/2021

TRIBUNE TOWER ARTIFACTS...Pieces of History...(walkchicagotours.com.) Nearly150 historic artifacts are embedded in the outside walls of the Chicago Tribune Tower. The practice began in 1914 when editor and publisher, Robert McCormick, began his collection. Serving during WW1 in Europe,
Colonel McCormick collected historic pieces, and later encouraged his foreign correspondents to bring home their discoveries...all of which were secured by "honorable means" (wink-wink).

20/08/2021

SCHUBAS TAVERN,,.(walkchicagotours.com). When beer was king, Schlitz Brewery built 57 "tied houses" in Chicago between 1897 and 1905. Tied houses were owned and operated by the brewery, thereby eliminating the middle man. A number of Schlitz owned tied houses still exist. But the most vibrant and prominent amongst them is the renown Chicago landmark, and now privately owned, Schubas Tavern at Belmont and Southport Avenues. The trademark of a genuine Schlitz tied house is the pronounced terra cotta globe sculpture encircled by a belt. Truly, Schubas Tavern is a proud example of vintage architectural beauty...but if you love live music, Schubas Tavern is the place to be.

30/07/2021

VICTORY GARDENS THEATER AT THE BIOGRAPH: walkchicagotours.com. Known far too long as the site of the 1934 FBI ambush of notorious killer, John Dillinger, the Biograph Theater at 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's Lincoln Park/De Paul neighborhood now serves as a more productive source of Chicago pride. The Victory Gardens Theater took residence at the Biograph in 2004. It has produced more world premieres, worked with more living playwrights and has exported more new plays than any other theater (over200) in Chicago. It is a source of Chicago pride. Now...should we care about John Dillinger ? !

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06/06/2021

PILSEN-Chicago...walkchicagotours.com. "Botanica Los MIlagros " . (Botanic Miracles). One of Pilsen's most unique establishments. Herbal remedies and vitamins, and religious articles in addition to perfumes, lotions, incense and a library of books that will educate us all about alternatives for a healthier way of life. Newly reopened at 1522 W.18th Street, across the street from its original location. One of Pilsen's oldest, continuously run small businesses...over 32 years supplying traditional products.

19/05/2021

PILSEN-CHICAGO...walkchicagotours.com....The Neighborhood Murals and Public Art Tour. The doorways lining 18th Street are yet another chance to know the rich culture of one of America's most vibrant neighborhoods . BTW....Pilsen is NOT for sale. It has its own proud owners. Its art announces that pride.

08/05/2021

Visit....walkchicagours.com.... GHOST BIKES...While the world-wide Ghost Bike Project began in Amsterdam in the mid-1960's , the first ghost bike did not appear in Chicago until 2003. At present, there are 30 ghost bike memorials in the Chicago area. Ghost bikes mark the sites of bicycle-motorist accidents that have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. They are grim but moving reminders of not only the loss of bicyclist victims, but also of the need for a more cautious and respectful relationship between bicyclists and motorists. This particular ghost bike memorial on Ogden Avenue just west of Western Avenue in the Douglass Park/North Lawndale areas celebrates the life of former U.S. Marine, Hector Avalos Sosa, age 28 . On the evening of December 6,2013, Hector was riding home after his workday as a cook at a River North restaurant when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a drunk driver. Losing Hector was devastating to his friends and family. It was the loss of a fine young man who had served his country and honored his city. PLEASE...when sighting a ghost bike, give pause to appreciate the value of human life and the fragility of our existences. God bless you, Hector . We hear the message of your beautiful white bicycle and we feel your presence.
,org ,org

27/04/2021

PUBLIC ART-Chicago Visit:(walkchicagotours.com) The Vivien Maier mural at 1651 W. North Avenue was created (2017) in just three days by Brazilian muralist, Eduardo Kobra . The irony of Vivien Maier's work was that it went undiscovered until years after her death (2007). 150,000 of her images were uncovered during a public auction of the contents of her rental storage space, an auction necessitated by unpaid rental storage fees. The exquisite quality of her photography and the unique perspectives it provided earned Vivien acclaim from collectors and experts around the world. Vivien was more than a street photographer. Her camera was a mirror that reflected Chicago and its citizens in such a way that had never been seen before. Vivien was raised in France and came to Chicago in 1976. Mostly, she worked as a nanny for affluent families in Chicago's North Shore area. God bless you, Vivien for your gifts to us all...for your reflections of our city and its soul. ... ...
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21/04/2021

PUBLIC ART-Chicago ( visit walkchicagotours.com). Jean Baptiste Du Sable sculpture by Eric Blome(.com) 2009..northeast side of the Michigan Avenue bridge. Du Sable is considered Chicago's first permanent resident and the " founder of Chicago". He was of Haitian-African descent. It is believed that his mother was a Congolese-born slave. Du Sable established a prosperous trading settlement on an existing sandbar near the mouth of the Chicago river...thus his name..."Jean Baptiste of the Point of Sand". He arrived in 1780 and soon married a Potawatomi woman,Kitihawa, earning him respect from local tribes. Thank you,Jean Baptiste, for your courage as Chicago's " first citizen".
# DuSablebridge.

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00
Sunday	09:00 - 17:00

Walk Chicago Tours