The origins of “Chicagoland” can be traced back to nearly 100 years ago. Back then, it encompassed an area that went beyond the suburbs.

What Does "Chicagoland" Mean, And Where Did It Come From?

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We go searching for the oldest book in circulation at the library, and find out how a title avoids the book “weeding” process.

What’s The Oldest Book In Circulation At The Chicago Public Library?

It's difficult to find records of Underground Railroad activity in Chicago because the work was inherently dangerous. But some historical documents offer a glimpse.

The Underground Railroad Existed Throughout Illinois, Including In Chicago

We went digging for dinosaur bones in Chicago and found a bunch of other fossils along the way. We explore the region's prehistoric activity, and we’ll hear about that one time a federal judge found a mastodon in his yard.

Did Dinosaurs Ever Live In Chicago?

Chicago has enclaves for numerous communities throughout its 77 neighborhoods. In the mid-20th century, Uptown was the nucleus for Native Americans who relocated to the city. Learn how Uptown became a cultural hub and what happened to that enclave.

What Happened To Chicago’s Native American Neighborhood?

Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery in Midlothian is rumored to be haunted with alleged sightings of a woman in white. But there’s more to this place than spooky stories. Learn about the early settlers who called this place home and why a historian worries the ghost stories are overshadowing the history here.

What Does "Chicagoland" Mean, And Where Did It Come From?

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