Curious City

By WBEZ Chicago

Society & Culture Arts Education

What's Curious City about?

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

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Curious City episodes:

04.25.2024
The Mayor, The Prince, and the Gift That Invaded Japan’s Biggest Lake
In October 1960, Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago for 21 hours. Chicago’s mayor presented the prince with a diplomatic gift: 18 bluegill. What happened next would change the underwater world of Japan forever.
04.18.2024
Who’s A Good Boy: A Look At Chicago’s Top Dog Breeds
Pit bulls are the number one dog breed in Chicago. We take a trip to the animal shelter to find out why, and we follow one pup as he attempts to find a forever home.
04.11.2024
What's That Dead Zone In The 19th Ward?
There’s a hole in the map of Chicago. It turns out, it’s a cemetery. But there are many other cemeteries in Chicago that don’t show up as holes on the map, so what’s up with this one? We take...
04.04.2024
What Happened To The Crows?
A listener thought she’d noticed a change in Chicago’s crow population. And she was right. More than twenty years ago, the crow population of Illinois was at an all-time high. But just a few years later, half of the birds...
03.28.2024
From Desegregation To Teen Angst: Inside CPS’s Selective Enrollment System
What began as a method of desegregation and a way to stem white flight has now become a source of both pride and pain for kids and families around the city. We’ll look at the history and future of Chicago’s...
03.21.2024
Apple Slices: A Nostalgic Piece Of Chicago Pastry History
Apple slices were a favorite Chicago pastry decades ago. Not many bakeries sell them today, but the dessert still has avid fans who hold on to its nostalgic flavor.
03.14.2024
Sign Stealing: A Petty Piece Of Chicago Political History
Stealing political signs has been a thing since candidates started printing signs. The tactic was widely used by the Chicago political machine, and its origins trace back to the late 1800s when saloons and politicians worked closely together.
03.07.2024
Two For Women’s History Month
The juvenile justice system we know today was created by Cook County women. We take a look back at how the program came to be. Then later, ever notice how so few of Chicago’s monuments are of women? We’ll find...
02.29.2024
The Windy Kitty: How Chicago Became A Haven For Feral Cats
Chicago is home to thousands of feral cats. But who’s looking after them? We look at the pros and cons of keeping feral cat colonies.
02.22.2024
For Street Artist Joos, All The City's A Gallery
Around Chicago, there are ribbons of paint on utility boxes that look like little doodles. But there’s much more to these paint splotches. The street artist and graffiti writer behind this and much larger work says painting has been a...
02.15.2024
Chicago's Key Role In The Creation Of Black History Month
This week, hear about historian Carter G. Woodson’s important Chicago ties, and how he came up with the idea for a “Negro History Week,” which later turned into the Black History Month we celebrate today.
02.08.2024
What Was The American Negro Exposition Of 1940?
Fed up with how Black Americans were portrayed at world’s fairs, Black organizers created the “first real Negro World’s Fair” in Chicago in 1940. As Arionne Nettles reports, this exposition paved the way for Black institutions. Nettles’ debut book, "We...
02.01.2024
Chicago Is Where Black Cinema Took Root
In 1913 Chicagoan William Foster became the first Black director to make a film with an all Black cast. Yet most people have never heard of him. Join Arionne Nettles as she tells Foster's story, the story of Black filmmaking...
01.25.2024
What’s The Impact Of Storefront Churches On A Community?
Storefront churches have been around since the early 1900s when African-Americans migrated up north from the South. Many are in operation in South and West side neighborhoods like Austin. We talk to residents about the impact these churches have on...
01.18.2024
Bumper-to-Bumper With Some Questions About Chicago Traffic
There’s never a shortage of complaints about Chicago traffic, but experts swear it could be worse. We investigate the science behind lane closures and red lights, and then take a look at the chaos of creating a traffic report.
01.11.2024
What It’s Like To Drive A Snow Plow
There’s a lot that goes into keeping the city streets clear of ice and snow. A snowplow driver shows us the ropes. And did you know Chicago used to ship out its plowed snow? We’ll revisit a story one joyful...
01.04.2024
The Curious City Team Answers Five Wintery Questions
The weather outside is frightful, but our answers to 5 Chicago winter-related questions are delightful.
12.28.2023
The History Of The Walnut Room And Why It’s Not Nostalgic For Everyone
The Walnut Room in the Macy’s department store downtown has been a longstanding holiday tradition in Chicago. While it is a source of Christmas nostalgia for many, it brings back painful memories of discrimination for others.
12.21.2023
Are News Boxes A Thing Of The Past?
You’ll only see news boxes for free publications around today, but those papers are important for many people.
12.14.2023
The First Black-Owned And Operated Airport Was In Robbins
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.
12.07.2023
Who’s Behind The CTA Holiday Train? Santa And The Elves!
The CTA Holiday Train started from humble beginnings. Then a holiday celebrity and his helpers turned it into a Chicago tradition.
11.30.2023
How Did Indian Boundary Park Get Its Name?
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.
11.23.2023
Two Tasty Treats For Thanksgiving Feasts
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.
11.16.2023
Spare Rooms And Shared Spaces; Migrants Scramble To Find Housing Ahead Of Winter
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.
11.09.2023
What Happened To Chicago’s Cuban Community?
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...
11.02.2023
Bar Culture on the Big and Small Screen: Curious City Live from Goose Island Barrelhouse
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...
10.26.2023
The Haunting Of East Pilsen
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?
10.19.2023
How Can We Keep Chicago And Our Basements Above Water?
Basements fill with stormwater and sewage when a big storm hits. Why is this happening, and what can be done to prevent it?
10.12.2023
What’s It Like To Be a Rail Operator?
It takes a lot to drive a Chicago Transit Authority train. Since the pandemic, the job itself hasn’t changed, but challenges remain.
10.05.2023
Putting on a Chicago race requires fees, permits and patience
Each year tens of thousands of people take part in 5ks, 10ks, marathons, half-marathons and more in Chicago. But how does one get permission? And what’s it like to navigate the process and work with the various city departments to...
09.28.2023
What’s the History of the Medinah Temple and Its Original Owners?
Before it was a place to gamble or shop, the Medinah Temple was the longtime home to the Medinah Shriners, an organization shrouded in secrecy.
09.21.2023
Who Enforces the Rules at Dog Parks?
It can be a tense situation when a dog bites another dog at the park. Who’s making sure it’s handled properly? No matter what kind of dog you have, there are a number of rules to follow at the dog park....
09.14.2023
The Fireside Bowl: An Unlikely Place For Punks Of All Ages
In the ‘90s, an old bowling alley hosted a few punk shows. For a little over a decade, it became the all-ages heart of Chicago’s punk and indie scene.
09.07.2023
This Episode Is Garbage
Chicago collects thousands of tons of garbage each year. We answer some questions about garbage, and follow an all-women collection crew on the job.
08.31.2023
Are the suburbs taking the “Little India” title away from Devon Avenue?
Devon Avenue in the West Ridge neighborhood has been the region’s top destination for South Asian restaurants, grocery stores, clothing, jewelry and more. But with more South Asian families settling in the suburbs, what does the future hold for the...
08.24.2023
Traveling Parties: A Queer Chicago Culture Of Partying As Resistance
The history of traveling queer parties in Chicago is rooted in exclusion and racism. This week, we spoke with Pat McCombs and Vera Washington — longtime organizers of Executive Sweet, a traveling party focused on Black lesbians that got its...
08.17.2023
Soul Train: How Chicago birthed the “hippest trip in America”
For more than 3 decades, Soul Train brought the coolest music and dancers to TV sets across the country. It also featured the coolest host, Don Cornelius, who started the program in Chicago in a studio the size of a...
08.10.2023
Is That A Lobster In The Chicago River?
It’s an invasive species that doesn’t seem harmful at first glance. But if they go unchecked, these little things can disrupt local ecologies.
08.03.2023
When And Why did The West Ridge Neighborhood Become Such An Orthodox Jewish Enclave?
Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood has had a large, vibrant Jewish population since the late 1940’s. But at some point, the people living there became more and more religiously observant. We’ll find out when and why that change took place, and...
07.27.2023
What Does "Chicagoland" Mean, And Where Did It Come From?
The origins of “Chicagoland” can be traced back to nearly 100 years ago. Back then, it encompassed an area that went beyond the suburbs.
07.19.2023
Chicago’s Steak And Lemonade Combo, And Those Structures On The Lake
The beef sandwich and slushy drink combo are sold together all across the South and West sides of Chicago. Reporter Monica Eng tracks down the guy who put the two together. Then, she answers a question about what those mysterious...
07.13.2023
The Whos And Whys Behind Chicago's So-Called Teen Takeovers
It's summertime in Chicago, and once again massive teen gatherings are making headlines. We find out who is organizing these large meetups and why they're happening.
07.06.2023
Love It Or Hate It; Malört Is Chicago’s Drink
The bitter liquor has been around for about a century, but Malört’s rise to Chicago icon status is a more recent story.
06.29.2023
Four Dances Invented in Chicago, Plus a Traditional One Chicagoans Keep Alive
We waltz with the musicians and dancers who popularized dances in Chicago, and we feel the beat with the people who keep La Danza Ateca alive in Pilsen.
06.22.2023
What Happens To Unidentified Or Unclaimed Bodies in Cook County?
When someone dies in Cook County and there’s no one to identify or claim the body, a small army of people from the public and private sectors work to find out who the person is, if they have any relatives...
06.15.2023
Chi-Town Is A Pie Town, But We Search Out The Best Single-Slice Pizza In The City
A New York transplant loves everything about Chicago, but misses the easy access to a big slice of pizza on a paper plate. Our city’s tavern style and deep dish don’t lend themselves to the “slice to go” concept, but...
06.08.2023
Why Is The Only North American Baháʼí Temple In Wilmette?
The huge, gleaming Baháʼí House of Worship for North America definitely stands out from its suburban lakefront surroundings. It’s the oldest Baháʼí temple in the world, and it’s also known as the holiest. But why is it in Wilmette, Illinois?...
06.01.2023
Chicago’s Infamous Dojo Wars Part 2: The Fall of Count Dante, the Deadliest Man Alive
In the 1960s, Chicago was becoming known as a center for Karate teaching and international tournaments, and the main person behind this movement was John Keehan. In the last of this two part series, we delve into Keehan’s devolution into...
05.25.2023
Chicago’s Infamous Dojo Wars, Part 1: The Rise of John Keehan, Karate Sensei
In the 1960s, Chicago was becoming known as a center for Karate teaching and international tournaments, and the main person behind this movement was John Keehan. He was a revered black belt instructor who was also often an instigator in...
05.18.2023
Move Over Mayor. Adios Aldermen. Regular Citizens Can Propose Laws In Chicago And We’ll Tell You How
Brandon Johnson was just sworn in as Chicago’s new mayor. Johnson was known as a union and community organizer who believes average people should have more say in how their government works. Which is why we thought this story from...

What's Curious City about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Curious City episodes:

The Mayor, The Prince, and the Gift That Invaded Japan’s Biggest Lake

Who’s A Good Boy: A Look At Chicago’s Top Dog Breeds

What's That Dead Zone In The 19th Ward?

What Happened To The Crows?

From Desegregation To Teen Angst: Inside CPS’s Selective Enrollment System

Apple Slices: A Nostalgic Piece Of Chicago Pastry History

Sign Stealing: A Petty Piece Of Chicago Political History

Two For Women’s History Month

The Windy Kitty: How Chicago Became A Haven For Feral Cats

For Street Artist Joos, All The City's A Gallery

Chicago's Key Role In The Creation Of Black History Month

What Was The American Negro Exposition Of 1940?

Chicago Is Where Black Cinema Took Root

What’s The Impact Of Storefront Churches On A Community?

Bumper-to-Bumper With Some Questions About Chicago Traffic

What It’s Like To Drive A Snow Plow

The Curious City Team Answers Five Wintery Questions

The History Of The Walnut Room And Why It’s Not Nostalgic For Everyone

Are News Boxes A Thing Of The Past?

The First Black-Owned And Operated Airport Was In Robbins

Who’s Behind The CTA Holiday Train? Santa And The Elves!

How Did Indian Boundary Park Get Its Name?

Two Tasty Treats For Thanksgiving Feasts

Spare Rooms And Shared Spaces; Migrants Scramble To Find Housing Ahead Of Winter

What Happened To Chicago’s Cuban Community?

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

The Haunting Of East Pilsen

How Can We Keep Chicago And Our Basements Above Water?

What’s It Like To Be a Rail Operator?

Putting on a Chicago race requires fees, permits and patience

What’s the History of the Medinah Temple and Its Original Owners?

Who Enforces the Rules at Dog Parks?

The Fireside Bowl: An Unlikely Place For Punks Of All Ages

This Episode Is Garbage

Are the suburbs taking the “Little India” title away from Devon Avenue?

Traveling Parties: A Queer Chicago Culture Of Partying As Resistance

Soul Train: How Chicago birthed the “hippest trip in America”

Is That A Lobster In The Chicago River?

When And Why did The West Ridge Neighborhood Become Such An Orthodox Jewish Enclave?

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

Chicago’s Steak And Lemonade Combo, And Those Structures On The Lake

The Whos And Whys Behind Chicago's So-Called Teen Takeovers

Love It Or Hate It; Malört Is Chicago’s Drink

Four Dances Invented in Chicago, Plus a Traditional One Chicagoans Keep Alive

What Happens To Unidentified Or Unclaimed Bodies in Cook County?

Chi-Town Is A Pie Town, But We Search Out The Best Single-Slice Pizza In The City

Why Is The Only North American Baháʼí Temple In Wilmette?

Chicago’s Infamous Dojo Wars Part 2: The Fall of Count Dante, the Deadliest Man Alive

Chicago’s Infamous Dojo Wars, Part 1: The Rise of John Keehan, Karate Sensei

Move Over Mayor. Adios Aldermen. Regular Citizens Can Propose Laws In Chicago And We’ll Tell You How