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Chicago History: The Journal of an Amateur Historian
http://chicagohistory-sharonwilliams.blogspot…
As an amateur historian I find the people and events of 19th and early 20th century Chicago fascinating. The history of this city is an amazing saga. Only 133 years separate the ash heap of the Great Fire in 1871 from the city's designation as one of the world's best skylines. My blog is my online journal of interesting stories, relavent links and discussion of this complex city.
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Recent Posts
The Yellowed Pages: Old Chicago City Directories
The first Chicago City Directory was published in 1839 when the city was just 2 years old. The earliest directory I have found on the Internet, however, is for 1843 published by Ellis and Fergus, Printers, in 1844 when the city was boasting a populat...
Bookish on Chicago History
What are the best/your favorite books on Chicago's history? Tim Lacy recently posted The 110 Best Books---According To The Daily Telegraph on his excellent blog, History and Education: Past and Present, and it got me thinking about my Chicago histor...
Help! Police!: The Call Box
In the 1987 Prohibition era film "The Untouchables", veteran policeman Jimmy Malone (played by Sean Connery) has a gold chain. On that chain are two of his most important possessions: a St Jude Medal and his Chicago Police Call box key. Here's a loo...
A Story From the Stockyards: JOE GETLER AND HIS CATS
From: ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE UNION STOCKYARDS: SKETCH-BOOK OF FAMILIAR FACES AND PLACES AT THE YARDS by W. Jos. Grand. Copyright 1896 A PERSONAGE of great importance at the stockyards, and without an account of whom no history of the place woul...
A Pinch of This, A Little of That
I'm a bit pressed for time today so, for your reading pleasure... May 1, 1893: This Day in Chicago History (World's Columbian Exposition) from A Boat Against the Current May 1st History of International Workers' Day from glabourwriters. Note: the...
Comments & Reviews
This blog is currently rated a 9.60 out of a possible 10 based on 5 comments.
Heather Vallance Said:
Disturbingly, I read 'delete the site' in one of your posts. If there was a law against deleting posts I would invoke it, and hold it against you. Chicago History is a valuable resource and it is not the number of visitors to a site but the quality of the visitors that is important. Each of us takes a piece of your knowledge with us when we leave and that is passed on in some way through our own work and writing and interests. It is not the size of a ripple in the water, it is the distance the ripple travels that is important. Remember this next time your finger hovers over the delete button.
Cammeel1 Said:
For a very new blog you have obviously taken the time and care to lay out a good looking blog. I like your writing style too. However I probably will not visit very often since I am not very interested in Chicago. I do enjoy history though so I will be back for sure. Have a great day!
BellyDanceGirl Said:
Excellent writing with detail and passion. My brother will love this blog - went to the art institute there. He misses living there and I miss my visits! Had one of the best burritos ever in wicker park.
Alan Jobe Said:
Since I've no particular interest in Chicago or its history I probably won't be a regular visitor, but you have a very nicely laid out blog with really good writing. Best of luck to you.
