Edition: Holiday Shopping
Chicago's Living History
Author: Constance Cooper
In the 300-plus years since white men first laid eyes on a modest Native American village called "Che-Cau-bou," the city has built a rich and fascinating history for itself. Pieces of this history are scattered throughout Chicago, just waiting for curious visitors to discover them.
Chicago Water Tower
One of only six downtown buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the old water tower has become one of the city’s most defining landmarks. Built as a Gothic representation of a Medieval fortress, the fanciful limestone tower stands in sharp contrast to the modern skyscrapers surrounding it. The Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station are open for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. seven days a week. There is no charge for admittance. For additional information call 312-744-0528. Location: Intersection of Michigan and Chicago Avenues.
Prairie Avenue Historic District
The Prairie Avenue District is the site of the city’s earliest tragedy. In an act dubbed the “Fort Dearborn Massacre,” British-allied Native Americans brutally killed a group of settlers in 1812 (ghosts of whom are said to still roam the streets). After the Great Chicago Fire, the area grew into one of the city’s most elite and fashionable neighborhoods. The Prairie Avenue District is home to Chicago’s oldest-standing building: the Clarke House. Location: 1800 and 1900 blocks of S. Prairie Ave., 1800 block of S. Indiana Ave., and 211-217 E. Cullerton St.
Green Mill Jazz Club
The Green Mill, once the favorite hangout of Al Capone, offers a rare glimpse into the seedier side of Chicago’s past. Fully restored to its jazz-age glory, stepping into the Green Mill is like stepping into a time capsule (one that serves martinis). Make nice with the bartender and he may even let you see the trap door behind the bar - rumored to lead to tunnels that wind beneath Capone’s glamorous Uptown neighborhood. The Green Mill is open from noon to 4 a.m. seven days a week. Location: 4802 N. Broadway St.
Did the Green Mill leave you thirsty for another taste of the old Chicago underworld? Untouchable Tours offers a complete gangster guide to the city. Tours are available seven days a week (times vary). Prices are $25 for adults and $20 for children. Call 773-881-1195 for further information or to reserve your spot.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
Frank Lloyd Wright began constructing his famous home in 1889, continually adding to and revising the structure as he experimented with new and revolutionary architectural concepts. In 1898, Wright added a studio to his home — where he and hisassociates designed 125 of Wright’s most famous Prairie-style structures. Both the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio in Oak Park and the Chicago Architecture Foundation offer a wide variety of tours devoted exclusively to the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Prices and times vary. For more information call the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio at 708-848-1978 or the Chicago Architecture Foundation at 312- 922-3432. Location: 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park.
Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum features a collection of 22 million artifacts and documents illuminating the city’s rich and diverse past. Popular permanent exhibits include “Sensing Chicago” – a children’s exhibit that allows kids to use their five senses to explore the city’s past – and “The Dioramas” – intricate reproductions of Chicago in its various incarnations over the past 300 years. Curated by the Chicago Historical Society, the Chicago History Museum is open seven days a week (hours vary). Admission is $12 for adults and free for children. The museum offers adults cost-free admission every Monday. Location: 1601 N. Clark St.
Museum of Science and Industry
Originally constructed as the Palace of Fine Arts for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, the Museum of Science and Industry is the only remaining building in the legendary “White City.” It is now the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. The Museum of Science and Industry is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission prices vary. For more information or to purchase tickets by phone, call 773-684-1414. Location: 57th St. and Lakeshore Dr.
