WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

A Chicago transplant asked what — if anything — is unique to Chicago. Answers were slippery, but our songster grabbed the best and wrote a song.

Marya Lucas moved to Chicago's Old Town neighborhood not long ago and couldn't help but notice how different life is on either side of North Avenue around Sedgewick Street. It made her wonder what factors lead to neighborhoods changing so drastically in the span of a block. WBEZ's Natalie Moore investigates. 

We can barely keep up with your questions about public works, but WBEZ’s history blogger joins Curious City’s most enthusiastic commenter to wipe the slate clean. On deck: Anyone live in that bridgehouse (other than trolls)? There was a street named after a hot dog stand? 

Jaemey Bush has quenched her thirst with tap water from northwest suburban Glenview as well as Chicago’s Little Village. Her palette swears there’s a difference, despite the fact that both places serve up Lake Michigan H2O. What gives? We look, smell, taste and swig to get some clarity.

Curious citizen Ian Larkin was shocked to learn that Cold War Chicago was once peppered with nuclear missiles ready to thwart a Soviet attack. You’d be hard pressed to find the sites today, so what happened?

Ross Brodt moved to Roscoe Village this past March, and since then he's heard several folks mention this mysterious old theme park called "Riverview." He wants to know the origins of the park were and why it was torn down. WBEZ's Shannon Heffernan is venturing into the collective memories of Chicagoans to get him more than just those answers. Help us out by calling in with your memories: 1-888-789-7752. 

Curious Citizen Linda Rudy wondered when ground is broken for building or repairs, is anyone there to look for treasure? We catch up with local archaeologists who’ve scoured everything from construction sites, to the White City, to ... grandpa’s outhouse.