John R. Schmidt

Recent stories by this author

Detective novel highlights old Chicago

Dec. 3, 2012
It's 1940, and the Marx Brothers are threatened by the mob. Does this have anything to do with Chicago?

Farewell to the Chicago Cardinals

Nov. 29, 2012
They were a relic from pro football's Jurassic Era. Could they upset the Bears in their last home game?

So, who was Dan Ryan anyway?

Nov. 27, 2012
Chicago's busiest expressway is named after him. The story of the man behind the 14-lane interstate.

Chicago gets a newspaper

Nov. 26, 2012
It's 1833, and the little outpost off Lake Michigan is becoming civilized--now it even has a newspaper!

Chicago's shortest street?

Nov. 21, 2012
Picking out Chicago's longest street is a no-brainer. But naming the city's shortest street is a bit tougher.

Finding your way around Chicago's present

Nov. 20, 2012
How well did you find your way around 1974 Chicago? We reveal yesterday's mystery location — with a bonus.

Finding your way in Chicago's past

Nov. 19, 2012
Think you know the location of this 1974 photo? It's within three miles of State and Madison.

From dirt to asphalt: A main Chicago road

Nov. 16, 2012
Photos reveal how one of Chicago's main thoroughfares has changed in the last hundred years or so — or has it?

Pages