John R. Schmidt

Recent stories by this author

What ever happened to Pueblo Avenue?

Sep. 24, 2012
How the City of Chicago spent a half-century trying to get people to accept an unpopular street name.

Finding your way around Chicago's present

Sep. 21, 2012
How well did you find your way around 1948 Chicago? Today we reveal the answer to yesterday's mystery photo.

Finding your way in Chicago's past

Sep. 20, 2012
How well could you find your way around 1948 Chicago? This 1948 photo was taken on the Northwest Side.

The birth of Hull House

Sep. 18, 2012
On this date in 1889, social worker Jane Addams moved into the West Side slums — and began to change the world.

Lane Tech: The world's biggest high school

Sep. 17, 2012
In 1934 Chicago scored another superlative with the dedication of the largest high school anywhere.

The CTA we didn't get, Part 4

Sep. 14, 2012
According to the 1958 plan, the median of the Eisenhower Expressway was to have space for four tracks. Today the median strip still has only two tracks — and lots of empty space.

Chicago's real-world 'Funny Girl'

Sep. 13, 2012
In 1927, Fanny Brice ended her tempestuous marriage to Nick Arnstein — the real story behind the 1964 Barbara Streisand film Funny Girl.

A foot soldier's view of past teacher strikes

Sep. 10, 2012
WBEZ blogger John Schmidt taught in the Chicago Public Schools for 31 years and walked the picket lines in at least five strikes. 

Pages