Stories by Erica Gunderson
Ask Geoffrey: Which Came First, Eisenhower or Old Main Post Office?
The Eisenhower Expressway runs underneath the Old Main Post Office, causing one viewer to wonder which came first. Geoffrey Baer delves into the history of these interlinked landmarks and answers other viewer questions in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: Why is there a statue of Richard J. Daley in Springfield?
Chicago's most famous mayor might have a 50-foot Picasso in a plaza named for him, but a statue of Richard J. Daley resides in Springfield. Geoffrey Baer explains why Hizzoner is honored outside of Chicago in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: What's the History of Asylum Place?
Geoffrey Baer investigates the history of Asylum Place, the explosive story behind a 1930s death caused by a manhole cover and what happened to magical Chicago restaurant chain.
Ask Geoffrey: What Happened to the Sunken Garden in Jackson Park?
Geoffrey Baer visits an artist under glass, gets that sinking feeling at a Jackson Park garden, and reveals the hej hej history of the Andersonville neighborhood's name in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: Chicago's Crusade Against Air Pollution
Not that long ago, air pollution from burning coal made the Windy City more like the Smoggy City. Geoffrey Baer tells us how Chicago cleaned up its act.
Ask Geoffrey: What's the Story with Montrose Beach 'Pier'?
In this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey, our local history expert Geoffrey Baer revisits a Streeterville puppet show, examines underground architecture on the Blue Line and digs deep into the history of Montrose Beach.
Ask Geoffrey: How a Small Downtown Building Escaped Demolition
A small, windowless building on Block 37 is dwarfed by glassy new high-rises. A viewer wonders how it managed to escape the wrecking ball. Geoffrey Baer shares the story behind this unusual building, plus the history of the Marshall Field’s holiday windows and Kermit the Frog’s commercials for milk in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: The Story Behind the Illinois and Michigan Canal
A little-known waterway built in the 1830s allowed Chicago to grow not once, but twice! Hear the story of the crucial canal that you may never have heard of, and the story behind one of the South Side's best known public works of art in tonight's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Geoffrey Baer Explores 'Chicago's South Side' in New Show
Geoffrey Baer shares his stroll through Chicago's South Side in a show that premieres tonight.
Ask Geoffrey: The Story Behind an Iconic 1940s Bronzeville Photo
A famous photo taken in 1940s Bronzeville features the faces of five young African-American men, but their identities have remained a mystery for generations. Local history expert Geoffrey Baer is here with the story behind one of Bronzeville's most enduring images in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: Nov. 18
The famously irascible Frank Lloyd Wright estranged two artists on a single short-lived project. Learn the fate of Wright's lost Midway Gardens and play tennis at the Kenwood Country Club as local history expert Geoffrey Baer heads to the South Side.
Ask Geoffrey: Nov. 11
Local history expert Geoffrey Baer visits the towering walls on the south lakeshore and a swampy nature area in the middle of an industrial neighborhood in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: Nov. 4
What happened to The Pickle Barrel Restaurant in Old Town?
Local history expert Geoffrey Baer gets schooled at Midway Airport, snags a free pickle at a long-lost Old Town favorite and soars with 19 terracotta eagles in Lakeview during this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey, Oct. 28
Geoffrey Baer cruises by with the history of the Illinois Tollway oases, a Chicago lass on Irish cash and O'Hare's sleek new air traffic control towers in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey
Geoffrey Baer visits a towering turtle on the Near West Side, a retro motel in River North and a vanishing South Side lake in this week's encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Putting 'Chicago' into the Chicago Architecture Biennial
Geoffrey Baer returns with more dispatches from the Chicago Architecture Biennial, including bold proposals for the future of its host city.
Ask Geoffrey: Oct. 7
What happened to the Olson Rug Company’s garden?
In this edition of Ask Geoffrey, our local history expert Geoffrey Baer makes a splash at a long-gone waterfall, visits a bar with an unbeatable view of the Chicago skyline and tells the fishy tale of an Albany Park building.
Preview of the First Chicago Architecture Biennial
Cutting-edge architecture built by a robot, spiders and even you! That's just a small part of what you can experience when the Chicago Architecture Biennial opens Saturday at the Chicago Cultural Center and sites around the city. Geoffrey Baer has been watching 75 top architects put the finishing touches on it all, and he's here to give us a preview.
Ask Geoffrey: Sept. 24
What happened to the puppet theater on Michigan Avenue?
In this edition of Ask Geoffrey, our local history expert Geoffrey Baer revisits a Streeterville puppet show, examines underground architecture on the Blue Line and digs deep into the history of Montrose Beach.
Ask Geoffrey
Revisit a favorite episode with our resident history expert
Geoffrey Baer answers viewer questions about a unique painting that adorns an Old Town condo building, a prolific mural painter of the 1920s and '30s, and the origins of a giant map of Chicago that's visible from the river in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey, which originally aired on March 25.
Ask Geoffrey: Sept. 8
What happened to The Pickle Barrel Restaurant in Old Town?
In this edition of Ask Geoffrey, our local history expert Geoffrey Baer gets schooled at Midway Airport, snags a free pickle at a long-lost Old Town favorite, and soars with 19 terracotta eagles in Lakeview.
Ask Geoffrey: Sept. 2
Where was Bacon's Arena, the site of Joe Louis' first pro match?
In this edition of Ask Geoffrey, our local history expert goes ringside at Joe Louis' first professional knockout, rides by the site of long-lost Logan Square mansion, and finds out what's cooking at a former bread-baking palace.
Ask Geoffrey: August 26
Who designed the Marshall Field’s clock?
In this edition of Ask Geoffrey, viewers ask our local history expert about the Marshall Field’s clock, a World War II memorial in Lincoln Park and the Chicago Federal Building’s dome.
Ask Geoffrey: August 19
What happened to Goldblatt's? Was there a Nazi rally at Soldier Field in the 1930s?
Geoffrey Baer revisits what was once billed as "America’s Fastest Growing Department Chain" in Back of the Yards, takes us to a 1936 German Day rally at Soldier Field, and finds the location of a star-spangled bridge featured in a photo from the 1960s.
Ask Geoffrey: August 13
How did Andersonville get its name? Was an artist once shot at the MCA?
Geoffrey Baer visits an artist under glass, gets that sinking feeling at a Jackson Park garden, and reveals the hej hej history of the Andersonville neighborhood's name.
Ask Geoffrey
Soldier Field, Dream Lady & Kenwood Branch
Geoffrey Baer answers viewer questions about a dreamy memorial, Soldier Field no-man's land, and railroad ruins on Chicago's South Side in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.
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