Stories by Erica Gunderson
Ask Geoffrey
Auto Wash Bowl, Balbo Column & Baldwin Ice Cream
Geoffrey Baer tells a sweet South Side success story, tests the waters at an unusual car wash, and finds the facts behind a fascist monument in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: 7/1
Fit Firefighters, Addison's Adventureland, and City Sailors
Geoffrey Baer digs into the history of handball in Chicago firehouses, rides the Cinderella Train at Adventureland, and sails away with the Rainbow Fleet.
Ask Geoffrey: Chicago’s Lakefront History
Geoffrey Baer Heads to the Pier
It's finally summer! Geoffrey's headed for the lakefront with three questions about the area around Chicago's most popular tourist destination.
Ask Geoffrey: 5/20
Who makes the city's flowery fireworks happen every summer? Geoffrey Baer digs into Chicago's public gardens, plus visits West Englewood's Old Abe and a gate to nowhere in Streeterville.
Ask Geoffrey: 4/29
Gaga for Googie in River North
Geoffrey Baer visits a towering turtle, diamonds in River North, and a vanishing south side lake.
Playing Games in Chicago
Chicagoans are solving mysteries and playing games on date night and loving it! A panel of Chicago's gamers and puzzlers will talk about how geek has become chic -- and how you can get in on the play.
Ask Geoffrey: 3/25
Muralists Who Painted the Town
A Russian-born artist painted the town in the 1930s, but very little of his mural work is left. Where can you see these stunning panels? Geoffrey Baer answers this question and more in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: Chicago’s ‘Miracle House’
Geoffrey Baer tours a Miracle House, swings by a bobtail swing bridge, and makes some noise at a silent film studio in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: 2/18
Lake Forest & Streetcar Sandboxes
Geoffrey Baer looks into the history of the African-American community in Lake Forest and tells the sandy story of a streetcar secret in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: 2/11
Auto Wash Bowl, Balbo Column & Baldwin Ice Cream
Geoffrey Baer tells a sweet South Side success story, tests the waters at an unusual car wash, and finds the facts behind a fascist monument in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: 1/28
Trader Vic's & Wrigley Coal
A viewer remembers a gardenia-garnished cocktail from Trader Vic’s, but can’t recall the name. Geoffrey Baer plays drink detective in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Web Exclusive Ask Geoffrey
Buildings, Libraries & Train Stations
Discover Chicago's Ivy League enclave, a no-nastiness library, and a train station namesake on the south side.
Ask Geoffrey: 1/21
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.
Ask Geoffrey: 1/14
Honorary Ways, Silver Skates & Chicago River
Geoffrey Baer gets the cold, hard truth on why the Chicago River doesn't freeze over even during Chicago's bitter winters in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: 1/7
Zany ZIP Codes, Teamsters' Chicago Origins, and We <3 the Passing Show
Geoffrey Baer puts Chicago ZIP codes in order, traces the beginnings of the Teamsters union, and tells the story of the show behind a heart of silver in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
First Night Evanston
We learn about a New Year's Eve celebration that's bringing a community together.
Ask Geoffrey: 12/17
Kiosk Sphinx, Downtown Bank, & Hyde Park Church
Why did beautiful bronze reliefs at a Hyde Park church create an artistic controversy? Geoffrey Baer answers this question and more in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Web Exclusive Ask Geoffrey
Free Museum Visits, Camels & Remittance Drive
Geoffrey Baer answers your questions about visiting local museums for free, camels in Chicago, and how to get to Remittance Drive in this web exclusive edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: 11/19
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.
Ask Geoffrey: 11/12
Wicker Park Buildings High & Low, Gage Park's Pioneers
Geoffrey Baer answers your questions about Wicker Park buildings high and low, and Gage Park's pioneers, in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: 11/5
Geoffrey Baer uncovers the origins of St. Ignatius College Prep's building fragments and more in this revisited edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: 10/15
Geoffrey Baer visits the site of a famously tiny Loop restaurant, a suburban neighborhood endorsed by an Olympian, and those scary steel fire escapes on downtown buildings.
Ask Geoffrey: 10/8
In tonight’s edition of Ask Geoffrey, we revisit Chicago’s School Street, the history of Chicago’s civil defense unit, and a tree planted by Ulysses Grant in a South Side park.
Ask Geoffrey: 9/24
Mt. Prospect's Missing Mountain
Geoffrey Baer climbs the highest heights in Chicagoland, gets on his soapbox at Bughouse Square, and tours Chicago via World War I monuments in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Ask Geoffrey: 9/18
Geoffrey Baer cruises down the neon highway, revisits the toll roads of yesteryear, and recalls the days the sport of kings was king in Chicago sports.
Ask Geoffrey: 8/6
Geoffrey Explains Why There’s a Fish in a Tree, More
Why is there a trout among the trees alongside Golf Road? Geoffrey Baer tells the story of the one that got away and answers other viewer questions in tonight’s Ask Geoffrey.
Trending
Chicago Bears Say They Are Moving Forward With a Move to Indiana
Obama Presidential Center Is Ready for Its Close-Up: First Look at Obama Foundation’s ‘Beacon of Hope’ and Economic Engine
Officials Hold Groundbreaking for $7B Project to Redevelop Area Surrounding United Center
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza Launches Chicago Mayoral Campaign
Victory Lap on Digital Ad Tax Was Premature, Brandon Johnson Acknowledges
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter