Chicago is a city that’s full of historical places and hidden mysteries everywhere you look. From Indigenous landmarks to gangster hideouts, few places in the United States of America have more history to experience. For any history lover, the Windy City is a must-see destination that’s full of surprises. Below are some of the top destinations and neighborhoods to help you plan your ultimate history-centered visit to the wonderful city by the lake, Chicago.
Get Ready for Chicago
Tucked in the blustery southwest corner of Lake Michigan is Chicago, a city of just under 3 million people. Its towering steel skyscrapers, rail industry, music, art, and criminal history have influenced American culture and identity like few other places. If you’re visiting the city, you’ll find incredible museums, cultural centers, landmarks, and more that celebrate the city’s legacy and impact on American culture. From gangster hideouts, speakeasies, sports stadiums like Wrigley Field, and music venues that played a major role in the birth of American Jazz and Blues, there’s something for everyone. With a modern public transportation system, that’s easy to follow and superb walkability, you’ll be able to get around easily to explore the city’s landmarks and sights.
5. Experience Native American History
The United States’ third largest city was originally the home of several Native American tribes. Today, the city’s heritage is preserved in monuments, community groups, events, and the thousands of Indigenous Americans who call Chicago home. You can see a reminder of the city’s rich Indigenous history by visiting the Kwanusila Totem pole, located in the Lakeview Neighborhood. The totem pole is a replica carved from red cedar and features carvings that represent the sacred Thunderbird, Kwanusila.
Like many other cities in the United States, Chicago became a relocation center after the disastrous Indian Relocation Act of 1956, which ended the recognition and federal funding of many Native American tribes, leading many Indigenous People to search for opportunities in cities like Chicago. According to a report from the University of Illinois, the city is home to one of the largest concentrations of Native Americans in the country. One of the city’s major community centers established for preserving Native American history and culture is the American Indian Center, located just a few blocks from the Kimball Subway Station. This beautiful center started in 1953 as the first urban Indian center in the country. Today, it puts on events, workshops, and classes for visitors and members of the Native American community.
For an in-depth look at the city’s Indigenous history, don’t miss the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian. Since its founding in 1977, the museum has curated exhibits featuring Indigenous artifacts ranging from food, agriculture, language, and traditions, to transportation, defense, and religion. It’s full of interactive works, lifesize replicas, and a wealth of information and guides.
4. Visit the Pullman Historic District
President Barack Obama helped establish the Pullman Historic Park in 2015. It was one of the country’s first industrial communities planned by the government. It was the home of major moments in American history, such as the 1894 Pullman Strike and Boycott. The Pullman Company was one of the world’s leading rail industries during the 19th century. To attract high-skilled workers, the company designed an attractive neighborhood near the worksite. What followed were waves of workers from diverse backgrounds who settled in the neighborhood.
When an economic depression hit in 1893, the workers’ wages were cut but their rents remained the same. In response, they led a strike that almost led to the collapse of the US rail industry. Eventually, federal troops arrived and gunned down over a dozen workers. To make peace with an uneasy public, President Grover Cleveland enacted the first Labor Day celebration in 1894.
When you visit this historical landmark in the neighborhood of Pullman, you’ll travel back in time to the 19th century, when Chicago was the hub of Western expansion and industrialization that pushed the country’s infrastructure west. First, visit the historical Administration Clock Tower Building. This beautiful tower was built in 1880 and was the central heart of the massive manufacturing complex, which provided thousands of rail industry jobs to the city. The building is now home to the National Park Service visitor center, where you can find information on the site and the history of the Pullman Company.
After seeing the clock tower, stop by the Pullman House Project. This historical foundation and cafe is located inside a restored former home of the Pullman company’s General Manager. There are other houses with preserved 19th-century interiors and items from the golden era of Chicago’s rail industry.
3. Learn About Chicago’s African American Heritage and Art
Chicago’s African American community has left a mark on the city’s cultural framework and history. The community is responsible for the city’s contributions to American music, science, art, cuisine, literature, and medicine. Just a few famous Black Chicagoans include the Orthodontist Earl Wiley Renfroe, Scientist Carl Cotton, poet Margaret Burroughs, and legendary musician Lil Hardin Armstrong. One of the best places to go to learn about the city’s rich African American history is the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. This large museum houses around 15,000 pieces of art, artifacts, and memorabilia that document the lives and works of the city and the nation’s most influential African Americans. The museum is named after Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable, the Haitian-born first settler of the city. It was first inaugurated in 1961 by the influential poet, writer, and activist Margaret Taylor Burroughs.
From here, walk down Martin Luther King Drive and see the Bronzeville Walk of Fame. This stretch of highway features around 100 bronze plaques and monuments commemorating famous African Americans from the Bronzeville Neighborhood. There’s also a popular monument dedicated to the Great Northern Migration, the famous movement of millions of African Americans north after the Civil War. While in Bronzeville, don’t miss the Chicago Bee building, which was once home to the city’s local African American newspaper.
In the evening, try to visit one of Chicago’s historic jazz and blues bars. There are establishments such as The Green Mill where legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong performed. Before its jazz heritage, the bar was once the hangout spot for famous gangster Al Capone.
2. Follow the Remnants of the Great Chicago Fire
In 1871, a blaze erupted in the West Side, traveling throughout the city and burning everything in its path. Roads were built with wood and tar and buildings from timber. The city’s poorly constructed slums ignited, fueled by dry wooden structures and trees that didn’t see rain for over a month. In the end, over 300 people died and more than 17,000 buildings were burnt to the ground. The fire became the most famous disaster in US history. Today, you can follow the path of destruction and visit memorials dedicated to the tragic event.
The first monument is the Wooden Alley. This short alley between State Parkway and Astor Street is the only surviving street that was paved with wood. Nearby, walk around Astor Street to see some of the oldest buildings in the city. Afterward, visit the St. James Cathedral on Wabash Avenue. This cathedral was burnt severely during the fire and only the bell tower remains. You can see the fire damage if you look above the front facade.
A few blocks away is the only surviving building from the fire, the Chicago Historical Water Tower. The building withstood the intense heat and flames of the fire because it was built from limestone. The towering building is now a gallery for local photographers and artists. After your visit, walk around Jane M. Byrne Plaza, one of the most beautiful green spaces in the city.
1. Walk Around the Chicago History Museum
If you’re short on time or want the ultimate destination to experience the city’s long and influential history, head to the Chicago History Museum. Here, you’ll see endless exhibits about the city’s history. The museum has been around since 1856 and has amassed a huge collection of historical documents, photos, and books related to Chicago.
Inside, you’ll see artifacts and memorabilia that chronicle the city’s most historical events and figures. From music, sports, and architecture to politics, the museum is well-curated and endlessly entertaining. It has professional guides ready to take you around. Their expertise makes visiting even more rewarding, especially if you love learning about the often-forgotten parts of history.
One highlight of the museum is its extensive collection of photographs. Many of the images come from the Chicago Sun-Times. These pictures will take you back to the city’s most publicized events and everyday life.
Throughout the year, new exhibits rotate and bring new and exciting energy to the museum. You can also watch documentaries, hear lectures, or just enjoy walking around and learning as you go. Don’t miss looking out over Lincoln Park from its massive windows. It has plenty of outdoor space to relax after your visit. It’s also home to the North & Clark Cafe, the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and drink a cup of coffee.
