illinois

The Great Chicago Fire: The disaster from 1871, and a look back from 100 years later

Back in 1871, The Great Chicago Fire killed an estimated 200 to 300 people, destroyed more than three square miles of the city, and left 100,000 people homeless.

Alphonse Capone - Al Capone mugshots 1939

How ‘Scarface’ Al Capone served hard time at Alcatraz (1930s)

In the ’30s, Chicago gang leader Al Capone was imprisoned for income tax evasion, and served most of his time on Alcatraz, where he faced constant death threats.

See 200 vintage license plates for all the American states & beyond

Look back at more than 200 vintage license plates issued through the 20th century – including ones for every American state & territory – plus some special plates, too.

The Kerner Report, a groundbreaking 1968 study of racism in America, was ignored by the president who ordered it

Note that these stories are presented as they were written in 1968. Some of the wording, such as the use of the term “Negro,” reflects

Basement remodeling ideas from 1958 - Western theme decor

Vintage basement decor from the ’40s & ’50s: See 25 creative remodels

Check out these 12 retro basement remodels, including a ranch room with a Western atmosphere, created with cowhide furniture, a totem pole, and a colorful pattern for the floor copied from a Navajo blanket.

Devastation from deadly tornadoes St Louis 1896 (7)

See 20 pictures of the devastation caused by the deadly St Louis tornado in 1896

See damage caused by the St Louis tornado in May 1896 – considered one of the deadliest on record with at least 255 lives lost – and get the whole story.

When you could ride the rails in style: Train cars from the 1940s

During World War II, the railroad companies had to devote their resources to the war effort by transporting troops around the country. Here’s a look back at some of what the railroads were offering to entice passengers back in the late ’40s!

Looking back at the history of Chicago (1977)

It is hard to believe that only two centuries ago, Chicago was a lonely marshland of trees and tall grass, a place with an abundance of wild onions, from which the Iroquois gave it its name, Chicagou.

Cross the country with these vintage US road maps

Take a look at a more than 20 vintage road maps below, apparently preserved for years in car gloveboxes across the nation!

Jefferson’s secret message to congress about Lewis & Clark (1803)

Transcript of Jefferson’s Secret Message to Congress Regarding the Lewis & Clark Expedition (1803) Confidential Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

A view on birth control from 1915

Letter to the Editor: Child birth control Letter from Allen Steven, published on June 02, 1915 in The Day Book (Chicago, Illinois) We are long since rid of

Illinois: Farm land from $8 to $12 an acre (1863)

ILLINOIS. Is about equal in extent to England. with a population of 1,722. No State in the Valley of the Mississippi offers so great an inducement to the settler as the State of Illinois.