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We hope you had a relaxing holiday. As you start your Friday, look back on these history-minded stories from WTTW News. |
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Historic Sears Sunken Garden dates back to 1907 and was designed as a place for Sears employees to take a break and enjoy some fresh air, without ever leaving the company's sprawling campus. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News) |
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It’s been 50 years since Sears traded in its sprawling headquarters campus on Chicago’s West Side for a tower in the Loop. But the faded retail giant’s legacy still looms large in North Lawndale, where the community that Sears built has, bit by bit, reclaimed remnants of its industrial past and turned the story of abandonment into an opportunity for reinvention.
Sears’ one-time catalog printing building — a block-long brick behemoth — has been converted into housing. The power plant that kept the campus humming is now a high school. And the “original Sears Tower,” a 14-story office building, has been transformed into a hub for nonprofits and rechristened Nichols Tower.
Next up on the restoration agenda: the historic Sears Sunken Garden. |
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Sponsor Message |
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Winter WonderFest is back December 5-January 4 at Navy Pier! Explore the ultimate indoor holiday experience with thrilling rides, giant slides, dazzling décor, and ice skating that the whole family can enjoy. Plus, every ticket includes a ride on the iconic Centennial Wheel for unforgettable views of the Pier's holiday light displays. Whether you’re planning a family outing, hosting visitors, or creating new holiday memories, WinterWonderFest has something for everyone. Don’t miss the magic. Get your tickets today at navypier.org! |
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Two people steppin' at an event. (Provided) |
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“Chicago is the steppin’ capital of the world.”
That’s a phrase coined by local DJ Sam Chatman, also known as the Godfather of Steppin’. And though the dance craze’s popularity has spread far and wide, no one can do it quite like the hometown originators.
Chicago steppin’ originated in the 1940s as a style of dancing called bopping, but evolved into steppin’ after Chatman noticed a friend breaking away from his partner and walking back toward her. Chatman then took to the mic and encouraged his friend to “step on.” Soon after, Chatman began printing the phrase on posters and flyers and it caught on quickly.
Chatman fell in love with music at an early age, but did not start DJing until his early 20s. He always had an ear for good music.
“People send me music from all over the country. I don’t know where that ear came from,” Chatman said. “Back in the day classic steppers music like The Temptations, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, The Ebonys, those were the keys for me. But now you can have music with a little hip-hop flavor.” |
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Church of the Holy Family opened in August 1860 with an interior by architect John Mills Van Osdel. (Marc Vitali / WTTW News) |
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A kind of architectural homecoming took place at Church of the Holy Family on Roosevelt Road. The great-great-grandnephew of John Mills Van Osdel — Chicago’s first architect — toured the glorious church interior designed by his relative in the mid-19th century. Bud Hopkins is himself a retired architect. The 88-year-old native Midwesterner has lived in Texas for 60 years, and he visited the church created by his great-great-granduncle bearing a family gift — more on that in a moment.
Holy Family Church survived the Chicago Fire of 1871, which started about one mile east. The O’Leary family, in fact, were parishioners. After it opened in August 1860, Holy Family became known as the “Ellis Island of the Midwest” for its welcoming attitude toward immigrants. It’s estimated that a third of Chicago’s Irish population can trace their roots directly to the church.
WTTW News met Bud Hopkins as he entered the historic church built by his distant uncle.
“I’m just amazed,” Hopkins said. “I mean, it’s so beautiful. I’ve seen pictures, but to actually experience it – well, it just does something to my heart.” |
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(Chicago Architectural Photographing Company) |
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Chicago’s landmark Uptown Theatre opened its doors in August 1925 with much fanfare. Like a lot of 100-year-olds, the building’s got some aches and pains — but it’s also got a dedicated community hoping to see the long-vacant movie palace restored and brought back to life. The theater’s centennial is being celebrated with the just-released book “The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace.”
“I have lived in the Uptown neighborhood for almost 20 years now,” said co-author Robert Loerzel. “I’ve walked past this building many times without going inside, and I could only imagine what is inside that huge hulking building. … If you’ve read about the theater or seen photos of its interior, none of that can quite prepare you for what you see when you step inside.”
The book is a treasure trove, tracing the development of the theater, its many lives and the ongoing preservation and restoration efforts. The Uptown Theatre boasts more than 4,300 seats, gorgeous architectural details everywhere you turn, and not one but three lobbies, including a cavernous showstopper of a main entrance.
“These immense spaces have so many details of architecture and art,” Loerzel said. “Little faces on the columns, sculptures, little flares of architecture. Pretty much every corner of the building has something like that to grab your attention. |
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Back in the Day: Dec. 26, 1999 - Chicago Soul and Funk Legend Curtis Mayfield Dies
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On this day 26 years ago, Curtis Mayfield, one of the most important songwriters of the 1960s and '70s whose music was synonymous with Chicago Soul, died at 57 from complications of type 2 diabetes. Known for impeccable grooves as much as socially conscious and righteous lyrics, Mayfield was responsible for undeniable classics like "Move On Up," "People Get Ready," "Superfly" and 'Keep on Pushing,'' which he recorded with his band The Impressions. He was born in 1942 at Cook County Hospital to a musical family on Chicago's North Side. Following a critical, exploratory and unmatched career, Mayfield suffered a fall in 1990 that paralyzed him. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, in 1991 as a member of the Impressions and in 1999 as a solo artist.
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What's your favorite thing about the holidays in Chicago? |
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. Here's what you had to say:
The way the city comes alive with lights, markets, and traditions—there’s a special sense of warmth and community in Chicago during the holidays. - Williams Transportation Solutions
Well, one was visiting the toy department at Sears. Santa Claus was in the shoe repair cubby in the basement. - James L. Chevas Sr.
Friends, Community and Joy! - Camp Chi
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5:30 PM | 7:00 PM |
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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