For most historians if you mention Chicago and the year 1893, they will immediately think of the World's Colombian Exposition. However, there was much more going on in Chicago during that year that still resonates today. Beyond the excitement surrounding the Fair, 1893 was pivotal for the many new contributions, innovations, and changes that impacted the city and beyond. Many Chicago institutions we know today are tied to or originated during that year. A short list would include the first Chicago Cubs stadium, the tamale, the hot dog, Wrigley chewing gum, and much more.

This monumental year holds many interesting stories well beyond the White City as a backdrop that was in direct contrast with Chicago's work-a-day world, some would call "Gray City." Join us in this episode for the extraordinary changes and important events of 1893, as we speak with historian and author Joe Gustaitis to set the scene for an upcoming episode focused on the Colombian Exposition and the White City.

author Findley Peter Dunneauthor Henry Blake Fullerauthor George AdeMarshall FieldBusy State Street c.1893Swami Vivekananda

Three successive buildings of the Marshall Field & Company Store on State StreetThe very first World's Parliament of Religions held at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1893West Side Grounds from 1906 World Series Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox

Links to Research and Historic Sources:

1893, Chicago's Greatest Year, by Joseph Gustaitis Chicago Literary Renaissance, Encyclopedia of ChicagoA History of Midland Authors, Part 1, by Robert Loerzel on the Society of Midland AuthorsParliament of the World's Religions in 1893, from the Harvard University's Pluralism ProjectBio of Swami Vivekananda who brought Yoga to the United StatesBio of Julius RosenwaldMarshall Field & Company State Street Stores, ChicaogologyBio of Hamlin Garland who helped create The Attic Club, which two years later was renamed The Cliff Dwellers ClubSelfridge'sHistory of the Vienna Beef Co.The history of Chicago National League Ball Parks including the West Side Grounds on ChicagologyGeneral Santa Anna and chicleChicle the natural chewing gumHistory of the Wrigley Company, from the Made In Chicago websiteFrancis Willard House Museum & Archives in Evanston, ILWomen's (Bike) History Month: Francis Willard, by Liz MurphyCycling in Chicago, by Chris McAuliffe as reviewed by Zachary Schuster in Cyclocross Magazine