Chicago's iconic Willis Tower, still called the Sears Tower by many Windy City residents, was sold for $1.3 billion to New York investment firm Blackstone Group last week. The price tag for the 110-story building -- the second-tallest in the United States -- was the highest for any office building outside New York City. The … Continue reading Chicago’s Willis Tower sold for $1.3 billion
Tag: Chicago
Ernie Banks broke the Cubs color line
I didn't know this until nearly two days after his death, but Ernie Banks, aka Mr. Cub, essentially was the first player to break the color line with Chicago's National League baseball club. Sports writer Joe Posnanski explains: At that time in the National League, just about every black player played in New York, either … Continue reading Ernie Banks broke the Cubs color line
Teen with rare aging disease is touring Route 66
Sammy Basso, an 18-year-old Italian boy afflicted with progeria, a rare genetic disease that ages him prematurely, is traveling Route 66, and a subsidiary with the National Geographic Channel is documenting the journey, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The folks in Pontiac, Illinois, in typical fashion, rolled out the red carpet for him: Basso, his … Continue reading Teen with rare aging disease is touring Route 66
Proposed Chicago park may include Route 66 museum
View Larger Map A small lot on the corner of Wabash Avenue and Adams Street in downtown Chicago that's planned as a Chicago Symphony Orchestra Park may include a small Route 66 museum to recognize its location on Route 66, according to a story in DNAinfo. The so-called pocket park would sit just west of the … Continue reading Proposed Chicago park may include Route 66 museum
Interactive map sorts 1935-1945 photos
Starting in 1935, photographers with the New Deal's Farm Security Administration began documenting life in the United States during the Great Depression and, later, World War II. More than 170,000 photos were taken, and a few of them became famous, including Dorothea Lange's now-iconic image of a migrant mother. Although the vast majority of images … Continue reading Interactive map sorts 1935-1945 photos
Cracks appear on Skydeck Ledge of Willis Tower
Cracks spidered on the transparent floor of a Skydeck Ledge of Chicago's Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, after visitors stood on it 103 floors above ground level, according to various media reports. The NBC affiliate in Chicago posted this video: The Chicago Tribune reported: "I had my palms on the floor and … Continue reading Cracks appear on Skydeck Ledge of Willis Tower
Suburban Chicago county approves Route 66 marketing plan
The board of Will County, Ill., recently approved a new marketing plan for a long-overlooked section of Route 66 from Joliet to Braidwood, reported the Southtown Star. The newspaper said: There is an “untapped tourism potential” here, and tying all these natural, recreational and historical amenities together is historic Route 66, said project consultant Ferhat … Continue reading Suburban Chicago county approves Route 66 marketing plan