Chicago Trivia Questions

Q: Musically, there's not a much more maligned genre than disco. Disc Jockey Steve Dahl had more reason than most to have a problem with it. In 1979 he was fired when his radio station switched to an all-disco format. So, after his move to WLUP, he and a few other hustle-haters came up with the idea to let baseball fans into the Sox-Tigers July 12 double header for 98 cents. In exchange, the fans brought disco records to be blown up in the middle of Comiskey Park in between the two games. The bomb tore a hole in the field (duh), fans threw records as frisbees (again, duh), and the Sox had to forfeit the second game. Despite the disastrous results, it seems that Dahl got his wish. Disco peaked the next year. One of his fellow promoters, however, did not. Who was blacklisted from Major League Baseball as a result of this fiasco?

Email your answer to trivia@thelocaltourist.com by midnight, July 14. The winner will receive admission for two to "Music and Lyrics," an evening of wine, chocolates, and entertainment in University Village.

Q: Six Flags and other great amusement parks owe a big thank you to Chicago. Inspired by the Midway from the World’s Columbian Exposition, Paul Boyton opened Paul Boyton’s Water Chute on July 4, 1894 at 63rd & Drexel. His park, the first one to charge admission and to focus on a man-made amusement instead of a beach or a picnic grove, prompted a whole string of parks until, for a brief time, Chicago had the highest number of contained carnivals in the country.

For this week’s prize, where did Paul Boyton open his second amusement park?

A: Congratulations to Beth Tryon for knowing that Paul Boyton's second park was opened on the famous Coney Island.

Q: Taste of Chicago takes over Grant Park from June 27 through July 6 this year. One of the most recognizable symbols of the park, and of the city itself, is Buckingham Fountain. Kate Buckingham dedicated the landmark in memory of her brother Clarence in 1927. What other great fountain was her inspiration?

A: Congratulations to Schae Lewis. She knew that Buckingham Fountain was modeled after the Latona Basin in Versailles.

Q: Fifty years ago, on June 22, 1958, the last streetcar ran in Chicago. The decade-old Chicago Transit Authority had switched from the difficult to maneuver cable-bound cars to more economical and swifter buses. What was the nickname of the last streetcar?

A: Congratulations to Nancy Helman. She knew that the last streetcar was named the Green Hornet. Incidentally, there’s been talk lately of bringing it back!

Q: This week the legendary Jazz Showcase is reopening, this time in Printers Row at Dearborn Station. When did Joe Segal first open the renowned club?

A: Congratulations to Melissa A for knowing that the original Jazz Showcase opened in 1947.

Q: This weekend is the 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival. A few legends, including Koko Taylor and B.B. King will be performing. Sadly, blues legend Bo Diddley passed away earlier this week. The passing of another great 26 years ago prompted the first blues fest in 1984, and since then most fests have been themed for a deceased musician. Who was the inspiration for the first Chicago Blues Festival ? (Hint: they’ve got a whole night dedicated to him.)

A: Congratulations to Jake Young. He knew that the first Blues Fest was inspired by the Father of Chicago Blues, Muddy Waters.

Q: Navy Pier is the most popular tourist destination in Chicago. Locals tend to snub their noses at the landmark, but it actually has quite a bit to offer. Besides the dinner and tour boats docked along the side and the beer garden with its live music during the summer, the pier also has significant history and played important roles in both military and scholastic worlds. To win this week's prize, what type of military training was offered during World War II?

Q: In many countries May 1 is celebrated as International Workers Day. Although it's not a holiday in the United States, the Haymarket Riot was the impetus. May 1, 1886 was set by the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions as the official start date of the 8-hour work day. Protests were organized around the country and Chicago was considered the center of the movement. On May 3 four striking workers were killed in a confrontation with police, and a rally the following day in Haymarket Square resulted in a massive riot with several casualties. Where was Haymarket Square?

A: Congratulations to Valerie Tucker! She knew that Haymarket Square was located at Randolph and Desplaines and gets to see NYCO at Park West. It's going to be a great show!

Q: Artropolis takes over the Merchandise Mart April 25 - 28. This historic landmark has 4,000,000 square feet of floor space, its own zip code, and takes up two square city blocks. Whose brainchild was this monument to shopping?

A: Congratulations to Greg Merkley! He knew that Marshall Field conceived the idea of the Merchandise Mart and wins a $75 certificate to the new spot Chocolate Grape.

Q: This week's prize is a guided shopping tour through Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. It's one of the city's more eclectic enclaves and is known for it's boutiques and for its live music venues. Located northwest of downtown, the area's been populated since the 1830's. Where did the neighborhood get it's name?

A: Congratulations to Melissa A! She knew that Bucktown was named after the number of goats raised in the neighborhood in the 19th Century. A male goat is a buck.

Q: Just south of Kinzie Street and north of where the Chicago River splits stands a perpetually raised bridge. This bridge marks the spot where a crack in an underground tunnel caused by construction crews allowed the river to pour in, starting a massive flood that filled buildings throughout the Loop and prompted an evacuation. The public was notified when WMAQ radio reporter Larry Langford investigated a report that fish were in the basement of the Merchandise Mart and noticed a drain-like swirl. When did this flood fill downtown Chicago’s underground?

A: Congratulations to Doug Keyzer. He knew that the Chicago flood occured on April 13, 1992.

Q: On April 3, 1848, the Chicago Board of Trade opened. Since then it's moved a couple of times, once because of the Chicago Fire, until settling into its current location at LaSalle and Jackson. Where was the CBOT originally located?

A: Congratulations to Michele Pfeilschifter! She knew that the Chicago Board of Trade was originally located at 101 S Water St.

Q: Five years ago this Sunday, construction crews ripped big X's in the runway at Meigs Field in the middle of the night. When did the airport officially open?

A: Congratulations to Rita Nelson! She knew that Meigs Field opened in 1948.

Q: It's world water week, and UNICEF is raising money to provide clean water to children in developing nations. The Chicago River was reversed to stop the pollution of Lake Michigan, where Chicagoans get their drinking water. When was this engineering feat achieved?

A: Congratulations to Consuelo! She knew that the river was reversed in 1900.

Q: It's a long-standing tradition, and one of the quirks of Chicago, that every year for St. Patrick's Day the river is dyed green. Who's the company responsible for turning the river chartreuse?

A: Congratulations to Rachel S.. She knew that the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers spill they dye into the river each year.

Q: March 3 was Casimir Pulaski day, which is celebrated the first Monday of every March in Chicago. Who was he?

A: Congratulations to Carolyn Healy! She knew that Casimir Pulaski was the father of American cavalry. He gets his own holiday in Chicago because of the city's large Polish population.

Q: Bunnies are known more for hopping than leaping, but on Leap Day 1960 the very first Playboy Club jumped into the Chicago scene. Hugh Hefner was actually inspired - right down to the bunny costumes - by another Chicago private club. What was the name of that club and who founded it?

A: Congratulations to Lourdes Garza! The Gaslight Club, founded by Burton Browne, was the original private club that gave Hugh Hefner his inspiration for the Playboy Club.

Q: On the last Sunday in February is Hustle Up The Hancock, an annual stairclimb race that ends at the 94th level observation deck. While the building is situated on some of Chicago's most valuable real estate, the land beneath used to be a sandbar. For this week's prize, the Hancock was purportedly built on the shanty of what colorful Chicago character?

A: Congratulations to Jim Bryan! He knew that George "Cap" Streeter was the enterprising rapscallion whose shanty sat in the spot underneath the Hancock Building.

Q: Valentine's Day is meant to celebrate love, but in 1929 one of the most infamous acts of the mobster era was perpetrated on the holiday. Al Capone's men murdered 7 of his rival's Bugs Moran's in what became known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. What was the address of the warehouse where this dastardly deed took place?

A: Amanda Gilmore knew that 2122 N Clark St, or the SMC Cartage Company, was the location of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Congratulations! She'll receive 3 hours of personal or business concierge services from Chocolates On My Pillow!

Q: This weekend the 100th Chicago Auto Show begins. However, the show didn't run consecutively for the last century because of World War II. What year did the first auto show take place?

A: Lisa Green knew that the first Chicago Auto Show was actually in 1901. Congratulations!

Q: Sam Zell, who recently purchased Tribune Company, has his headquarters in the former Chicago Daily News building. If you've taken an architectural riverboat tour, or visited Union Station, you'll recognize it. It's the art deco building with the large formal plaza facing the river. Zell wants to put a high rise there.

Because of its history, the media mogul could get a tax break for restoring the landmark building instead of crowding the open space. Who was the famed architectural team that designed Two North Riverside Plaza?

A: Congratulations, Melissa Driscoll, for knowing that Holabird & Root were the architects. The famous firm also designed the Chicago Board of Trade and the Palmolive Building.

Q: Chicago has a reputation for political corruption and police brutality, which have both been in the forefront lately. There was a time when Chicago was entirely without a police force after the whole department was fired by an outgoing Mayor. When was this, and for how long?

A: Congratulations to Eric Peterson for knowing that Mayor John Wentworth fired sixty patrolmen, three sergeants, three lieutenants, and one captain on his exit, and the city was without a police force for 12 hours.

Q: Illinois legislators are scrambling again to avoid the 3rd potential transit doomsday on January 20. Originally private companies ran Chicago's public transportation system. It may seem like a cruel joke now, but the government took over public transportation because those companies couldn't get their acts together and the 'L' was in danger of being shut down. To win this week's prize, what year was the CTA created?

A: Congratulations to Kelly Gorham, who knew that the Chicago Transit Authority was formed in 1947.

Q: Although Chicago is still extremely segregated, it actually was home to the first integrated hospital, Provident Hospital. Prominent black surgeon Dr. Daniel Hale Williams was the founder of the hospital, and he also performed the world’s first open-heart surgery on stabbing victim James Cornish, saving his life. What year was this groundbreaking hospital founded, and when did Dr. Williams perform the life-saving procedure?

A: Congratulations to Sheryl Hochwert! She knew that Dr. Williams performed the first open-heart surgery 1893 two years after the hospital opened in 1891.

Q: Jewelry's one of the most popular gifts during the holiday season, and Chicago's oldest business is a jeweler. What year was C.D. Peacock founded?

TLT has no association w/ C.D. Peacock. I just think it's cool that they've been around as long as they have!

A: Congratulations to Sharon & David Ranken! They knew that C.D. Peacock was founded in 1837, and that year is significant in Chicago's history because that's when the city was incorporated.

Q: December 5 is Repeal Day. The 21st Amendment was passed on this day in 1933 and effectively ended Prohibition, and the gangsters' hold on the city. How many years in prison did Al Capone receive for his crimes during this period?

A: Congratulations to Katie Miller! She knew that the nefarious criminal only received 11 years.

Q: Goose Island is more than just a local brewery. It's named after an actual island in the Chicago River. This was formed when Chicago's first mayor dug a canal in the north branch. Who was he?

A: Congratulations to Ralph Jacobazzi! He knew Chicago's first mayor was William Butler Ogden.

Q: The Christkindlmarket is starting its 12th year in Daley Plaza, but the concept has been around for centuries. What year did the original one start, and where was it?

A: The first one was in Nuremburg, Germany, in 1545. Congratulations to Sherrie R!

Q: This Saturday is the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, which begins the "official" start of the holiday season with activities, a procession down Michigan Avenue, and fireworks. What was the original name of Chicago's most famous street?

A: Congratulations to Melissa A! She knew that the Magnificent Mile was originally called Pine Street. There was a Michigan Avenue south of the river, and on the north it was named after the free-standing pines. It was changed after the bridge was built to connect the two.

Q: The phrase "slipping someone a mickey" has origins in Chicago history. Where did it come from?

Thanks to my good friend Michael Tipler for providing this week's question. As far as I know, he has never slipped anyone a mickey.

A: Christie Herr knew that Mickey Finn used to drop some drugs into his patrons' drinks, and then rob them, so this lucky lady gets to dine at DeLaCosta (where I'm sure she'll be safe). You can read more on Wikipedia.

Q: This week's prize is four passes to see necromancer Neil Tobin's "Supernatural Chicago" in the basement of Excalibur. Considered one of the most haunted buildings in Chicago, who was its originial tenant?

A: Congratulations to Elizabeth Given! She knew that the original tenant was the Chicago Historical Society. In a tie to the previous week's question, one of the "ghosts" is suspected to be Jean LaLime!

Q: Another nefarious character has a street named after him. John Kinzie was a traitor, a spy, and a murderer - and Chicago's first Justice of the Peace. Whose home did he purchase when he moved to Chicago and why is that ironic? (Hint: check the blog.)

A: This had a few possible answers. One, that Kinzie bought the home from Jean La Lime and ended up killing him, was provided by this week's winner, Ellen Kokoris. Another was that the home was originally Jean Baptiste Point duSable's; the irony is that the first permanent settler's home was purchased by the first white settler's home. It was also ironic that Kinzie, a man of questionable character, has a street named after him while duSable, whose reputation is much more reputable, does not.

Q: Stretching from State Street to Lake Shore Drive, Balbo Drive may be short but it's a familiar name in Chicago. But who was Balbo, and why would a street in the heart of the city be named after him?

Thanks again to Gene Kraus for providing this week's question. He's an independent tour guide and also volunteers with the Chicago Greeters, a free program run by the city. He's a veritable font of knowledge about Chicago!

A: Congratulations to Barbara Steadman! She knew that Italo Balbo was a general for Mussolini who led a fleet of planes from Rome to Chicago during the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair.

Q: October 8 was the 136th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, which started in Mrs. O'Leary's barn, allegedly by her infamous cow. What are other possible explanations for the start of this tragic fire that leveled most of the city?

A: There were a few alternative reasons for the beginning of the Chicago Fire, and Amanda Perkett recounted that Daniel "Peg Leg" Sullivan might have started the fire by dropping a match or an ember from his pipe, or by kicking over a lamp.

Q: October is Chicago Book Month. A recently published book details the escapades of the infamous Everleigh sisters, whose club was the source for a trivia question way back in June. This week's question: which Mayor shut down the infamous brothel? (hint: search TLT)

A: Congratulations to Ann Torp! She correctly identified the honorable Mayor Carter Harrison, Jr., as the politician who sent the sisters packing.

Q: Friday, September 28, is a black-tie gala that celebrates public art in Chicago. We're all familiar with the Picasso in Daley Plaza. What's the name of the piece by the Thompson Center, pictured here, and who was the artist?

A: Congratulations to Jacque Miller for knowing that the sculpture, created by Jean Dubuffet, is called "Monument With Standing Beast."

Q: Streeterville is the Chicago neighborhood east of Michigan Avenue and north of the river. It was named after Cap Streeter, who was quite a character even by Chicago standards. Read about the renegade, then send in your favorite anecdote to be eligible for this week's prize!

A: Stephanie Anne Kelly's favorite Cap Streeter story was:
When he was arrested for refusing "to disburse," he successfully argued in court that as he was only one person, he could not disburse. :)

Congratulations Stephanie!

Q: The peristyle in Millennium Park used to be the site of a baseball stadium. What team played there, and what did they later become? (Hint: check Wikipedia)

(Thank you to Gene Kraus for this week's trivia question.)

A: Congratulations to Charlotte Kreykes! Her correct response was chosen: The baseball team that used to play in Millennium Park was known as the Chicago White Stockings and is today known as the Chicago Cubs.

Q: Grant Park is considered Chicago's front yard, and hosts those downtown festivals that help to make summer in the city so great. How did it begin, and why is so much prime real estate allowed to go undeveloped?

A: Congratulations to Kim Gorham! She correctly answered that It began as a landfill. It remain a free park because Aaron Montgomery Ward deeded the existing land to the city and specified that it was to remain "free and clear".

Q: This weekend is the 29th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival. It had a pretty convoluted beginning. What was the reason for the first jazz concert in Grant Park? (Hint - check the blog.)

A: Congratulations to Susan Wolf! She correctly answered that in 1974 Duke Ellington passed away and local musicians held a memorial concert for the jazz legend.

*This week's prize can be used as an experiential session to see what it is like to be in hypnosis with included suggestions for increased self confidence/esteem OR can be used as payment for first session on a 3 session package to work on a specific issue.

Q: What was the Chicago Air & Water Show called its first year?

A: Lakeshore Park Air & Water Show

Congratulations to Jill Berry! Her correct answer was chosen as the winner.

Q: Why does downtown Chicago sometimes smell like chocolate?

A: To quote many of you who responded with the correct answer, "because of Blommer's Chocolate Factory, of course!" Established in 1939 (thanks Bobbi Chiodo!), it's the only factory in the Chicago area that processes raw cocao. It's located just west of the river at Kinzie and Milwaukee so the scent often wafts over downtown.

This week's winner is Francis Kaggwa! Congratulations! (Read my review of this week's prize.)

Q: What was the first Pullman car called? (Hint - check the blog.)

A: The Pioneer!

More and more are entering, and this week's winner is Susan Wolf! Congratulations!

Q: What is the theme for this year's Venetian Night?

A: "Chicago's Finest Moments"

This week's question was the most popular one yet! And the lucky winner is...Nikkie Hartmann!

Q: This weekend is Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party. When was the first block party? Also, when was the church founded, and why is it the oldest public building in the city of Chicago?

A: The first block party was in 1985. The church was founded in 1841 (although I also accepted 1846, a date mentioned on Old St. Pat's website, and 1856, when the church building was dedicated). It's the oldest public building in the city of Chicago because is was just missed by the Great Fire in 1871.

This week's winner is Jessica Rosenthal!

Q: What is Chicago's Latin motto? Name one event this weekend that celebrates its meaning.

A: "Urbs In Horto," which means City In A Garden. There were several events that celebrate its meaning. The winner, Joyce Steenbergen, selected the Dearborn Garden Walk and Heritage Festival. She also could have mentioned the Garden Party at Marche or the Lurie Garden Tours.

This week's trivia quiz winner is Joyce Steenbergen! Several answered correctly and she was chosen randomly to receive this week's prize!

Q: This week guest writer Adam Carter (yes, he's my brother) has delved into the life and lore of Chicago's favorite bad boy, Al Capone. Check out what he found, then tell me who cut Capone's face, and how many times he was cut.

A: Frank Gallucio sliced Capone's left cheek three times. "Scarface" had told Gallucio's sister that she had a nice ass, and the protective brother took offense at that.

This week's trivia quiz winner is another Melissa - Melissa Liotus! Several answered correctly and she was chosen randomly to receive this week's prize!

Q: What was the first year of the Taste of Chicago and where was it located?

A: The first year of the Taste of Chicago was 1980, and took place just north of the river on Michigan Avenue, between the Wrigley & Tribune buildings.

Congratulations to Melissa Driscoll! Several answered correctly and she was chosen randomly to receive this week's prize!

Q: What was the Everleigh Club? (This answer can also be found on The Local Tourist.)

A: The Everleigh Club was a high class brothel run by Ada & Minna Everleigh in the early 1900s.

Congratulations to Katie Del Ciello! Several answered correctly and she was chosen randomly to receive this week's prize!

Q: Who was the first settler (non-Native American) of Chicago? (hint: the answer can be found on The Local Tourist!)

A: Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. There are many, many sources, but it could also be found on TLT's article about the history of the Chicago River.

Congratulations to Lisa Iadevaia! Several answered correctly and she was chosen randomly to receive this week's prize!

©2008 The Local Tourist
Theresa Carter, Chicago, IL