Architecture of Mysterious Chicago: Architecture and Crime Walking Tour

Everywhere you go in Chicago, history peaks through the cracks. The architecture in the loop is incomparable - you can see stunning art deco, classic beaux arts, elegant modernism, and bold post-modernism while standing in one spot! But what strange stories and unsolved mysteries happened inside of them?

Join MYSTERIOUS CHICAGO author Adam Selzer for an insightful evening of architecture and dark history as he shares the stories behind some of the Chicago loop's most notable buildings . Inside of this incredible architecture lurked blackmailers, "black widow" killers, con artists, and even some bits about the "houses of ill repute" that once dotted the area. The route has played host to submarine wrecks, airship crashes, car chases, and possibly a burial ground. And of course, there's the architecture and the architects behind it - who were pretty colorful characters themselves! Perfect for the night before the Air and Water Show - and at a special low price for the weekend!

The walking tour is endlessly fascinating, ridiculously informative, and totally entertaining. You won't just learn what to look for in architecture, you'll hear which gangster jumped out of which building —all based on deep research into primary sources, not just urban legends. We can tell you which buildings Al Capone was REALLY in.

Adam Selzer is the author of Mysterious Chicago, H.H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil, and more than twenty other books, including Graceland Cemetery: Chicago Stories, Symbols, and Secrets, and the upcoming Chicago's Serial Husband: The Marriages and Murders of Johann Hoch.. He hosts the popular Mysterious Chicago virtual tours and is a regular talking head on the History Channel, the Travel Channel, PBS, and more!

ADDITIONAL IN-PERSON DETAILS

-The tour begins in the historic Pickwick Place courtyard, on Jackson Boulevard between State Street and Wabash Avenue, across from the Barnes and Noble (see the pic above with the coffee shop). The best address to punch into a map app is 20 E Jackson. It ends a couple of blocks away, outside of the Harold Washington Library, after proceeding on a path through the loop/financial district. Look for Adam with the headset mic!

-This tour runs rain or shine.

-This is the day before the Air and Water Show. How this might affect traffic is anyone's guess! We'll make sure to put in some strange air and water travel history stories that took place right on the route.

-ADA Access limited by the quality of Chicago’s sidewalks. They're not too bad, though.

-The starting location is convenient to public transportation; Pickwick Place is within two blocks of the Jackson Red or Blue line stops, the Library/Van Buren Brown Line, or the Adams/Wabash stop on the Brown, Pink, Green, Orange, or Purple lines). The #29 State bus also stops at Jackson Boulevard nearby.

-Plenty of parking lots and garages are nearby, but street parking and free parking are very hard to find in the Loop. We recommend using the SpotHero app to find a place nearby - there are some lots for around 10 bucks just a few blocks away!

Below, see a video of Adam telling some of the stories - then join us for an unforgettable way to explore one of the world's greatest downtowns!

Also check out other Arts events in Chicago, Literary Art events in Chicago, Workshops in Chicago.