15 Facts About Chicago You Never Knew Were True
×
Elizabeth Crozier
Author
So, you think you know everything about Chicago. You know all the best places to eat, shop, work out, and have fun, but you may not know about some things that make our city unique. These 15 fun facts may astound or remind you just how epic Chicago truly is.
From fabulous inventions to nationwide firsts, Chicago is home to many wonders. Keep scrolling to discover them all.
Chicago is blessed with 26 miles of shoreline, including 18.5 miles of trails and LSD. For most, this is the best gym in the city.
The first splitting of an atom, which lead to nuclear power and the A bomb, was performed under Staff Field at the University of Chicago. Now, Illinois is the nuclear power plant capital of the world.
Advertisement
It's an actual fact that Batman's city is based architecturally on Chicago. They’ve even filmed many of the movies here.
Advertisement
Invented in Schiller Park in 1930, these yellow sponge cakes used to be filled with banana cream, but it was changed to vanilla when bananas became scarce during World War II.
This historic road begins in downtown Chicago at E Adams Street just west of Michigan Avenue. It runs through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and California, ending in Santa Monica and spanning 2,448 miles in total.
More wondrous feats abound at this attraction than the Skydeck. The elevators move as fast as 1,600 feet per minute, getting people to the 103rd floor in no time.
What more do we need to say? He's responsible for just about every cartoon you or your children probably grew up with. He was born in December of 1901 in the neighborhood of Hermosa.
Related Stories
Locals Can't Get Enough Of The Artisan Creations At This Tiny Neighborhood Bakery In Illinois
With An Art Museum, Gardens, Mega-Playground, And Concert Venue, This Illinois Park Is the Ultimate Family Destination
Spice Up Your Summer At The Chinatown Summer Fair In Chicago
Jane Addams was known her humanitarian work. She built a home for immigrants and was a huge proponent of women's rights and a leader in women's suffrage. She is known as the "mother" of social work.
Advertisement
German immigrant, Henry Gerber came to America in 1913 and was appalled by the way homosexuals were being treated in the Chicago area. He was temporarily placed in a mental institute due to his sexuality, and in 1924 founded the Society for Human Rights in Chicago. It published the first documented gay rights publication in the U.S.
The first Ferris wheel was introduced at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and was one of the most popular marvels by far. Today, they can be found at just about any carnival or fair, but the one at Navy Pier is a little extra special.
Known as the Raising of Chicago, this engineering feat was completed in the 1950s and 1960s. The city used to be on the same level as Lake Michigan, causing standing water to ruin living conditions, but now it is easier to keep dry.
So as not to pollute Lake Michigan, the flow of the Chicago river was reversed in 1900. Now, it flows into the Mississippi River by the grace of canal locks and the brilliant masterminds behind the design.
Known as Chicagoa or Shikaakwa in its Native American tongue, our city gets its name from a term used for a land best for growing swamp and prairie plants.
Advertisement
Prohibition was the worst thing to happen to some folks - but the best for others. Capone's near monopoly on the Chicagoland market made him big bucks he'd only get to enjoy for a few years.
One of America's last free zoos, Lincoln Park bought its first animal in 1874 for $10 from the Philadelphia Zoo. It became good at escaping its cage and was known to roam the neighborhood at night.
For more interesting Chicago facts, check out these 11 things you didn’t know about the Willis (Sears) Tower.
Learn anything new from these fun facts? Share your thoughts with us!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.