Vintage Chicago

Summer is a great time to visit the Windy City and the only time some people even consider going. If you’ve been using your satelliteinternetbroadband.com connection to plan the trip of a lifetime take us up on these great tips for having a summer blast in Chicago…
Take a Boat Ride – If you’ve never done an architectural river tour of the Windy City you’ve got to do it now. You’ll learn all there is to know about the Continue Reading »

Posted by: Sara on August 7, 2011

Chicago has an interesting history and when you take a nostalgic look back at the Prohibition Period and Chicago’s architectural history, the combination is both colorful and fascinating. While the Prohibition Period gave rise to infamous characters such as Al Capone and John Dillinger, Art Deco yielded up an architectural style of simplicity and elegance. The Prohibition Period’s time frame was 1920 to 1933 and the Art Deco Period was 1925 to 1939. There was the wild Roaring 20′s Continue Reading »

The History of Chicago Mob Wars adds adventurous color to the city of Chicago. This vibrant city of the modern world reflects the best of so many cultures. Theses groups did not mesh without effort and compromise. With a strong history of organized crime, exceptionally active during prohibition, bootlegging and various other crimes of that era gangs were not limited to any one group but moved across the board; Jewish, Italian, Irish and others. Characters noted the infamous “Bugs” Moran, Big Jim O’Leary, Al Capone and the Chicago Outfit.

The history Continue Reading »

The gang wars of Chicago began with a simple, fair plan. In 1920, John Torrio had taken over the biggest organized crime outfit in Chicago by taking out their leader “Big Jim” Colosimo. Torrio saw the prohibition as a great moneymaking opportunity and began bootlegging. He and the other crime bosses of the time held a meeting, laying out a very lucrative deal. They agreed to split the city so that each gang had sole rights to sell beer and liquor in their territory.Torrio, with the help of Al Capone held the biggest piece, eventually expanding into the suburbs and Continue Reading »

If you want to tap into even more “all things Chicago” you may want to check oout a few of the following list of films that were filmed in the city and have fun with some “landmark spotting” that pops up along the way. You can check your local listings or add them to your Netflix queue; but either way, it might be a fun way to spend some lazy winter days this year.

About Last Night (1986)The Blues Brothers (1980)Continental Divide (1981)Cooley High (1975) Continue Reading »

The Art Institute of Chicago has always been a great resource to linger away the hours on a cold wintry day, but with the holiday season approaching it is even more of a respite. Now that the famous lions outside have been “wreathed” in celebration of the season they stand ready to greet you as you enter for any number of special holiday treats the museum has in store. Enjoy the giant ball of mistletoe that hangs above the Grand Staircase. Measuring four feet in diameter, it’s sure to evoke some romantic kisses (and can you imagine the marriage proposals it might even witness?). On Saturdays and Sundays there will be holiday sing-along and you can take part in building your own gingerbread house. The season also brings out some special holiday libations on Thursday and Friday evenings where visitors can warm their insides with cocktails and nibble on some sweet treats in the Garden Caf. If you’re interested in any of these activities, check with the institute for exact dates and times. And for those of you looking for that unique holiday gift to tuck into someone special’s Christmas stocking, you bet a gift membership will always be appreciated since the delights of the Institute can be appreciated all year long. How’s that for thoughtful planning?

The Chicago Theatre is not only an incredible performance hall, but an example of breathtaking architecture, too. Since 1921, the establishment has hosted a variety of extraordinary performances. Entertainers have ranged from Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin through to Kelly Clarkson and Alicia Keys.As for the architecture, the building has infamous French role models. In fact, the design is French Baroque and inspiration ranges from Versailles to the Paris Opera House. One of the most noticeable imitations can be found on the exterior. From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice the entrance is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. And once you’ve seen the murals and sculptured walls of the interior, you’re sure to feel as if you’ve entered a French palace. Continue Reading »

The Chicago Outfit is a gang localized in Chicago, Illinois. During the 20th century, one of the most infamous American criminals ran the organization: Al Capone. Originally from Brooklyn, Capone took over the gang in 1925. For years the mobster’s center of operation was the Lexington Hotel, and from here, the Chicago Outfit became a dominating force.The crime leader is particularly known for his work during the prohibition. With the ban of alcohol production and consumption, Capone and the Chicago Outfit were sneaking hootch into the city. Since a lack of supply often leads to a height in demand, the gang earned millions from selling the illegal substance. Continue Reading »