Description

Join Tribune reporter Rick Kogan in Old Town and discover its Great Good Places and the rebellious artists who thrived there.

Starting Location

1711 N Cleveland Ave

Duration

1 hour, 5 minutes

Map Image

Description

Carouse your way through 1960s Old Town and learn how artists, folkies, comedians, writers, and hippies turned convention on its head by creating and inhabiting some of the country's most revered and forgotten "Great Good Places."

A "Great Good Place" isn't the place people live, or work, it's a third place where they can be themselves, blow off steam, and have the freedom to experiment and create. German immigrants fleeing the political crackdowns of the 1840s, artists of the 1920s expressing their vision for a new way of life, and the full-on countercultural explosion of the beatniks, performers, and radicals who would have a lasting impact on the world, Old Town has been home to them all and provided the spaces they needed to thrive.

Join Chicago Tribune reporter, and Old Town native, Rick Kogan on a trip through this neighborhood that called to anyone yearning to color outside the lines. Along the way, you'll discover a magnificent church that welcomes everyone, the homes, bars, and stages where artists created magical things, and even get a taste of what it's like to be a member of the world-famous improv comedy troupe The Second City.

And as you do, you'll come to understand why this whole neighborhood was one of Chicago's Great Good Places, what's been lost as some of it's most iconic sites have vanished, and why it's worth fighting to hold onto what's left.

Tips & Hours

• This Detour can be taken anytime, but is best taken Friday through Sunday between 11am - 6pm when tour locations are open the longest.
• Monday through Thursday we recommend taking this tour between 2pm - 5pm to ensure all businesses and St. Michael’s are open.
• All of the stops, with the exception of St. Michaels, are open until at least 9pm. If you want to grab a drink at The Old Town Ale House at the end, it’s best to start the walk after 2pm Monday - Friday and after 11:30am on Sundays.
• St. Michael’s is an active church, so if you’re taking this tour on a weekend be aware it may be in use for a wedding or other church service when you stop by.
• Be prepared to eat and drink on this tour! This walk stops at three different taverns, two of which have fantastic food you can order.
• Bring some cash for drinks and food along the way.

Credits

Narrator:Rick Kogan

Head of Content:Heather Schuster

Executive Producer:Stephanie Jenz

Producer:Kayla McCormick

Advising Producer:Avi Glijansky

Associate Producer:Maya Dukmasova, Rachel Dickson

Production Assistant:Casey Hudetz

Sound Design:Noise Floor, Devin Delaney, Stosh Tuszynski

Music Direction:Devin Delaney, Stosh Tuszynski 

Featured Voices:Rich Taura, Lisa Vakulin-Rose, Shirley Baugher, Bonnie Koloc, Will Aldis, Marc DeCarlo, Bruce Elliott

Image Credits

Navigation photos: Kayla McCormick 

Additional photos courtesy of: The Library of Congress Old Town Triangle Association Saint Michael’s Church

Special Thanks: Ray Oldenburg, Author of "The Great Good Place " Bonnie Koloc Jana Liles, Second City Mark DeCarlo Shirley Baugher Abe Peck Mimi Harris

Locations of All Detours

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