The Iroquois Theatre, on Randolph just a few blocks from the river, was only a month old in December 1903 and had booked a holiday matinee called "Mr. Bluebeard". Packed full of mostly women and children off of school on December 30th, it caught fire and became a furnace, or better described as a crematorium. Horrible panic erupted inside and people were crushed, burned, and many piled high at the doors which opened the wrong way inwards, and some were locked. Many tried to escape out the back fire escape, but it was unfinished and only led into a very far drop into the alley. In total 602 people died and over 100 people fell to their deaths into that alley, now called "Death Alley" and it remains there today, although the theatre is completely different called "The Ford Center for Performing Arts". That alley is considered haunted today and always a stop on any Chicago ghost tour. I have visited it many times and used footage for this video and original song tribute called "Ghosts in the Alley". I had a good friend - Rick Andrews - sing the melody.
Monday, November 7, 2016
The Clock on the River
The Reid-Murdoch Building between Clark and LaSalle Streets Chicago along the river, was built in 1913, and today is an historic landmark. It was directly in front of it on July 24th 1915 that The Eastland Disaster occurred. The clock at the top has always been there and, along with this disaster, has seen a vast amount of history and changes along the river! I believe I may be the first one to ever put this building into a song, called "The Clock on the River"
Parade of Souls - Eastland Memorial 2015
I recorded this at the huge 2015 memorial for the Eastland Disaster on location between Clark and LaSalle Streets along the Chicago River. It was the 100th anniversary of Chicago's worst disaster, and my grandmother was one of the fortunate survivors, but 844 others were not so lucky.
Many people link this event to the dozens of Chicago haunt stories, especially where the bodies were laid for identification (later becoming Harpo Studios) but also this actual spot on the Chicago River.
I MAY have recorded the actual sound of one of these ghosts! Listen towards the beginning when right after she sings "Today I die alone, die alone" there is an awful scream. No one heard this while we were there! It only emerged later after I cleaned up the audio to make this video. There were no edits done either. I have no idea what the scream is (actually twice in the video) and can only guess it may be one of the poor souls crying out at that moment hearing about dying alone.
Saturday, October 29, 2016
The Great Chicago Fire (New Book 2017)
If you want a signed new copy (by both of us) I have many available at my web site: www.johnboda.com
Chicago Water Crib and Scope of the Great Fire 1871
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was so huge, hot, and incredible, that it seemed to spread by the air itself. To understand the scope of this fire storm, consider this: John Tolland was stationed at the water crib, and lived there with his family in 1871. That was (and still is) TWO MILES out in Lake Michigan to bring fresh water into Water Works by way of a large pipe on the bottom. After the fire, he testified that he spent many hours struggling to save the crib from the fire brands and embers landing on the roof! Here is today's crib (different but in the same spot) from the lake taken from a sailboat, and the others from Chicago Avenue at the shore. On the panoramic one, look hard. It is near the center!
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