Linking the Lakes

At the beginning of the year this important work had advanced far enough to assure its completion for the proposed Civic Celebration. It was, however, evident that every day would have to be taken ad vantage of, and the work on the four bridges was therefore pushed as fast as weather and other controlling conditions … Read more

The Great Northern Passenger Station

The larger part of the passenger traffic of the city is handled at the Great Northern Passenger station, at the foot of Hennepin and Nicollet Avs. This completely modern station was begun in 1912 and opened for traffic early in 1914 taking the place of the old “union station” built in 1884. The exterior of … Read more

Roller Derby Days

In 1935 ,the father of Roller Derby, Leo Saltzer held his first race in Chicago at the Coliseum.  Saltzer’s roller skating marathons spread quickly from Chicago. Road crews were hired to dismantle and move tracks. Roller Derbies set shop in auditoriums and traveled like circuses. The marathons evolved into a race between two teams with … Read more

America’s Most Exciting Body

  “Bubbles Darlene” was an exotic dancer and strip tease artist back in the 1950′s. Her real name was Virginia Lachimia. She was originally from Minneapolis where she studied toe, tap and ballet dancing. Virginia said she had no notion that when she was hired to dance at the Rialto in Chicago she would be … Read more