History blog from Pat Camalliere Books- For Halloween: The Ghosts of the Quarries! October 26, 2023Halloween is almost here! A good time to rell you about the Ghosts of the Quarries! Ghost hunters sometimes describe a phenomenon called the “stone tape theory.” The theory proposes that certain rocks have the ability to imprint—or “record” —energy … Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- Submarines on the Chicago Sanitary Canal – No kidding! September 18, 2023My last post revealed some amazing information about the building of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. If you missed that post, you can read it here: The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal | Pat Camalliere – The Cora Tozzi … Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal August 6, 2023In last month’s blog, I spoke about the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and its tremendous importance to not only the Chicago area and Illinois, but to the opening to settlement of the entire United States west of … Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- Illinois and Michigan Canal Celebrates 175th Anniversary. July 6, 2023In April of 1848, the I & M Canal officially opened. From April of 2023 through March of 2024, the I & M Canal Corridor Association is having a year-long celebration of this event. Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- The Des Plaines River June 6, 2023I get excited when I talk about Lemont’s waterways, because they are so important not only to the growth of Chicago, but to westward expansion across the entire continent. The only place all these important waterways come together is Lemont. … Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- Train Wreck in Lemont, July 1905 May 9, 2023Last month’s post was about a train wreck in Lemont on the Alton-Chicago Railroad in 1873. Today we continue the subject of train wrecks with the Santa Fe derailment that also occurred in Lemont in 1905. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa … Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- Lemont Train Wreck: August 16, 1873 April 17, 2023Is history repeating itself? Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- Admiral Dewey and the Battle of the Sanitary Canal March 1, 2023The I & M Canal had been a tremendous success in opening up shipping and transportation between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. However, during dry periods the level wasn’t sufficient to float the barges and boats, and during heavy … Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- Lemont Streetcars – The Joliet and Chicago Electric Line February 19, 2023NewsOn Sunday, February 26, at 2 p.m. I will be speaking at the Lemont Historical Society about the “Lost Town of Sag Bridge.” If you have not already attended this talk, I hope you will come. If you have attended … Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- The Ghosts of Sag Bridge January 29, 2023Recently I’ve been speaking at libraries and other local organizations about the history of Sag Bridge, a town that once existed near Archer Avenue, where Route 83 makes a turn from a north-south road to an east-west road. Although it … Continue reading →Pat Camalliere
- For Halloween: The Ghosts of the Quarries! October 26, 2023
Author Archives: Pat Camalliere
CHIEF SHABBONA – Peacemaker in a Turbulent Chicago
One translation of Shabbona’s name is “Built like a Bear,” and from all reports the name fits. As the picture above shows, he was a tall man, with broad shoulders—a large, muscular man of commanding appearance. He was an important … Continue reading
Chief Alexander Robinson – Early Chicago Leader – Guest Blog Dan Melone
Today’s guest blogger is Dan Melone, a Chicagoland Archaeologist and Robinson Family Historian. Dan received a M.A. in Archaeology and Heritage from the University of Leicester, in England. For over 20 years, Dan has documented numerous sites within many county … Continue reading
Posted in Illinois History
Tagged Alexander Robinson, Chief Alexander Robinson, Dan Melone, Early Chicago, Native Americans, Northern Illinois, Northern Illinois History
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BILLY CALDWELL (SAUGANASH, THE ENGLISHMAN) – EARLY CHICAGO LEADER
Although Billy Caldwell was an educated man, written records of his life, obtained mostly from interviews, contain contradictions, and are subject to debate. He is represented as both a hero and an opportunist. We do know he had significant effect … Continue reading
BLACK PARTRIDGE: HERO OF THE BATTLE OF FORT DEARBORN
During the two years I conducted research for The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods, I encountered a number of little-known but remarkable Native American persons. I thought my readers would be interested in knowing more about their lives. Today’s post … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged American Indians, Black Partridge, Black Partridge Woods, Fort Dearborn, History, Illinois history, Native Americans, Northern Illinois
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY ILLINOIS! 200 YEARS YOUNG TODAY!
On December 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the Union. Last month’s blog was part one of an excerpt from my mystery novel, The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods. Today’s post is the conclusion, and depicts what … Continue reading
Posted in Illinois History, Lemont History
Tagged 1818, American Indians, Chicago, Chicago history, early Illinois, Fur trade, Happy Birthday, History, Illinois, Illinois Bicentennial, Illinois frontier, Lemont, local history, Northern Illinois, Potawatomi
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Illinois Bicentennial: Life in Northern Illinois Two Hundred Years Ago
ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL LIFE IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO PART ONE After the Revolutionary War, the Northwest Territories were set aside as lands belonging to the newly-formed United States. The territories were Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. … Continue reading
Posted in Illinois History, Lemont History
Tagged 1817, American Indians, Chicago, Chicago history, Des Plaines River, Fur trade, History, Illinois, Illinois Bicentennial, Lemont, local history, Northern Illinois, Northwest Territories, Potawatomi
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FOREST FIRES VS CHICAGO AREA’S SIZZLING SUMMERS
Forest Fires: Why the Chicago Area Doesn’t Have Them “Stop the car! Just stop, now! Look!” Despite that he was driving in bumper to bumper traffic, I insisted that my husband, Chris, see what I was seeing – the most … Continue reading
Posted in General History, Illinois History, Lemont History, Uncategorized
Tagged Chicago area, Chicago area forest preserves, Controlled burn, Cook County, ecological benefit of fire, firefighting, Forest Fire, forest firefighting, Forest Preserves, Forest Preserves of Cook County, forestry management, Intentional fire, Northern Illinois, Prescribed burn, Resource Management, volunteer opportunities, Wildfire
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Head & Neck Cancer – A Personal Journey #14 – Remission
REMISSION “Kyrie eleison, eleison.” Whereas most major classical works begin with orchestral instruments, the opening notes of Haydn’s Missa Cellensis in C, the Mariazeller Mass, are sung by the chorus. This is a challenge for singers, who get no … Continue reading