🏘️🔥 Fire Survivors, Funny Stories & Hidden Gems — Old Town Uncovered! 🎭

🏘️🔥 Fire Survivors, Funny Stories & Hidden Gems — Old Town Uncovered! 🎭

Back by popular demand — now with additional stops and stories added!

Step into Old Town’s Historic District on a Sunday morning stroll through one of Chicago’s most charming, fascinating, and architecturally distinctive neighborhoods.

Explore Victorian homes, historic churches, immigrant history, legendary comedy clubs, artists’ studios, historic taverns, and hidden architectural gems while hearing the stories of the people and places that helped shape this unique Chicago community.

Discover winding streets that predate Chicago’s street grid, buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire, and artistic enclaves connected to some of Chicago’s most creative residents.

🎤 Led by your passionate, ever-curious guide (that’s me!) — perfect for architecture lovers, history buffs, comedy fans, photographers, and anyone who enjoys being a tourist in their own city! 😊

👥 Multi-group event — expect a great crowd!

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📍 QUICK DETAILS
🗓️ Sunday, August 16, 2026
⏰ 10:45 AM–1:00 PM (~2.2 miles)
📍 Start: Sedgwick Brown Line Station
1536 N. Sedgwick St.
🏁 End: Carl Street Studios
155 W. Burton Pl.
💰 $20 per person
Due at start. Cash preferred/exact change appreciated; Zelle, Venmo & PayPal accepted.
🌦️ Outdoors | Casual pace | Rain or shine

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🏘️ WHAT WE’LL SEE
🔥 Great Chicago Fire History
Discover the buildings and stories connected to the devastating 1871 fire — including one of the city’s most famous survivors.
🏛️ Victorian Architecture
Explore beautiful row houses, cottages, historic churches, and charming residential streets.
🎭 Comedy & Entertainment
Hear stories connected to The Second City, Piper’s Alley, and Old Town’s long history as an entertainment destination.
🎨 Artists & Creative Enclaves
Discover the remarkable studios and artistic communities associated with Edgar Miller, Sol Kogen, and other Chicago artists.
⛪ Churches & Immigrant History
Learn how German immigrants and later generations helped shape the neighborhood.
🌳 Old Town’s Historic Streets
Walk tree-lined streets and winding paths that existed before Chicago’s modern street grid.
🍺 Taverns & Neighborhood Landmarks
See some of the longtime gathering places that helped give Old Town its distinctive personality.

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🗺️ ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS
(Stops subject to change.)
🍴 Twin Anchors Restaurant
⛪ St. Michael’s Catholic Church — Great Chicago Fire survivor
🏯 Midwest Buddhist Temple
🍸 Margie’s Still
🎨 Kogen-Miller & Glasner Studios
🏘️ Crilly Court Historic District
🏳️ Henry Gerber House
🏡 Olsen-Hansen Row Houses
🌳 Eugenie Triangle Park & Chicago Fire “Blob”
⛪ Moody Church
🏛️ Chicago History Museum
🏰 Former Germania Club
🎭 The Second City
🎬 Piper’s Alley
🎨 Theophil Studios
🏛️ Sol Kogen & Edgar Miller Studios
🎨 Carl Street Studios

📍 Route Map:
https://tinyurl.com/5mwcxrc5

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🌟 WHY OLD TOWN?
Old Town is one of Chicago’s most distinctive historic neighborhoods, known for its Victorian architecture, winding streets, arts scene, and immigrant history. Originally settled by German immigrants in the 1850s, much of the neighborhood survived the Great Chicago Fire, leaving behind some of Chicago’s oldest streets and buildings.

Today, Old Town combines historic homes and churches with legendary comedy, artists’ colonies, restaurants, and neighborhood gathering places. From St. Michael’s Church and the Old Town Triangle to The Second City and Carl Street Studios, there’s a fascinating story around nearly every corner.

📸 Not a dedicated photo walk, but you’ll definitely want your camera!

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🎒 GOOD TO KNOW
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
💧 Water bottle
🌤️ Weather-appropriate clothing
📸 Camera or phone encouraged

⚠️ Parking: The walk ends about 4 blocks from where we start, so plan accordingly!

🚗 Street parking is available, but weekend parking can be challenging. Check posted signs or consider SpotHero/ParkWhiz.
🚇 CTA: Brown Line — Sedgwick Station

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🍽️ OPTIONAL LUNCH AFTER
Want to keep the fun going? Join us for lunch afterward at one of these Old Town favorites:
🍻 Woodie’s Flat
🍝 Topo Gigio Ristorante
🌮 Adobo Grill
🍺 Corcoran’s Grill & Pub
💵 Bring cash if possible — some restaurants don’t offer separate checks.

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📱 LOST OR RUNNING LATE?
Call or text Giovina at 312-835-4259
👋 Please check in with Giovina when you arrive!

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⚠️ RSVP REMINDER
✔️ Update your RSVP if your plans change.
✔️ RSVP changes should be made before the event begins.
❌ Three no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month event restriction.

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🏘️🎭 Come discover Old Town beyond the bars and restaurants — where Chicago’s oldest streets, Great Fire survivors, legendary laughter, remarkable architecture, and artistic history come together! 🌿🏛️