 |
Catastrophic CalamitiesTelling the stories of famous and forgotten tragedies of the 19th and 20th centuries. What could go wrong? Everything! Dedicated to the memory of Founding Producer Susan Ferman. Author: Pulpular Media
Telling the stories of famous and forgotten tragedies of the 19th and 20th centuries.What could go wrong? Everything!Dedicated to the memory of Founding Producer Susan Ferman. Language: en Genres: Documentary, History, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
The 1871 Chicago FIre
Episode 9
Thursday, 4 December, 2025
Ashes and AmbitionIn October 1871, Chicago was America's fastest-growing city—and a tinderbox waiting to ignite. When flames erupted in a small barn on DeKoven Street, a perfect storm of drought, wind, and wooden infrastructure transformed a neighborhood fire into an urban apocalypse. Through the eyes of eyewitness Frank Loesch, we follow 100,000 refugees fleeing through darkness as their city burns, watch limestone melt like paste, and hear a courthouse bell scream its death song. But this isn't just a story of destruction—it's the birth of the modern American city. From the ashes rose steel skyscrapers, professional fire codes, and a new vision of urban life. The mystery of how it started remains unsolved. How it changed everything is undeniable.Catastrophic Calamities is a creation of Richard O Jones and Pulpular Media. We invite you to tune in to our flagship podcast TRUE CRIME HISTORIAN with tales of the scandals, scoundrels, and scourges of the past told through vintage newspaper accounts from the golden age of yellow journalism.If disaster is more your jam, check out CATASTROPHIC CALAMITIES, telling the stories of famous and forgotten tragedies of the 19th and 20th centuries. What could go wrong? Everything!For brand-new tales in the old clothes from the golden era of popular literature, give your ears a treat with PULP MAGAZINES with two new stories every week.This episode includes AI-generated content.
