Windy City Wonders Trivia Quiz

Answer: Benito Mussolini

The Balbo Monument was erected in 1933 during the World Exposition: A Century of Progress (1933-1934). The monument is composed of a 2000-year-old Ostian column, mounted on a travertine base, with the following inscription (rendered in both English and Italian):

"This column
twenty centuries old
erected on the shores of Ostia
port of Imperial Rome
to safeguard the fortunes and victories
of the Roman triremes
Fascist Italy by command of Benito Mussolini
presents to Chicago
exaltation symbol memorial
of the Atlantic Squadron led by Balbo
that with Roman daring flew across the ocean
in the eleventh year
of the Fascist era"

The use of a Roman column and decorative fasces bracketing the inscription on the monument are evidence of one of Mussolini's greatest desires; that is, Mussolini sought to prove that his Fascist regime was the rightful descendant of ancient Roman civilization. Therefore, he often found ways to link them together in an effort to increase the belief in the greatness of his Fascist regime.

Location:

Balbo Monument
Burnam Park
1550 S. Lakeshore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605

Reference:
Website- Ostia: Harbor City in Rome

Answer: Nuclear reactor

The first nuclear reactor (Chicago Pile-1) was developed in Enrico Fermi's lab, which was located on a squash court beneath the west grandstand at Stagg Field. This nuclear reactor was used to generate the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear reaction, even though the scientists weren't sure that the reaction could be stopped once initiated. The original Stagg Field is a mere memory, but Henry Moore's enigmatic sculpture serves as a poignant reminder of the Manhattan Project and the world-changing events ignited on December 02, 1942.

Location:

Nuclear Energy Statue
5651 S. Ellis Street
Chicago, IL. 60637

Reference:
Website- Wikipedia

Answer: Reebie Storage & Moving Company

In 1923, the Reebie Storage & Moving Company building was built by John and William Reebie. The Egyptian Revival design was inspired by the then-recent (1922) discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamen by Howard Carter. The theme is also evidenced within, as the lobby is decorated with Egyptian columns, art glass windows, metalwork, and plaster castings. Most entertaining, though, are the entrance hieroglyphics, which when translated state, "I give protection to your furniture" and "Forever I work for all your regions in daylight and darkness".

Location:

Reebie Storage & Moving Company
2325-2333 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614

Answer: Wayne's World

Artist Dustin Shuler's sculpture, "The Spindle", was surrounded by twenty other sculptures that also incorporate cars in their design. These works of art were originally commissioned by the shopping center for the purpose of beautification. However, out of all Chicagoans, it may be that the local police department enjoyed "The Spindle" the most. Specifically, police rookies were often sent to the site to investigate an "eight car pileup".

Location:

The Spindle
Cermak Plaza
7043 Cermak Road
Berwyn, IL 60402

UPDATE:

Once standing in Cermak Plaza "The Spindle" was dismantled when the shopping center was redeveloped. However, the top two cars of the artwork were retained for the construction of a new "Spindle".

Answer: Crosses

Mitch Szewczyk, a devout Catholic, first hung one cross on his house to ward off local criminals. Perceiving cross power to be effective against crime, he later expanded his decorative activities to include the commemoration of those public individuals he found cross-worthy.

Location:

House of Crosses
1544 W. Chestnut Street
Chicago, IL 60622

Answer: Essanay Studios

Prior to Hollywood, CA becoming the film capital of the United States, a burgeoning film industry was established in Chicago, IL. Among the many studios was Essanay Studios, which produced such classics as "The Tramp" and "The Perils of Pauline" cliffhangers. This landmark has a distinctive pedimented entryway, graced on each side with paintings of war-bonneted Indian chiefs and carriage lanterns.

Location:

Essanay Studios
1345 W. Argyle Street
Chicago, IL 60640

Answer: Great Chicago Fire

The Great Chicago Fire is no longer believed to have been started when Mrs. Catherine O'Leary's cow kicked over a lantern while being milked. In fact, the O'Leary's home was still standing after the fire was over. Therefore, the source of the fire remains unknown. What is known is that the fire began on October 8, 1871 and raged for 27 hours, resulting in the devastation of 3.5 square city miles. This disaster destroyed over 17,000 buildings, left one third of the population homeless, and killed 250 people. The haunting "Pillar of Fire" monument erected outside the fire department's training center stands in tribute to those 250 lives that the Great Chicago Fire claimed.

Location:

Pillar of Fire Monument
558 W. DeKoven Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Answer: Cyrus McCormack

Developing harvesters was a McCormack family endeavor, as Cyrus' father tried for 28 years to make a horse-drawn harvester before finally shelving the project. Cyrus Hall McCormack (February 15, 1809 - May 13, 1884) was more successful than his father and invented the Harvesting Machine, which lead to the formation of the McCormack National Harvesting Machine Company. Although hailing from Rockbridge County, VA, in midlife Cyrus and his brothers relocated to Chicago, IL. It was in Chicago that the McCormack family settled and built large factory works that manufactured a diverse range of agricultural tools including, their world-famous Harvesting Machine.

Location:

Graceland Cemetery
4001 N. Clark
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 525-1105


Reference:
Website- Wikipedia

Answer: Every choice is correct

The Music Box Theatre was cited by movie critic Gene Siskel as harboring his favorite movie-viewing seat in Chicago. On Friday and Saturday nights before showtime, there are even sing-a-longs with organ accompaniment for the patrons. If you're ever in the neighborhood, make sure you get to the theater early, so that you can get one of the best seats and take in the exceptional decor.

Location:

The Music Box Theatre
3733 N. Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 871-6604

Reference:
Website- musicboxtheatre.com

Answer: Wood Library - Museum of Anesthesiology

In the late 1930s, Dr. Paul M. Wood used his private collection of anesthesiology paraphernalia to found the Wood Library - Museum of Anesthesiology. Ironically, for a museum dedicated to the study of establishing insensibility to pain, it has experienced growing pains by relocating quite a few times during the course of its history. Housed at the American Society of Anesthesiologists Headquarter Building, who could resist getting a gander at a "Hedley Inhaler"? Also, I ask you, what other museum store in the United States offers such tantalizing DVD titles as Rafael Ortega's "The Ether Monument: A Story of Beauty and Controversy"?

Location:

Wood Library - Museum of Anesthesiology
520 N. Northwest Highway
Parkridge, IL 60068
(847) 825-5586

Reference:
Website- woodlibrarymuseum.org