Coffee Talk
Thursday, June 12 • 1:30p

Die Geschichte des deutschen Chicago
(The History of German Chicago)
— with Mike Haas —

Location: Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson Street

Discover how German immigrants helped shape the city’s identity through major events like the 1854 Lager Beer Riot, the Civil War, and the infamous 1886 Haymarket Labor Riot. Learn about their lasting influence on Chicago’s music scene, including the founding of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and explore the German influence on Chicago’s architecture—from ornate churches and bustling schools to bridges, hospitals, parks, and even skyscrapers.

Meet some of the entrepreneurial legends of German Chicago, including Ignaz Schwinn (bicycles), Oscar Mayer (sausages), and Emil Brach (candy), and stroll through the historic "Nord Seit" neighborhoods, where most German immigrants settled along Lincoln Avenue aka “Sauerkraut Boulevard” from Old Town to Lincoln Square.

This insightful, fact-filled, and fun presentation is an excellent opportunity to gain an essential understanding of German Chicago from its very origins to the present.

This program is open to the public, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED as space is limited and these talks quickly reach capacity.
To reserve your spot, call 847-391-5399 or email us at contact@desplaineshistory.org.

Our monthly Coffee Talk series is supported by sponsorships from Village Bank & Trust and the Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines.
Coffee Talks are free to attend. Please consider a donation of any amount to help us sustain future programming.