The Rookery, an iconic building in Chicago's financial district, was completed in 1888 and designed by the architectural firm of Burnham and Root. Notable for its combination of Moorish, Romanesque, and Venetian architectural styles, the building's most famous feature is its lightfilled central atrium, redesigned in 1905 by Frank Lloyd Wright. Beneath this historic landmark lies a littleknown underground vault, a remnant from Chicago's early days. Originally intended for utilities and as a foundation to support the structure above, this vault adds a layer of mystery and historical intrigue to the Rookery, symbolizing the city's innovative spirit and complex architectural legacy.

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IT’S HISTORY Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

Video Chapters:
0:00 History of The Famous Chicago Rookery
0:36 Chicago's Disastrous Fire
2:01 Constructing the Rookery
4:34 Numerous Transformations of the Rookery
6:50 Mysterious Vaults Underneath
9:54 Cultural Impact
11:11 The Rookery Today

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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter Sebastian Ripoll
Editor Karolina Szwata,
Host Ryan Socash
Music/Sound Design: Dave Daddario

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Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes retractions will be published in this section.