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History

Chicago once tried to get healthy: Enter the Chicago Athletic Association building at 12 S. Michigan Ave. Founded 1890 by elites (Marshall Field, A.G. Spalding, William Wrigley Jr.—who snagged the club’s red C logo for the Cubs), designed by Henry Ives Cobb in Venetian Gothic style. Luxe perks: “The Tank” pool, gyms, boxing, billiards; members included Tarzan himself (Johnny Weissmuller) and football pioneer Pudge Heffelfinger.

After years vacant, restored and reopened 2015 as the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel—now open to all with rooftop views, restaurants, and nods to its athletic past.
From pumping iron for the elite to fueling tourists between heavy meals—classic Chicago twist.

Trivia

Shrog and Bob stand in front of Mather Tower on Wacker Drive and uncover the quirky story behind this 1928 skyscraper. Built by Chicago entrepreneur Alonzo C. Mather, the tower is named after the man who invented special “humane” train cars for the Union Stockyards. These cars included feeding bins and water troughs so the animals would not die of dehydration or starvation during transport. Was it genuine kindness or simply a smart business decision to protect profits? This funny animated episode takes a lighthearted look at one of Chicago’s most overlooked architectural gems and the surprising history behind its name.

Hilarity

In this hilarious retro parody, Chicago Bob brings back the gritty 1959 black-and-white style of the classic TV series The Untouchables with a fully Chicago-fied twist. Reimagined as “The Un-Chicago Bobables,” the video features dramatic narration, shadowy Windy City streets, and a fictional episode titled “The Mayor’s Hot Mess,” starring Chicago Bob as the incorruptible hero and Mayor Brandon Johnson in a chaotic special guest cameo. 

A loving, over-the-top spoof packed with political satire and absurd local humor — perfect for fans of retro TV and Chicago comedy.