Today in Chicago History: Arlington Park put up for sale
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Feb. 23, according to the Tribune's archives.
Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.
Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
1882: The era of Chicago cable cars began on State Street.
1905: Rotary Club of Chicago was founded by attorney Paul Harris so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form friendships. Rotary — now based in Evanston — provides humanitarian services around the world.
1930: Highway crossing disaster. An automobile sped around another car stopped for crossing signals on Wisconsin Highway 14 near Kenosha and into the path of a Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad electric passenger train heading south for Chicago at 70 mph. The impact, which threw the auto 200 feet, caused the rail cars to sway and hit a northbound freight train. Twelve were killed — 11 on the passenger train and the car's driver.
The accident renewed the debate over crossing safety and led to some experimentation in placing impassible barriers at crossings instead of gates.
1950: An aardvark brought to the Brookfield Zoo from South Africa became only the second creature of its kind held in captivity in the United States.
Zoo officials told the Tribune the 'earth pig' eats only 'minced liver and eggs, mashed bananas, green bone paste, mashed sweet potatoes and pablum.'
1983: U.S. Rep. Harold Washington won the Democratic primary race for mayor, defeating Jane Byrne and Richard M. Daley.
2021: Churchill Downs Inc., owners of the Arlington Park, announced plans to sell the 326-acre Arlington Heights horse racetrack for redevelopment.
Arlington closed its gates Sept. 25, 2021. The Bears finalized a deal to buy the site in February 2023.
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