IT'S HISTORY Courses

Chicago's Forgotten Helicopter Airways - The Rise and Fall of Urban Air Transport in the 1940s-1960s

Discover Chicago's ambitious 1940s-50s helicopter transport system that aimed to revolutionize urban air travel, connecting downtown with airports before economic challenges led to its demise.

• YouTube
• 12 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Dangerous Situation in Cairo, Illinois

Explores Cairo, Illinois' decline from a promising river port to a symbol of urban decay, examining its historical significance and the factors behind its downfall.

• YouTube
• 20 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Why The USS Monitor was Lost Forever

Explore the revolutionary USS Monitor's impact on naval warfare, its historic battle against CSS Virginia, and the circumstances leading to its ultimate fate.

• YouTube
• 23 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Why Pollepel Island is Totally Forbidden

Uncover the dark history of Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island: from arms storage to decay and tragedy. Explore the mysteries of this forbidden Hudson River fortress.

• YouTube
• 21 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Malbork Castle's Medieval Heating System - Exploring the World's Largest Castle

Explore Malbork Castle's innovative medieval heating system, its history as the world's largest castle, and the daily life of Teutonic Knights in this fascinating journey through time and engineering.

• YouTube
• 14 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Chrysler Building's Secret Cloud Club Explained

Explore the exclusive Cloud Club atop NYC's iconic Chrysler Building, a symbol of Art Deco elegance and 1930s high society, now lost to time.

• YouTube
• 13 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Why Nichols Hall Was Torched - The Rise and Fall of a Kansas State University Icon

Explores the 1968 fire at Kansas State University's Nichols Hall, its aftermath, and the building's revival as a center of academic excellence, including the creation of the "Wabash Cannonball" melody.

• YouTube
• 10 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Downfall of the Carbide & Carbon Building - Chicago's Forgotten Art Deco Gem

Uncover the secrets of Chicago's Carbide & Carbon Building, from its Art Deco origins to its transformation into a luxury hotel. Explore its impact on popular culture and hidden stories behind its golden walls.

• YouTube
• 14 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Rise and Fall of Saint Elmo, Colorado - Abandoned Mining Town

Explore the boom and bust of Saint Elmo, a Colorado mining town that flourished in the 1880s before becoming a haunting ghost town, preserved as a testament to frontier life.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

California's Most Controversial Beach - The Children's Pool

Explore the fascinating history and ongoing controversy of La Jolla's Children's Pool, a unique beach where human recreation and wildlife conservation collide.

• YouTube
• 10 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The History of Chicago's LaSalle Street Tunnel - From Construction to Closure

Explore Chicago's pioneering LaSalle Street Tunnel, its construction challenges, impact on urban development, and eventual obsolescence due to changing transportation needs and technological advancements.

• YouTube
• 14 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Rise and Fall of Las Vegas' Riviera Casino

Explore the rise and fall of the iconic Riviera Casino, from its glamorous beginnings in 1955 to its demolition in 2016, reflecting Las Vegas's evolution from mid-century sophistication to modern mega-resorts.

• YouTube
• 14 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Rise and Fall of Rhyolite, Nevada - A Ghost Town's Story

Explore the rapid rise and dramatic fall of Rhyolite, a Nevada gold rush boomtown that flourished briefly before becoming a ghost town, illustrating the volatile nature of mining settlements.

• YouTube
• 13 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

What's Inside the White House - Exploring America's Most Iconic Presidential Residence

Explore the fascinating interior of America's most iconic residence, from the grand East Room to secret spaces like the Chocolate Shop, uncovering historical tales and architectural marvels.

• YouTube
• 14 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Rise and Fall of Wabash Railroad - A Story of American Railway Innovation

Explore the compelling journey of Wabash Railroad's rise as a vital Midwest transportation link, its innovative contributions to American railways, and the factors that ultimately led to its decline.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video