History Cop - Home of Johnson Research Services

09/25/2026

If you all are looking for a cool historic haunted walking tour led by yours truly where every penny benefits our DuPage Veteran Mentor Program than look no further. It is one night only and limited to 50 participants so don't wait till the last minute to purchase tickets which are only $25.00 per person! The tour is a walking tour and starts at 7pm on Saturday October 24th at the Glos Mansion historic Elmhurst. It will take about 2 hours for the whole tour and you can buy tickets by scanning the QR code on the flyer or going directly to the Event website at https://dupagevetmentors.com/events If you can't make it please make sure to share the information. Thanks!

07/04/2026

Last chance to buy virtual ducks for the virtual duck race in Warrenville. It benefits our vets and also Warrenville Friends of the 4th! I will be there at Cerny Park in Warrenville selling tickets in person! Come out and see me and have a great 4th!

Also share will all your friends since you don't have to be present to win!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/friends-of-the-4th-and-foundation-for-change-quack-pot-duck-race

07/03/2026

As you all know I am a veteran and big supporter of Veterans. This July 24th is our 2nd Annual Veteran Mentor Program fundraising picnic at Hawthorne's Backyard in West Chicago! Last year was a great time! Great Food, Great Drink, Great Prizes and all for a great cause. Whether you can or can't make it, could you please share with your family and friends! It is open to the public but tickets are limited. Thanks so much!

10/18/2025

If your looking for a spooky good time around Halloween and want to help a great cause then please join us for a great time next Saturday 10/25/25 at 6:30pm for a walking historic tour of Elmhurst. The tickets are only $25.00 each and I will be conducting the tour personally. It is for one night only and limited to the first 50 people. All the monies will go to benefit the DuPage County DuPage Veteran Mentor Program. Hope to see you there if you dare!

https://dupagevetmentors.com/events/

08/18/2024

Voting is open! This is our Australian Labradoodle Teddy (Ted E.) We entered him in a contest to be a spokesdog for Ales for Tales. One vote costs $1, 5 votes is $5 and so on and so on. It is a fundraiser for Spay Illinois Pet Well Clinics out of Lisle, a great organization we have used with our previous pups. If Teddy gets the most votes he will get his cute little mug on a draft b**r by Miskatonic Brewing! How could you not vote for this little guy? Of course I am a bit biased. Voting is going on right now and ends on Sep 20th. Thanks all!

Show your support for Spay Illinois Pet Well Clinics by voting for Ted E. Doodle in 2024 Ales for Tails Spokesdog & Spokescat Contest

06/26/2023

Hey Everyone! I just created a fun, scavenger hunt for eAtlas that you can do in the Chicago Loop that takes you to 9 different locations where Dr. H. H. Holmes operated shortly before the 1893 World's Fair. You can do it at your leisure or create teams and compete against each other. The great news is that eAtlas has made it free until July 31st if you use the promo code: WhiteDevil at checkout. If you click on the link below from your computer it will take you to the hunt main page, if you click on it from your phone it will guide you through the app download and then to the hunt. Enjoy!

03/08/2023

The head and tail from the replica Viking ship from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition are restored and available for public view again! So exciting!

Geneva History Museum is holding a contest to name the dragon head and tail of the replica Viking ship showcased in "Viking's Voyage: A 19th Century Ship's Journey from Norway to Illinois," an exhibit on display from Feb. 4 to Dec. 23 at the museum, 113 Third St.

12/17/2022

https://historycop.com/the-lore-of-chicagos-christmas-tree-ship/
My latest article on the lore of Chicago's Christmas Tree Ship

The legends and superstitions surrounding ships and the sailors who manned them are centuries old and worldwide, but it is not necessary for you to live on an ocean shore to share or appreciate those stories. Chicago is on the southwest shore of Lake Michigan, one of the “Great Lakes” of North A...

11/23/2022

The grave marker of August Boness and the mystery in Justice, IL surrounding it.

I originally published this story as a three-part blog on Chicago Now which no longer exists. It has given me the opportunity to combine them into one cohesive story with additions and corrections from the original. For decades the residents of Justice, Illinois, and curiosity seekers from elsewhere...

11/17/2022

It is funny how a twist of fate can affect everything. Nathan Leopold Jr.'s birthdate is coming up on November 19th (2 days) and most in this group are aware that he was arrested and charged along with his partner in crime Richard Loeb with the murder of Loeb's cousin, Bobby Franks which was committed on May 21, 1924. If not for the quick work of the police investigators, Leopold could have been in Europe at the time and likely could have avoided questioning and ultimately extradition. Leopold had applied for a U.S. Passport on April 24, 1924, about one month before the murder. It was approved and issued on April 28, 1924. Leopold's family was set to leave for Europe on June 11, 1924. The police brought him in for official questioning on May 29, 1924, only 18 days before they were set to leave. That was one European vacation that Nathan was never able to take.