Question 1

True or false: The first Ferris Wheel debuted at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Accepted Answer

True. Designed by George Ferris Jr. as a rival to the Eiffel Tower, it stood 264 feet tall and carried over 2,000 people at a time.

Question 2

True or false: Deep-dish pizza was invented in Chicago by a pizzeria called Pizzeria Uno in 1943.

Accepted Answer

True. Pizzeria Uno, founded in 1943 by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, is widely credited as the birthplace of deep-dish pizza.

Question 3

True or false: Chicago has more than 50 beaches along Lake Michigan's shoreline.

Accepted Answer

False. Chicago actually has 24 public beaches, not over 50. It's a common exaggeration due to the city's long lakefront.

Question 4

True or false: Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States.

Accepted Answer

True. As of the 2020 census, Chicago's population of 2.7 million makes it the third-largest U.S. city, behind New York and Los Angeles.

Question 5

True or false: The Chicago River flows backwards thanks to a massive engineering project.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1900, engineers reversed the river's flow to carry sewage away from Lake Michigan, a feat of civil engineering.

Question 6

True or false: The Chicago Public Library was rebuilt after the Great Chicago Fire using donations from British author Thomas Hughes.

Accepted Answer

False. Chicago had no public library prior to the 1871 fire. The library was newly founded, not rebuilt, using donations including books from Thomas Hughes.

Question 7

True or false: Chicago's L train system is the second oldest rapid transit system in the United States.

Accepted Answer

True. Chicago's 'L' opened in 1892, making it the second oldest U.S. rapid transit system, after New York City's elevated lines (1868). Boston's subway opened later in 1897.

Question 8

True or false: Chicago is home to the world's only skyscraper designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Accepted Answer

False. Frank Lloyd Wright designed several skyscrapers, including the Price Tower in Oklahoma and the Johnson Wax Building in Wisconsin. None are in Chicago.

Chicago Trivia Questions