Looking for a Chicago-Centric Speaker or Group Activity?
L Stop Tours Offers Engaging Presentations and Custom Experiences
Planning a group event, corporate gathering, or community program in the Chicago area? Let L Stop Tours help make your event memorable with interactive presentations and activities that bring the city’s history and culture to life.
We offer a variety of live, image-rich presentations and Chicago-focused experiences, ideal for both visitors and locals:
60-minute visual storytelling presentations on unique Chicago topics such as:
- The History of Chicago’s Elevated Transit System
- The Rise and Fall of the Union Stockyards
- Last of a Kind: 11 True Dinosaurs of Chicago
- The 9 Lives of Navy Pier
- Chicago: Retail Capital of the World
- Chicago’s Grand Hotels Over Time
Whether you’re hosting a library program, senior group, professional organization, or school audience, our Chicago presentations are educational, entertaining, and tailored to your goals.
Book a Presentation
To get started, please complete our Contact Us form or call 312-532-7124. A member of our team will help you plan a custom event that fits your group and schedule.
Pricing is based on group size, location, timing, and type of experience.
The History of Chicago’s “L” Transit System Presentation
This is a comprehensive presentation that traces the rise of one of America’s most iconic public transportation networks. Created by Tom Schaffner of L Stop Tours, this engaging talk explores the origins of the elevated train system in the late 1800s, its evolution through private and public ownership, and its lasting impact on Chicago’s growth and identity. Learn how the “L” helped reduce congestion, connected neighborhoods, and became a vital part of daily life—surviving economic downturns, modernization efforts, and even a global pandemic.
The presentation highlights key moments such as the creation of the Union Loop, the construction of subways during the WPA era, the formation of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and expansions to O’Hare and Midway airports. It concludes with a look at the system’s future and its ongoing role in Chicago’s transportation landscape.
The Rise and Fall of the Chicago Union Stockyards Presentation
Explore the fascinating history of one of Chicago’s most powerful economic engines in this engaging presentation by Tom Schaffner, founder of L Stop Tours. “The Rise and Fall of the Chicago Union Stockyards” traces the 106-year story of the world’s largest livestock market—from its 1865 founding to its 1971 closure—offering insight into how it shaped Chicago’s global reputation, economy, and identity.
At its peak, the Union Stockyards covered 475 acres, employed over 40,000 workers, and processed more than 18 million animals a year. The presentation covers how innovations like the refrigerated railcar, assembly-line meatpacking, and transportation logistics revolutionized the meat industry. It also dives into the cultural impact of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, the devastating 1934 fire, and the economic shifts that eventually led to the Stockyards’ decline.
Urban Dinosaurs of Chicago Presentation
What do a manual elevator, an abandoned post office, and 16-inch softball have in common? They’re all part of a fading chapter in Chicago’s story.
In this lively and thought-provoking presentation, Chicago historian and L Stop Tours founder Tom Schaffner explores 11 iconic landmarks, institutions, and traditions that are still part of city life—but may not be for long. From the towering halls of the Board of Trade to the sands of disappearing beaches, “Last of a Kind?” takes you on a tour of the city’s true “dinosaurs”—places that once defined Chicago’s identity but now face obsolescence, reinvention, or erasure.
Whether you’re a Chicago native or history enthusiast, you’ll gain new insight into how urban evolution, technology, and cultural shifts are reshaping the city. You’ll also be invited to reflect: Which “dinosaurs” are worth saving?