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June 28, 2021

Chicago Has Had a Mermaid, and We Got to Meet Her

City Cast Chicago

Chicago Has Had a Mermaid, and We Got to Meet Her

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Along the lakefront at Oakwood Beach lies a mermaid carved from limestone. She’s been watching over Lake Michigan since 1986, but for some Chicagoans her origin story, or even her existence, was a mystery. Host Jacoby Cochran got to visit the mermaid for the very first time with one of its creators, Roman Villarreal. They talk about how the sculpture actually came to be and who the inspiration was. Oh, also about how this mermaid will likely live in Chicago for another 300 years. 


Guests:

Paul Dailing: Writer

Román Villarreal: Artist

Atlas Obscura: The Secret Mermaid


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