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Bronzeville Walk of Fame
Ida B. Wells, Gwendolyn Brooks, and astronaut Robert H. Lawrence Jr. are among more than 100 community leaders honored across the neighborhood for their lasting achievements. The outdoor commemorative program features 91 bronze plaques embedded in medians, sidewalks, and crosswalks along a ten-block corridor, framed by landmarks such as the Monument to the Great Northern…
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Chicago Water Tower
Built in 1869, the Chicago Water Tower survived the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but legend tells of a man operating the pumps who hanged himself to avoid perishing. Visitors and locals report seeing his ghostly figure in the tower’s windows, making it a top destination for Chicago ghost enthusiasts.
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Eastland Disaster
On July 24, 1915, the SS Eastland capsized in the Chicago River, claiming 844 lives, including 22 entire families. Witnesses report seeing shadowy figures, floating faces, and hands reaching from the water, echoing the tragic event. The disaster remains one of Chicago’s deadliest maritime tragedies and a haunting site for those exploring haunted Chicago history.
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Holmes’ Murder Castle
In 1886, Dr. H.H. Holmes built the infamous “Murder Castle” for the World’s Fair. At least 20 victims—and possibly hundreds more—died in acid pits, gas chambers, and makeshift operating tables. Although the building was demolished, locals still report hauntings tied to Holmes’ gruesome legacy, cementing it as a dark chapter in Chicago ghost history. The terrifying tales of the Murder…
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Ivanhoe Restaurant
Al Capone regularly retired to the Ivanhoe Restaurant at 3000 North Clark Street when he wasn’t working out of the Lexington. Beneath the Ivanhoe sat a hidden speakeasy called “The Catacombs,” reached via a fake elevator that shook and clanked but never actually rose—guests instead slipped out a side door and followed winding stairs down…
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Jane Addams Hull-House
At Hull-House, a chilling legend tells of the “Devil Baby,” a deformed child with scaly skin, horns, and a tail who allegedly took refuge in the attic. Onlookers claim to see its ghostly figure staring from the windows, blending Chicago’s social history with haunted folklore. Visitors and locals alike remain fascinated by the story, making Hull-House a unique destination for…
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Leather Archives & Museum
Founded in 1991 by Chuck Renslow and Tony DeBlase, the museum preserves and interprets artifacts, archives, and stories from leather, kink, fetish, and BDSM communities. As one of the largest specialized collections in the world, the museum including photographs, uniforms, correspondence, periodicals, and oral histories that document queer subcultures and activism. Visitors find rotating exhibitions,…
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Loyola University Chicago
Built in 1869, the Chicago Water Tower survived the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but legend tells of a man operating the pumps who hanged himself to avoid perishing. Visitors and locals report seeing his ghostly figure in the tower’s windows, making it a top destination for Chicago ghost enthusiasts.
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Monument to the Great Northern Migration
Alison Saar’s Great Migration statue in Chicago honors the African Americans who left the Jim Crow South for Northern opportunity. The bronze figure, facing north with a worn suitcase, symbolizes the journey, skills, and hopes migrants brought; surrounding bollards shaped like suitcases feature patterns inspired by early 20th-century tin ceilings. Dedicated in 1994, the monument…
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Netherland Theatre
On December 30, 1903, a devastating fire broke out at the theatre before it became the Nederlander Theatre, killing 600 people. Nearby residents and visitors report hearing phantom footsteps and whispers, believed to be the spirits of those who perished in ‘Death Alley,’ the street behind the theater where bodies were stacked after the disaster. Today, the…
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Schwinn Bicycle Company
When the Schwinn Bicycle Company opened in Chicago in 1901, Black cyclists were already shaping the city’s biking culture. At a time when public streets—the “Road”—offered one of the few spaces for freedom, bicycles became tools of liberation.
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Simon’s Tavern
Opened in May 1934 by Simon Lundberg, the tavern began with a Prohibition‑era basement speakeasy called the N.N. Club, short for “No Name Club,” which operated from 1929 to 1933. The bar still features original woodwork, a long mahogany bar, a jukebox, and Swedish‑heritage touches like pickled‑herring signage. Owned by the current proprietor since 1994,…
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South Side Community Art Center
Founded 1940 by Black artists including Dr. Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, Eldzier Cortor, Charles White, Archibald Motley, Bernard Goss, William Carter, and Joseph Kersey — is the oldest African American art center in the United States and a Chicago Historic Landmark. Born from late-1930s Arts and Crafts Guild meetings, SSCAC was established to support Black artists and…
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Swedish American Museum
The three-story building that houses the Swedish American Museum was built in 1927 by Swedish architect Anders Norman for Lind Hardware and became the museum’s Clark Street home in 1987. Its original wooden water tank, which served for fire suppression for over a century, was removed in 2014 and, thanks to community donations and local…
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Taqueria Moran
Tucked away on Fullerton Avenue, Taqueria Moran doesn’t rely on flashy signs or marketing—it draws crowds through word of mouth alone. For years, this unassuming restaurant has delighted diners with the strength of its food and the warmth of the family behind it. Step inside and the smells of slow-cooked meats, fresh masa, and simmering salsas greet you. The space is modest,…
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The Blue Line
The Blue Line runs through the heart of Logan Square, connecting the neighborhood to nearly every part of Chicago. The Logan Square station, at Milwaukee Avenue and Logan Boulevard, provides a direct route to the Loop in about 20 minutes and O’Hare Airport in roughly 45 minutes—without traffic or costly rideshares.
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The Drake Hotel
The Drake Hotel, built in 1920, hosted celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Winston Churchill, but it’s also famous for ghosts: the Woman in Black, who shot a socialite in 1944, and the Woman in Red, who jumped from the 10th floor during a 1920 New Year’s Eve gala. Guests and staff continue to…
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The Green Door Tavern
The Green Door Tavern in Chicago is one of the city’s oldest bars, with origins dating back to 1872 and a storied connection to Prohibition. During the 1920s, when alcohol was outlawed nationwide, the Green Door gained a reputation as a hidden speakeasy, offering illicit drinks behind its unmarked door and drawing patrons eager to beat the dry…
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The Green Mill Lounge
The Green Mill in Chicago is a legendary bar with deep roots in Prohibition-era history. Established in 1907, it became a favorite hideout for mobsters and jazz musicians during the 1920s, offering illegal speakeasy-style drinks and live music. Today, the Green Mill continues to celebrate its historic Chicago Prohibition past, making it a must-visit spot for those exploring the city’s nightlife…
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The Illinois Centennial Monument
The Illinois Centennial Monument, dedicated in 1918, celebrates 100 years of statehood. Designed by Henry Bacon just before he created the Lincoln Memorial, the 70-foot marble column links the ideals of ancient Greek democracy to Illinois’s early years.
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The Lexington Hotel
The Lexington Hotel in Chicago was a grand ten‑story hotel built in 1892 that later became infamous as the headquarters for gangster Al Capone during the Prohibition era, when bootlegging and organized crime flourished in the city. From 1928 to 1931, Capone and his crew operated out of the hotel’s upper floors, using it as a base for running illegal…
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The Mile of Murals
This community public art corridor began in 2007 to showcase neighborhood creativity. The project has transformed walls along the Glenwood Avenue CTA Red Line track into about 16,000 sq ft of painted surface, including block-length murals, viaduct panels, and an overpass. The goal is a continuous mile of murals from Estes Avenue to Pratt Boulevard,…
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The Milshire Hotel
Along Diversey Avenue near the edge of Logan Square stands the Milshire Hotel, a building that has quietly watched the neighborhood evolve for decades. Over the years, it has served as a residential hotel, a temporary home for newcomers to the city, and a long-term residence for locals drawn to its affordable rooms and central location. The vintage…
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Victory Monument
Victory Monument commemorates the African American soldiers of Chicago’s 8th Regiment, later the 370th Infantry of the 93rd Division, who fought in World War I. Championed by the Chicago Defender and backed by Rep. George T. Kersey, funding was approved in 1923 to honor Black veterans at 35th Street and South Parkway (now Martin Luther…
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Women and Children First Bookstore
This independent bookstore, founded in 1979, champions women’s voices, LGBTQ+ authors, and underrepresented storytellers. The shop offers more than 20,000 carefully selected fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. Over the decades it has become a community hub, offering a gathering place during local festivals and Pride and hosting book clubs, in‑store signings, and partnerships with local…
Explore Chicago’s most haunted landmarks and discover chilling stories from across the city. From historic hotels to riverside disasters, these locations are must-visits for anyone intrigued by haunted Chicago, ghost tours, and local legends.
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Bronzeville Walk of Fame
Ida B. Wells, Gwendolyn Brooks, and astronaut Robert H. Lawrence Jr. are among more than 100 community leaders honored across the neighborhood for their lasting achievements. The outdoor commemorative program features 91 bronze plaques embedded in medians, sidewalks, and crosswalks along a ten-block corridor, framed by landmarks such as the Monument to the Great Northern…
-
Chicago Water Tower
Built in 1869, the Chicago Water Tower survived the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but legend tells of a man operating the pumps who hanged himself to avoid perishing. Visitors and locals report seeing his ghostly figure in the tower’s windows, making it a top destination for Chicago ghost enthusiasts.
-
Eastland Disaster
On July 24, 1915, the SS Eastland capsized in the Chicago River, claiming 844 lives, including 22 entire families. Witnesses report seeing shadowy figures, floating faces, and hands reaching from the water, echoing the tragic event. The disaster remains one of Chicago’s deadliest maritime tragedies and a haunting site for those exploring haunted Chicago history.
-
Jane Addams Hull-House
At Hull-House, a chilling legend tells of the “Devil Baby,” a deformed child with scaly skin, horns, and a tail who allegedly took refuge in the attic. Onlookers claim to see its ghostly figure staring from the windows, blending Chicago’s social history with haunted folklore. Visitors and locals alike remain fascinated by the story, making Hull-House a unique destination for…
-
Leather Archives & Museum
Founded in 1991 by Chuck Renslow and Tony DeBlase, the museum preserves and interprets artifacts, archives, and stories from leather, kink, fetish, and BDSM communities. As one of the largest specialized collections in the world, the museum including photographs, uniforms, correspondence, periodicals, and oral histories that document queer subcultures and activism. Visitors find rotating exhibitions,…
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Loyola University Chicago
Built in 1869, the Chicago Water Tower survived the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but legend tells of a man operating the pumps who hanged himself to avoid perishing. Visitors and locals report seeing his ghostly figure in the tower’s windows, making it a top destination for Chicago ghost enthusiasts.
-
Monument to the Great Northern Migration
Alison Saar’s Great Migration statue in Chicago honors the African Americans who left the Jim Crow South for Northern opportunity. The bronze figure, facing north with a worn suitcase, symbolizes the journey, skills, and hopes migrants brought; surrounding bollards shaped like suitcases feature patterns inspired by early 20th-century tin ceilings. Dedicated in 1994, the monument…
-
Netherland Theatre
On December 30, 1903, a devastating fire broke out at the theatre before it became the Nederlander Theatre, killing 600 people. Nearby residents and visitors report hearing phantom footsteps and whispers, believed to be the spirits of those who perished in ‘Death Alley,’ the street behind the theater where bodies were stacked after the disaster. Today, the…
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Schwinn Bicycle Company
When the Schwinn Bicycle Company opened in Chicago in 1901, Black cyclists were already shaping the city’s biking culture. At a time when public streets—the “Road”—offered one of the few spaces for freedom, bicycles became tools of liberation.
-
South Side Community Art Center
Founded 1940 by Black artists including Dr. Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, Eldzier Cortor, Charles White, Archibald Motley, Bernard Goss, William Carter, and Joseph Kersey — is the oldest African American art center in the United States and a Chicago Historic Landmark. Born from late-1930s Arts and Crafts Guild meetings, SSCAC was established to support Black artists and…
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The Drake Hotel
The Drake Hotel, built in 1920, hosted celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Winston Churchill, but it’s also famous for ghosts: the Woman in Black, who shot a socialite in 1944, and the Woman in Red, who jumped from the 10th floor during a 1920 New Year’s Eve gala. Guests and staff continue to…
-
The Mile of Murals
This community public art corridor began in 2007 to showcase neighborhood creativity. The project has transformed walls along the Glenwood Avenue CTA Red Line track into about 16,000 sq ft of painted surface, including block-length murals, viaduct panels, and an overpass. The goal is a continuous mile of murals from Estes Avenue to Pratt Boulevard,…
-
The Milshire Hotel
Along Diversey Avenue near the edge of Logan Square stands the Milshire Hotel, a building that has quietly watched the neighborhood evolve for decades. Over the years, it has served as a residential hotel, a temporary home for newcomers to the city, and a long-term residence for locals drawn to its affordable rooms and central location. The vintage…
-
Victory Monument
Victory Monument commemorates the African American soldiers of Chicago’s 8th Regiment, later the 370th Infantry of the 93rd Division, who fought in World War I. Championed by the Chicago Defender and backed by Rep. George T. Kersey, funding was approved in 1923 to honor Black veterans at 35th Street and South Parkway (now Martin Luther…
Explore Chicago’s prohibition-era sites and uncover stories of speakeasies, bootleggers, and hidden raids. From secret basement bars to notorious gang hangouts, these locations are must-visits for anyone intrigued by Prohibition Chicago, clandestine tours, and local bootlegging lore.
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Ivanhoe Restaurant
Al Capone regularly retired to the Ivanhoe Restaurant at 3000 North Clark Street when he wasn’t working out of the Lexington. Beneath the Ivanhoe sat a hidden speakeasy called “The Catacombs,” reached via a fake elevator that shook and clanked but never actually rose—guests instead slipped out a side door and followed winding stairs down…
-
Simon’s Tavern
Opened in May 1934 by Simon Lundberg, the tavern began with a Prohibition‑era basement speakeasy called the N.N. Club, short for “No Name Club,” which operated from 1929 to 1933. The bar still features original woodwork, a long mahogany bar, a jukebox, and Swedish‑heritage touches like pickled‑herring signage. Owned by the current proprietor since 1994,…
-
The Green Door Tavern
The Green Door Tavern in Chicago is one of the city’s oldest bars, with origins dating back to 1872 and a storied connection to Prohibition. During the 1920s, when alcohol was outlawed nationwide, the Green Door gained a reputation as a hidden speakeasy, offering illicit drinks behind its unmarked door and drawing patrons eager to beat the dry…
-
The Green Mill Lounge
The Green Mill in Chicago is a legendary bar with deep roots in Prohibition-era history. Established in 1907, it became a favorite hideout for mobsters and jazz musicians during the 1920s, offering illegal speakeasy-style drinks and live music. Today, the Green Mill continues to celebrate its historic Chicago Prohibition past, making it a must-visit spot for those exploring the city’s nightlife…
-
The Lexington Hotel
The Lexington Hotel in Chicago was a grand ten‑story hotel built in 1892 that later became infamous as the headquarters for gangster Al Capone during the Prohibition era, when bootlegging and organized crime flourished in the city. From 1928 to 1931, Capone and his crew operated out of the hotel’s upper floors, using it as a base for running illegal…
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Schwinn Bicycle Company
When the Schwinn Bicycle Company opened in Chicago in 1901, Black cyclists were already shaping the city’s biking culture. At a time when public streets—the “Road”—offered one of the few spaces for freedom, bicycles became tools of liberation.
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The Illinois Centennial Monument
The Illinois Centennial Monument, dedicated in 1918, celebrates 100 years of statehood. Designed by Henry Bacon just before he created the Lincoln Memorial, the 70-foot marble column links the ideals of ancient Greek democracy to Illinois’s early years.