A Decades-Old Mystery
The “Chicago Rat Hole,” an odd, rat-shaped impression in the sidewalk of West Roscoe Street in Roscoe Village, had existed for at least 20 to 30 years. Its origins remained a mystery, with some speculating it was caused by a falling squirrel. Despite its long presence, it gained viral fame in January 2024 after a tweet from Chicago comedian Winslow Dumaine.
A Social Media Sensation
The tweet sparked a wave of visits to the hole, with people making “pilgrimages” to the site and leaving offerings like coins, flowers, toys, and even bottles of Malört. The hole’s popularity led to the Riot Fest Historical Society placing a plaque at the location. A local softball team even adopted the rat as its unofficial mascot.
Community Engagement
Local interest grew, with Illinois State Representative Ann Williams calling it “the jewel of the 11th district.” The community held a contest to name the hole, with “Splatatouille” emerging as the winner. Despite its fame, an unknown individual attempted to fill the hole with plaster in January, but fans quickly restored it.
The Removal
On April 24, 2024, Chicago city officials removed the entire sidewalk slab containing the rat hole. Its future remains uncertain, but the hole was preserved intact during its removal.
The Viral Fame of Chicago’s “Rat Hole” 🐀
A Decades-Old Mystery
The “Chicago Rat Hole,” an odd, rat-shaped impression in the sidewalk of West Roscoe Street in Roscoe Village, had existed for at least 20 to 30 years. Its origins remained a mystery, with some speculating it was… pic.twitter.com/pZXlJoZURe— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) October 24, 2024