Chicago rat hole
 | |
| 41°56′36″N 87°40′37″W / 41.943321°N 87.676881°W | |
| Location | Near 1918 West Roscoe Street, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Type | Hole |
The Chicago rat hole is a rat-shaped hole in the sidewalk of West Roscoe Street in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of Chicago.
History
Gatorade Should Be Thicker. @WinslowDumaine Had to make a pilgrimage to the Chicago Rat Hole
6 January 2024[1]
The hole was first brought to worldwide attention via a January 6th 2024 Tweet by Chicago-based comedian and writer Winslow Dumaine, who, while heading to a store nearby, was informed to look out for it by a friend.[1][2][3] The post quickly became viral, compelling many Chicago residents to visit the hole – in what has been described as a "pilgrimage" – and to make offerings to it, such as coins, flowers, candles, toys and food.[2]
Despite the recent attention, the hole isn't new: according to locals, the hole has existed for at least 20–30 years.[2][3][4] Additionally, there's doubt that the hole was created by a rat, as locals believe it was actually a squirrel.[4] The director of Lincoln Park Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute, Dr. Seth Magle, concurs that the hole's size would be consistent with a big rat; however, Magle believes it to be more likely for a squirrel to have fallen on wet concrete from a tree.[5]
Political reaction
On January 10th, 2024, Ann Williams, the state representative for Chicago's 11th district, posted humorous a video promoting the hole, calling it "the jewel of the 11th district".[6][2]
On January 11th, 2024, the Lakeview Roscoe Village's Chamber of Commerce started receiving suggestions of names for the rat hole, accepting submissions until January 18th, 2024.[7]
External links
References
- ^ a b Winslow Dumaine [@WinslowDumaine] (January 6, 2024). "Had to make a pilgrimage to the Chicago Rat Hole" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 18, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d Schmall, Emily (January 13, 2024). "Chicago's Latest Attraction? A Rat-Shaped Hole". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Edwards, Jonathan (January 13, 2024). "Chicago has a new tourist destination: The 'Rat Hole'". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b Washburn, Kaitlin (January 10, 2024). "Going down the 'rat hole?' Viral phenom is actually decades-old squirrel imprint beloved by the block, neighbors say". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ "Zoo expert reveals 3 reasons why Chicago's 'rat hole' might not be a rat". NBC Chicago. January 16, 2024.
- ^ Rep. Ann Williams [@RepAnnWilliams] (January 10, 2024). "Come visit the jewel of the 11th district - the Chicago Rat Hole. #twill" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 18, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "It's time to make it an official attraction: Name the Chicago Rat Hole!". Fox 32 Chicago. January 12, 2024.