The Viral “Chicago Rat Hole” Almost Disappears
Recently, there have been reports of people stating that someone tried to fill in the famous Chicago rat hole that recently went viral on social media with cement-like material. This happened last Friday, Jan. 19. People all over the Chicagoland area were very upset about this. The good thing is that whatever the specific person might have used to disappear the new attraction, was still wet and not dry.
Meaning that there was still a chance to rescue it and bring it back to its normal shape. According to NBC Sports’ Alex Shapiro, “It’s not clear who has a problem with the rat hole and doesn’t want us to have nice things, but Lakeview neighbor Johnathan Howell grabbed his license plate and went to work digging out the hole. Other neighbors joined in, using other small tools to help.”
This demonstrates the appreciation that people have now gained and how there is a new type of attachment towards the rat hole. The reason being that this is now considered a history symbol and a new attraction for the city of Chicago.
About the Recognized Chicago Rat Hole
The “rat hole” is not something new, it has in fact, been in the city for quite some years now. It is known to be an indentation of a rat, but some neighbors and animal experts said it was more likely an indentation left by a small squirrel that must have fallen out of a tree.
Furthermore, this indentation was left behind when the cement was still wet in the 1990’s. It is located in the 1900 block of West Roscoe Street, in Roscoe Village. People even named the creature that created this famous attraction, “Chimley.”
Nonetheless, this phenomenon has now become viral and very well known this month. After fans started posting photos and videos showcasing the historic creation on social media. It has gained so much attention and gone viral to the point of people going to pay their respects to the rat or squirrel that initially created its imprint on the wet concrete.
Roscoe Village Community Gathers to Bring the Rat Hole Back
As stated previously, people noticed that the rat hole was filled on Friday morning, meaning that someone filled it in overnight. However, immediately, Howell, who didn’t know about the rat hole, despite living in the neighborhood for more than 20 years, neighbors and fans got to work and grabbed tools to dig it out. Surprisingly, there were many people who were not aware of this rat hole prior to this incident or this phase of the rat hole going viral. Which might have been a contributor as to why there are people that want to make it go away.
Moreover, by early afternoon, the hole looked mostly back to normal, even though remnants remained, and some alleged dry concrete. This whole situation even Representative Ann Williams learned about it. She said,
“I was shocked and saddened, by news someone tried to fill in the hole.”
She is now close monitoring the situation. Rep. Williams had also previously posted a video celebrating “the Chicago rat hole” as a landmark on the same scale of importance as Wrigley Field.
Community Statements
Another Chicago citizen, Judi Walden, said as she walked by the covered hole. Walden has lived in the neighborhood since 2005,
“Who did this?” “That’s horrible”
She was sad to see it filled in. And so on, many Chicago residents and citizens had something to say about the viral rat hole because it’s not nice to do something like this after people have even gone from other communities to go see it. Also something very important that Howell said is,
“As a Chicagoan, I feel the preservation of history is important.”
Written by Jeanette Sanchez
Sources:
Block Club Chicago: Someone Tried To Fill In Chicago’s Rat Hole-But Neighbors Brought It Back To Life
Upi: Chicagoans work to preserve viral “rat hole”
NBC Chicago: The Chicago “rat hole” is no longer a hole-it appears to have been filled in
NBC News: “That’s not right”: Neighbors try to save Chicago’s “rat hole” after finding it allegedly filled with cement
Featured Image Courtesy of Airwolfhound Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of vagueonthehow Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
