Chicago rat hole
 The hole, as pictured in Dumaine's original tweet | |
 | |
| 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. After existing for decades,[citation needed] it became a viral phenomenon on social media (mainly Twitter) in January 2024, attracting tourists to the site.
History
Gatorade Should Be Thicker. @WinslowDumaine Had to make a pilgrimage to the Chicago Rat Hole
January 6, 2024[1]
The hole was first noted on January 6, 2024, via a tweet by Chicago-based comedian and writer Winslow Dumaine.[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, cheese, cigarettes, alcohol, toys, food and hormone pills.[4][2][5]
Despite its newfound attention in 2024, the hole was not new: according to locals[who?], the hole had existed for at least 20–30 years.[2][3][6] Additionally, there is doubt that the hole was created by a rat, as locals believe it was actually a squirrel.[6] The director of Lincoln Park Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute, Seth Magle, believes it to be more likely for a squirrel to have fallen on wet concrete from a tree.[7] Supporting this theory, one resident stated that an oak tree had existed above that section of the sidewalk that had since been cut down.[3]
Political reaction
On January 10, 2024, Ann Williams, the state representative for Chicago's 11th district, posted a humorous video promoting the hole, calling it "the jewel of the 11th district".[2]
On January 11, 2024, the Lakeview Roscoe Village's Chamber of Commerce started receiving suggestions of names for the rat hole, accepting submissions until January 18, 2024.[8][better source needed]
Gallery
-
The hole photographed on January 7, 2024, shortly after the photographer inserted the first penny
-
The hole photographed on January 13, 2024 by Junlper, filled with offerings of coins and estrogen pills[4]
![The hole photographed on January 13, 2024 by Junlper, filled with offerings of coins and estrogen pills[4]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Chicago_Rat_Hole_Estrogen.jpg/300px-Chicago_Rat_Hole_Estrogen.jpg)
See also
- Pizza Rat, another internet meme based on rats in New York City
- Pothole
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. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c Edwards, Jonathan (January 13, 2024). "Chicago has a new tourist destination: The 'Rat Hole'". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b "Rat impression in sidewalk has the internet talking". cnn.com. CNN. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Fisher • •, Alexandria (January 17, 2024). "Cheese and cigarettes: People are setting up shrines at the Chicago rat hole. See the creative displays at the new viral attraction". NBC Chicago. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Washburn, Kaitlin (January 10, 2024). "Going down the 'rat hole?' Viral phenomenon 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.
- ^ "It's time to make it an official attraction: Name the Chicago Rat Hole!". Fox 32 Chicago. January 12, 2024.
External links
