CHICAGO CRIME BLOG
Your guide to visiting Chicago and learning the stories of its notorious history. The best way to learn is on our tour, but our blog is the next best thing!
Chicago has approximately 178 neighborhoods that offer endless adventures and experiences. How do you decide where to unleash your curiosity in a big city like Chicago? It may feel like a daunting task.
The Chicago Crime Tour and Night Crimes Tour visit some of Chicago’s most captivating neighborhoods, full of rich history, iconic architecture and vibrant culture that are accessible to people of all ages and interests. Here are the 6 that top our list of Chicago’s top Neighborhoods to explore.
Jeffrey Dahmer is a name that remains etched in the annals of true-crime history. Known as the "Milwaukee Cannibal" or the "Milwaukee Monster," Dahmer's saga captured the nation's attention as a serial murderer. Briefly, in the 1970s, Dahmer lived in Chicago, and after returning to the city in 1991, he picked up his 15th victim: Jeremiah Weinberger.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a spring break vacation, Spring in Chicago offers amazing opportunities for special memories to be made. Our guide to 7 things to do in Chicago in the Spring will help you make the most of your time in the Windy City!
The Roaring Twenties was a period defined by its distinctive culture, social dynamics, and a unique response to Prohibition. Within the tapestry of this era, the Four Deuces Club, which derived its name from its address at 2222 S. Wabash in Chicago, emerges as a noteworthy speakeasy. The Four Deuces Club offers insights into the clandestine world of entertainment during the Prohibition Era. Speakeasy means to speak quietly, to avoid the detection of the authorities. This blog aims to delve into the historical significance of Four Deuces, examining its role in the broader context of Prohibition and the cultural landscape of 1920s Chicago.
The Roaring Twenties defined much of the identity of the Chicagoland area. There is no better way to immerse yourself in the intrigue and adventure of the era than to wear your very own Gangster or G-Men inspired gear, and no better place to get it than at Chicago Costume. If you are planning a corporate event event in Chicago, there’s no better way to get your group into the spirit than dressing up the part for your private group tour.
So whether it is donning a stylish fedora or going all out with a glitzy flapper dress, let their team dress you to the nines in all the finest attire of the era. Get into the spirit and check out what they have to offer before attending the Chicago Crime Tour or Night Crimes Tour.
Their stores located in Lincoln Park and Portage Park are open throughout the year for all your costume needs, including holidays, work functions, and general play.
Chicago Costume is the city’s premiere costume retailer and rental house. Since the 1970s, this three generation local business has provided costumed goods, services, and events throughout the Chicagoland area, with customers in different parts of the nation and in places around the globe.
Lincoln Park Location
1120 W. Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 528-1264
Portage Park Location
4727 W Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 60641
Phone: (773) 282-1264
4727 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
Instagram and Twitter: @chicagocostume
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagocostume
New Book Alert: Blue Handle Publishing is set to release The Heights by Chicago based author Ray Franze. The novel is based on a true story about Al Capone and an Italian immigrant who infiltrated his closest circle as a confidant. The release is scheduled for October in hardback, print, and ebook.
Looking for things to do in Chicago? Check out the Chicago Crime Tour on the KAYAK Chicago Travel Guide here.
Nitti’s Museum, Vault and Speakeasy create special and unique experiences at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in River North.
Join Chicago Crime Tours at Harry Caray’s Tavern Navy Pier for the 21st Annual Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray. Celebrate Harry Caray with the Harry Caray’s Team! Enjoy great friends, drinks and good times!
Happy 75th birthday to Pizzeria Uno! Chicago Crime Tours was honored to share in the celebration of 75 years of Chicago’s original Deep-Dish Pizza! Enjoy some photos from the festivities! Come try some pie on Chicago Crime Tour’s Crime & Pizza Walk. Tours run Memorial Day weekend - October. Also, check out the speakeasy upstairs at Pizzeria Due, which is just 1 block down the street from Pizzeria Uno. Make sure that you know the secret phrase for entry.
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, Chicago Crime Tours' premiere stop, was featured in USA Today 10 Best "Bad Boys: Famous Outlaw Hangouts Worthy Of A Visit."
These glasses are the last remaining witness to America's first thrill kill. Two brilliant and wealthy young men, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, murdered 14 year old Bobby Franks in May of 1924 just to see if they could get away with the gruesome act. As smart as Nathan Leopold may have been, he wasn't smart enough to realize that he dropped his unique glasses at Wolf Lake, the site of where the two murderers attempted to hide the body of young Bobby Franks. Investigative authorities were able to quickly trace the glasses back to Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, resulting in an admission. Although they were guilty, they were sparred the death penalty after a brilliant closing statement by Clarence Darrow, one of Chicago's most famous attorneys.
The Kerryman, currently a beautiful bar and restaurant at 661 N. Clark Street in Chicago, was once called McGovern Saloon. Former Chicago Gangster Dean O'Banion, one of the former leaders of the North Side gang during prohibition, once worked there as a waiter and singer. After waiting on and singing to customers, he would allegedly rob drunk customers after the left the bar.
Johnny Depp frequented the Kerryman while playing the role of notorious bank robber John Dillinger in the film "Public Enemy."
This office building at 648 N. Dearborn, in the heart of Chicago's River North neighborhood, used to be the Raleigh Hotel, which served as a one-night flophouse for notorious mass murderer Richard Speck. Speck tortured and murdered 8 nursing students from South Chicago Community Hospital on July 14, 1966.
"The Raleigh" lettering remains over the front entrance doors. The canopy cover the old hotel's name unless you get close enough to the entrance.
The Volstead Act was intended to carry out the intent of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the production, sale and transport of "intoxicating liquors." The 18th Amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933. Following the repeal of prohibition, The Berghoff was the first bar in Chicago to receive its liquor license. Here is a photo the original that is still on its wall.
Chicago Crime Tours guest shares his knowledge about the 1991 Chicago Rock N Roll McDonald's drug bust.
These are the last remaining bricks from the former mob retail shirt store front at 837 N. State Street. If these bricks could talk, they would have a lot to say.
See earlier blog post about building at 837 N. State Street in the River North neighborhood that was slated for demolition. Well, the building that was used for Chicago Mob Meetings has been transformed into dust. See upcoming post for historic brick memorabilia!
Warning from Chicago's most notorious bank robber John Dillinger.
A former shirt store at 837 N. State Street in Chicago's River North neighborhood, which was used many years ago as a front by the Chicago mob, is being knocked down by Loyola University to make room for new facility. Chicago mob members used to use this space for meetings, which is especially interesting in light of the fact that the old Schofield's Flower Shop, which was just down the street across from Holy Name Cathedral, also used to be used to hold meetings for Chicago's North Side gang during the 1920s.
