Chicago’s beloved ‘Rat Hole’ removed — but it may not be gone forever

CHICAGO (WGN) — The infamous “Chicago Rat Hole” — which once served as a place of urban wonderment and, for one couple, matrimony — has officially been removed.

City crews were captured removing the slab of concrete, fully intact with the rodent-shaped hole imprinted in it, around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The “Chicago Rat Hole” was located in the 1900 block of West Roscoe Street in the city’s Roscoe Village neighborhood. It gained national attention back in January after a picture of it was posted to social media — and went viral.

While the imperfection had been on the sidewalk for years, it suddenly became a hot spot for tourists who wanted to snap a picture of the rat hole. Some people would honor the hole by leaving flowers and money inside of it. A Chicago couple even got married at the infamous imprint.

In January, someone filled in the rat hole with a material resembling white plaster, although the impression was quickly dug out by fans, the Chicago Tribune reported at the time.

Earlier this year, 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack said neighbors — who believe the rarity was actually caused by a squirrel — had grown tired of locals and tourists swarming the area.

It isn’t exactly gone forever though, it seems.

Erica Schroeder, a spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Transportation, told The Associated Press that the square of sidewalk “containing the famous ‘Chicago rat hole’” is now in temporary storage.

She said that where the slab of sidewalk will eventually end up is expected to be a “collaborative decision between the city departments and the mayor’s office.”

Schroeder said the rat hole section, as well as other portions of sidewalk along Roscoe Street on Chicago’s Northside, were removed by Department of Transportation crews Wednesday morning after the agency inspected them and determined they needed to be replaced because of damage.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.