What makes the Chicago rat hole story so much fun? It is a story of a sidewalk imprint made while the cement was wet. It looks just like a rat. Just look at that with its detail. These stories are great because they bring together science to bear on our urban myth sorts of stories that run rampant and go viral.
It has been named the Chicago rate hole, and in a naming contest the winner was Splatatouille. With social media it became a famed pilgrimage spot where selfie photos are shared on X by the famous and the ordinary.
Neighbourhood complaints resulted in the removal of the cement chunk in 2024. Too bad, because when scientists were asked to look into the story, they didn’t have the actual imprint to work with. They detailed the scientific method used and their conclusion was that a squirrel made the imprint rather than a rat. Read the CNN story details HERE.
It turns out that the removed rat hole cement block was preserved and is awaiting a permanent home in order to have public viewing. Then it can have its fame again. As in:
“Marilyn Monroe wasn’t her real name, but Norma Jean still captured the heart of the world,” Dumaine wrote in an email. “The rodent responsible for the Chicago Rat Hole does not need to be a rat to accomplish the very same.”
Below is a bit of Santa Fe sidewalk art from a few years ago. I haven’t found anything rat-shaped in my wanderings.
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