People Leave Mementos at Suddenly Popular 'Chicago Rat Hole'

The Chicago Rat Hole has been decorated with mementos every day since it became a viral landmark earlier this month.

Eric Marsh has been visiting and documenting the spot’s state every day for the past 12 days.

In footage posted on January 23, people can be seen gathering around the rodent-shaped outline. The cement shape is surrounded with coins and all sorts of offerings.

Interest in the Chicago Rat Hole, which has existed for decades, skyrocketed after Chicago-based comedian Winslow Dumaine posted a picture of the imprint on X on January 6, 2024.

According to local media, the imprint was possibly made by a squirrel that fell out of a nearby tree into wet cement over 20 years ago. Credit: Eric Marsh via Storyful

Video transcript

[CHATTER]

- I don't know. Is there a consensus?

[CHATTER]

- I hope so.

- I know. Yeah.

- [? Field ?] [? museum ?] or something.

- Could you take my photo now? Thank you so much.

[CHATTER]

- If you want to kneel down closer to it--

- I don't know. Is there a consensus?

- I hope so.

- I know, yeah.

- Field museum or something.

- Could you take my photo now? Thank you so much.

[CHATTER]

- If you want to kneel down closer to it--

- I don't know. Is there a consensus?

- I hope so.

- I know, yeah.

- Field museum or something.

- Could you take my photo now? Thank you so much.

[CHATTER]

- If you want to kneel down closer to--