Suddenly Increased Tourists, Walking While Only Looking at the Ground... "To See Mouse Holes"

'Chicago Rat Hole' Emerging as a Tourist Attraction
Residents Complain About Inconvenience Caused by Influx of Tourists

[Image source=Winslow DuMaine SNS]

A 'rat-shaped hole' on a street in Chicago, Illinois, on the U.S. East Coast has become a hot topic, attracting a continuous stream of tourists coming to see it. However, residents are expressing dissatisfaction with the influx of tourists and are demanding that the rat hole be sealed.

On the 24th (local time), U.S. media including CBS reported that the so-called 'Chicago Rat Hole' is emerging as a new tourist attraction in Chicago. The term 'Rat Hole' is a combination of 'rat' and 'pothole,' referring to a hole in the road. The rat hole has been in the same location for a long time, but it became famous after artist and comedian Winslow Dumayne took a photo of it and posted it on social media on the 6th. He tweeted on his X (formerly Twitter), "If you come to Chicago, you must make a pilgrimage to the Chicago Rat Hole."

[Image source=CBS NEWS]

Since then, as more tourists have come to see the rat hole, it has become a new landmark. A passerby said, "It's really simple and artistic." Some tourists have even left coins or flowers around the rat hole.

There was also a case where a local politician mentioned the rat hole. Illinois State Representative Ann Williams posted a promotional video on X on the 10th, saying, "Visit the Chicago Rat Hole, the jewel of the 11th district." In the video, she said, "There are so many things to see and enjoy in this district, including great bars and restaurants, beautiful neighborhoods, the iconic Wrigley Field, and of course, the Chicago Rat Hole."

However, residents are complaining about the inconvenience caused by the influx of tourists. They expressed frustration at their residential area becoming a tourist attraction. In particular, one resident posted on the U.S. online community platform Reddit, listing the problems residents have recently faced due to the rat hole. The resident pointed out ▲damage to public property ▲cars honking as they pass by ▲loss of privacy for first-floor tenants ▲street parking throughout the neighborhood.

The resident criticized, "Last weekend was literally hell for me and my neighbors," adding, "The rat hole, which has been around for more than 20 years, has spread through the internet and has now become a cheap marketing tool. Everyone just wants to use the rat hole to gain influence online." Residents are hoping that the local government will remove the rat hole.