Tag Archives: al capone

Photo of the Day- The Green Mill

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"The Green Mill" - Tracey Capone Photography

Today’s Photo of the Day, “The Green Mill” is one of my favorites for two reasons: 1. if you’ve been following my blog you know that I love all the vintage neon signs around Chicago and 2. The Green Mill, and the Uptown area (my first neighborhood in Chicago) has a rich Capone history, and I’m not just saying that because I lived there. ;)

Located on the Far Northside of Chicago, The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge dates back to the 1920s and legend has it that infamous gangster Al Capone had tunnels from the Green Mill to the nearby Aragon Ballroom so he could easily escape police during raids. (there’s actually a huge picture of him up on their piano… I wonder if I can get a free cocktail when I show them my license??)

Next door to another favorite of mine, The Uptown, this lounge has been used in a number of popular movies including “High Fidelity” with John Cusack and “The Lake House” with Keanu Reaves and Sandra Bullock.

If you make your way to Chicago, keep your eyes open for some amazing neon. Even when it’s not lit up, it’s amazing.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Tracey Capone Photography

Photo of the Day- The Aragon

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The Aragon- Tracey Capone Photography

I’ve lived in Chicago twice now, once for ten years starting in 1999 and now for the second time since June of last year. I’m not shy about my love for this city. Winter weather and traffic aside, this city is tops, not in small part to the rich history behind all of amazing architectural finds you’ll come across on a daily basis.

Both times I’ve lived here, I’ve resided on the Far Northside in the Uptown/Edgewater/Rogers Park area and I honestly can’t imagine living anywhere else. I mean, look at the sorts of cool things I get to see on a regular basis; the Aragon being just one of them.

The Aragon Ballroom, located on the Far Northside of Chicago in Uptown, was built in 1926. It was designed to resemble a Spanish village and named after the province in Spain. It has played host to such big names as Frank Sinatra, Guy Lombardo and Duke Ellington. Legend has it that Al Capone had tunnels from the Green Mill Tavern down the street in to the Aragon basement to escape police during Prohibition. Pretty neat right? I wonder if they’ll ever find a second safe in one of those tunnels? Geraldo Rivera! Where are you??

Find this, as well as a number of other fun, vintage neon signs in my online gallery here. And don’t forget to get out in your own neighborhood and find treasures of your own. You never know what you’re going to come across!

Enjoy!

*tracey*