I've never been to it, but you definitely hear about the place a lot. The Green Mill in Uptown has had its high and lows over the last one hundred years, but currently, it is in the best-shape ever.
The Dec. 28th Chicago Tribune had an article "100 years, but hardly run of the mill" by Howard Reich about this storied place.
It began in 1907 as Pop Morse's Roadhouse. By 1910, the Chamales brothers had bought the place and changed the name to Green Mill Gardens and built a windmill on the roof.
During Prohibition, Al Capone spent time here and singer Joe E. Lewis throat was slashed by gangsters when he accepted an offer to perform elsewhere. Mobster "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn, who is believed to be the principal planner and assassin in the St. Valentine's Day massacre, operated it as a gin joint during the 1920s.
During the 60s and 70s, the club went into decline, but in 1986, Dave Jemilo bought it and restored it to its former splendor. He also brought in talent that got the crowds lining up at the door.
Glad to See the Mill Doing so Well. --RoadDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
1 comment:
Wow - The Mill's 100 years old!
I used to live six blocks from The Mill, and my boyfriend (now my husband) and I visited it frequently. It's a wonderful, "come-as-you-are" kind of place with affordable drinks, hot music and lots of character. We don't get to visit as often now that we live in the distant 'burbs, but going to the Mill is still a highlight of an ideal city weekend for us.
If you like jazz and Chicago history, I highly recommend a visit.
-Lake County Motorist
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