Prohibition Chicago: Reality vs. Myth Walking Tour
Prohibition, mobsters and all that jazz...
More than 100 years later, stories of Chicago during the Prohibition Era still capture the public’s imagination. But the portrayal of that era in popular culture doesn’t always paint the whole picture, and in many cases the people responsible have played fast and loose with the truth.
On this two-hour walking tour, you’ll hear how the culture in turn-of-the-century Chicago helped bring about the 18th Amendment through stories of notorious vice districts along the Chicago River and the South Loop. You’ll learn about the rise of Al Capone during the infamous “Beer Wars,” culminating in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, which so shocked the American public that the federal government was compelled to intervene. Along the way, we’ll talk about how the city played a role in the popular and artistic growth of jazz, and how Chicago during the Roaring Twenties has been depicted on screen in blockbusters such as The Untouchables and Chicago.
Most of the route will take place along the banks of the Chicago River, and we’ll also see a few interiors that provide examples of Jazz Age décor, and enter a building that was used for two pivotal scenes in The Untouchables.
Please be advised that this tour contains stories of murder and sex work. Although children are welcome on this tour, parents should use their own discretion in determining whether it is suitable for those under 15.
