 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The building that now contains Chicago's Red Lion Pub was built in
1882, a few years after the Great Fire. At that time, the building was
on the northern outskirts of the city, surrounded by farms and
countryside. The Lincoln Park and DePaul neighborhoods grew up around
the building.
Al Capone reportedly hung out in this neighborhood during Prohibition when he wasn't in his corner booth at the Green Mill. Across the street lies the Biograph Theater, where the "Lady in Red" fingered John Dillinger, and was subsequently gunned down by FBI agents in the alley next door. In the 1940's, the building sported a "Wild West" saloon called Dirty Dans', that more respectable people stayed out of. The second floor at that time housed a gambling hall, and apartments were located on the third floor. Later, the building became a produce store, a laundry facility, and a novelty shop. The building was rescued from disrepair in 1984 by a well-known Chicago architect named John Cordwell, who named it the Red Lion Pub. John was born in 1920 in London and was trained there in both architecture and town planning. He came to Chicago in 1950.
John Donald Cordwell The "Red Lion" was selected as the bar's name in part because it is the most common pub name stemming from the height of the name's popularity between the 15th and 17th Centuries. One reason for the name's popularity is due to John of Gaunt (now known as Ghent). John of Gaunt became one of the most powerful men in 14th Century England when he claimed full power as Viceroy following his father's senility (King Edward III, that is) John's heraldic device was a red lion. In addition, when James I (a.k.a., King James VI of Scotland) ascended to power, he demanded the red lion of Scotland be displayed in public places throughout England. During King James' rule, displaying a red lion outside an establishment was a way for pub owners to show loyalty to their bosses. During its time as the Red Lion Pub, it has hosted the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Twighlight Tales, stand-up comedy nights and countless other groups gathering under its Tudor canopy. The Red Lion Pub is reputed to be the "most haunted" pub in Chicago. |
|
�
The Red Lion Pub |
