ChicagoGeek, “Blue Star Auto Stores (Built 1878)”
2001 South State Street, Chicago, IL
Located in the old Levee District, once the most crime-ridden area in Chicago, Blue Star is the only surviving building from that era. Once the old Cullerton Hotel, before it was refacaded, this was once a popular hangout for Al Capone, who supposedly ran a brothel here. Until 1900 it was a very respectable hotel but then illegal gambling began to take place in the basement, the upstairs became a brothel. Deep below the hotel was a series of secret tunnels, an elaborate 25-mile system. Today you can still see bricked-up entrances to the numerous gangster getaways.
Right now the building is for sale, even though the large auto-supply store remains open.
