Former Haunts: The Ghostly Lake Club in Chicago, IL

 

The Fire That Destroyed Chicago's Lake Club - Photo from Springfield Rewind on Facebook

Nestled in the heart of Chicago, The Lake Club once reigned as a vibrant hotspot throughout the roaring 1940s. It was a place where the biggest names in entertainment graced the stage, drawing in crowds eager to revel in the lively atmosphere of dancing, music, and laughter. 

The club's success story took a darker turn as the owners delved into illicit gambling, operating slot machines, craps, poker, and blackjack games in secrecy. However, the clandestine operation was eventually exposed during a police raid in 1958, leading to the club’s temporary closure. Despite reopening, its golden era had come to an end, and the doors finally shuttered in 1988, marking the end of an era.

But that was not the end of The Lake Club’s story.

As the 70s rolled in and the club transformed into the Sober Duck Rock and Disco Club, whispers of paranormal activity began to surface. Staff and patrons alike reported eerie encounters within the building's walls. Cold spots sent shivers down spines, and the unsettling feeling of being watched permeated the air. Disembodied footsteps echoed through empty corridors, and the faint sound of a piano playing when no one was near sent chills through those who heard it. 

In the disco era, the hauntings escalated. Objects mysteriously moved on their own, and invisible hands brushed against unsuspecting individuals. A waitress even claimed to have seen a floating head behind her in the bar mirror, later identified as "Rudy," a former employee who tragically took his own life in the back room during the club’s gambling days. Rudy’s despair and untimely demise seemed to have left a lingering imprint on the establishment, with his spectral presence becoming intertwined with the very fabric of the building.

As tales of Rudy and the inexplicable occurrences spread, an exorcism was considered. In 1979, a priest, acquainted with one of the owners, was brought in to assess the situation. While he decided against performing an exorcism, he conducted a blessing of the property. Following this, reports of Rudy and other paranormal activities diminished, suggesting that the blessing may have brought some peace to the troubled spirit. 

The Lake Club's physical presence was erased by a devastating fire in 1992. Today, the site stands as a testament to the passage of time, leaving no trace of the once-bustling club or its spectral resident Rudy, whose tale continues to captivate those intrigued by Chicago’s haunted past.