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April 19, 2005
Our Lady of the Underpass
As promised, I went to check out the hullabaloo surrounding the image of Mary that appeared in the wall of the Kennedy Expressway underpass. I hopped on my trusty bicycle and began peddling to the site. As I got there, I received a sign from God Himself: a flat tire on my bike. I soldiered on though, eventually getting the tire fixed a few hours later.
I took some pictures of the miracle. Personally, I don't see it. There were people praying, touching the image and weeping. If anything, it was an amazing bit of culture that I don't often see.
Finally, on my way home, I saw a plaque on the Windy City Tennis Club. It had a ghastly horse's head above it, with the most interesting story:
THIS TERRA COTTA HORSE'S HEAD, ONCE
PART OF THE ARCH OVER THE ENTRANCE TO
THE BONEWOOD DAIRY WHICH ORIGINALLY
STOOD ON THIS SITE, IS ALLEGED TO HAVE
BEEN THE GOOD LUCK CHARM THAT SPARED
THE BUILDING DURING THE CHICAGO FIRE
OF 1871.
ALL SUBSEQUENT STRUCTURES LOCATED
ON THIS SITE HAVE RETAINED THE HORSE'S
HEAD, NOW WELL OVER A CENTURY OLD.
entry no. 80
Posted at April 19, 2005 07:58 PM
Comments
Kudos to all the history-minded landlords of that parcel of property. The horsehead could have easily been demolished into a pile of amnesial dust.
Posted by: Pete at April 20, 2005 08:47 AM
THAT IS A CROCK OF SHIT! I'M RELIGIOUS BUT THAT IS NOT THE VIRGIN MARY! AFTER A PIECE OF CONCRETE CRACKED, WATER SEEPED THROUGH AND PAINTED "THE MIRALE." Little do the fuckers know that it's a natural building occurrence. DUMB ASSES!
Posted by: Stat Boy at April 21, 2005 11:45 AM
i was just at the tennis club last night and saw that terra cotta piece for the first time. Glad someone took note here on the internet. thanks
Posted by: davesnite at August 15, 2008 06:13 AM