The History of the Great Escape Restaurant Building, Schiller Park, Illinois.

The original Great Escape, Fred Kolze's Store.

The Great Escape Restaurant is at 9540 West Irving Park Road, Schiller Park, IL. The Bar and Banquet Room is still part of the original structure built in 1889. The bar is original and was hand-carved by the Chicago Bar Company. 

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• Schiller Park, Illinois, was known as Fairview in 1889. 
• The name was later changed to Kolze in 1914. 
• Finally, the name was changed to Schiller Park in 1926. 

The original 1889 Saloon was named the Iron Horse Saloon. The building was originally at street level, with swinging doors leading out onto a dirt road with hitching posts for horses (Irving Park Road). 

The silent movie cowboy Tom Mix made a few of his movies here around 1900. They would use the Des Plaines River as the Rio Grande and the restaurant's bar for saloon scenes. 

In the 1920s, Al Capone sold the Iron Horse Saloon booze and was spotted at the bar doing business with local gangsters. Witnesses say there were men seated on either side of Capone with shotguns watching the door. 

Before its current use, the banquet room was home to a general store, milk depot, post office, gas station, barber shop, pool hall, and restaurant.

It quickly became a watering hole for weary travelers and locals seeking respite from the rigors of daily life. The saloon's rough-hewn wooden bar, bathed in the warm glow of gas lamps, witnessed countless stories unfold, from the boisterous laughter of railroad workers to the hushed conversations of businessmen striking deals.

As the years turned into decades, the Iron Horse Saloon remained steadfast. It weathered the storms of economic downturns, Prohibition, and the ever-changing tides of popular culture. But it wasn't until the mid-20th century that the establishment underwent a transformation that would solidify its place in local lore.

In 1958, Al and Marie Great, a couple passionate about good food and warm hospitality, purchased the Iron Horse Saloon and renamed it the Drift Inn. They introduced a menu featuring their signature baby back ribs and broasted chicken, which quickly became local favorites. The Drift Inn thrived under their stewardship, becoming a beloved gathering place for families and friends.

However, all good things must end, and in 1981, Al and Marie decided to retire, selling the Drift Inn and bidding farewell to the restaurant business. For years, the establishment changed hands, its name and identity shifting with each new owner. But the spirit of the Greats' culinary legacy lingered, a ghost from the past waiting to be reawakened.

In the early 2000s, the Great family, inspired by the fond memories of their parents' restaurant, decided to revive the Drift Inn's legacy. They renamed it the Great Escape, a nod to their family name and the feeling of escape that good food and company can provide. The Great Escape quickly gained a reputation for its delicious food, warm ambiance, and commitment to preserving the building's rich history.

But the Great Escape is more than just a restaurant; it's a portal to the past, a place where the spirits of those who came before still roam. Many patrons and staff have reported strange occurrences, from unexplained noises and flickering lights to being watched by unseen eyes. Some say the ghost of Al Great still haunts the kitchen, ensuring that his signature recipes are perfectly prepared. Others claim to have seen the spectral figure of a woman in a long dress wandering through the dining room, her footsteps echoing through the centuries.

Whether these stories are true or simply the product of overactive imaginations, they add to the Great Escape's allure, drawing in those who seek a delicious meal and a glimpse into the supernatural. In this historic establishment, the line between the past and present blurs, and the spirits of those who came before still have a story to tell.

As for the haunting stories, The Great Escape has had multiple Paranormal Detectives explore the property, and there have been multiple reported cases of paranormal activity. 

One of the most chilling stories is that of a former bartender who swore he saw the apparition of a man sitting at the bar, his face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat. The bartender approached the figure, offering him a drink, but the man simply vanished into thin air, leaving behind an icy chill and the faint scent of cigar smoke.

The Great Escape is more than just a restaurant; it's a portal to the past, a place where the spirits of those who came before still roam. Many patrons and staff have reported strange occurrences, from unexplained noises and flickering lights to being watched by unseen eyes. Some say the ghost of Al Great still haunts the kitchen, ensuring that his signature recipes are perfectly prepared. Others claim to have seen the spectral figure of a woman in a long dress wandering through the dining room, her footsteps echoing through the centuries.

One of the most chilling stories is that of a former bartender who swore he saw the apparition of a man sitting at the bar, his face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat. The bartender approached the figure, offering him a drink, but the man simply vanished into thin air, leaving behind an icy chill and the faint scent of cigar smoke.

Whether these stories are true or simply the product of overactive imaginations, they add to the Great Escape's allure, drawing in those who seek a delicious meal and perhaps a glimpse into the supernatural. In this historic establishment, the line between the past and present blurs, and the spirits of those who came before still have a story to tell.

Some of these stories include:

• Team members have reported seeing a man in a black suit carrying a clipboard walking into a closet and disappearing.

• The feeling that someone is standing right next to you.

• Walking through an icy spot in a dark hallway.

• The sounds of 1920s music from the basement after hours.

• An antique radio plays without being touched, and upon investigation, it was determined that no wires were hooked up to it, and the old tubes inside were burned out.

In summary, the Great Escape Restaurant has a rich history dating back to 1889, with various uses over the years. The Great Family revived the current restaurant in 1992 and has been preserving the property ever since. The restaurant is known for paranormal activity, with multiple reported ghost sightings and unexplained events.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.