Most Smokey Row businesses had rented property in the downtown area of Lemont that was owned by early pioneer settlers. Many of these people were churchgoers, important and well respected in the community. Unhappy due to pressures put on them after the strip was raided in 1895, more and more owners refused to renew the rentals, and the demise of Smokey Row establishments followed. Within six months after the battle between Reverend Clancy and Mayor McCarthy only twenty-five saloons remained.
Smokey Row gradually closed down, not solely because of Reverend Clancy’s battle against the sin strip and the subsequent raid, but because the portion of the canal that ran through Lemont was finished. By early 1897 over 3,500 people had left the area, most of them the single men who worked on the canal and patronized Smokey Row.
Lemont’s last brothel closed in 1906. Pete Kane, a popular local policeman, grew tired of raiding the place up to three times a week. He arranged for resettlement of the “girls” to Chicago, personally renting a place for them, arranging for their protection, then renting a wagon to pick them up along with their possessions and driving them to their new home.
Lemont even had a claim to the soft drink industry, and as early as the 1870s Wold’s Beverages ran a bottling company that primarily bottled soft drinks. During the Prohibition Era, Ralph Capone (the brother of Al) ran a bottling company in Lemont, according to his niece. Whether or not Ralph was affiliated with Wold’s is anecdotal rather than documented. We do know, however, that Al Capone was an avid golfer who played some of Lemont’s courses, where he would meet his brother and do a little business after his game.
Lemont today retains its friendly, small-town flavor. It continues to have a large number of popular drinking establishments, some of which are located in the same buildings as in the days of Smokey Row. You can still stop in at one of the neighborhood taverns where social life still takes place, such as Nick’s Tavern, Main Inn, or Tom’s place. There are also many restaurant bars in and around town, especially in the downtown area where Smokey Row once thrived, but also in strip malls (no pun intended) throughout town. In more recent years Lemont has added a brewery, distillery, and wine and cocktail bars.
Two businesses in town retain the name of Smokey Row: The Inn at Smokey Row, and Smokey Row Antiques, at 112 Stephen Street in downtown Lemont. The Old Stone Church, the Methodist church once led by Reverend Clancy, is now the home of the Lemont Area Historical Society.
Interested in Smokey Row? Read more about it in my latest novel: Last Call at Smokey Row!
Jane walked into Sami’s Saloon, like many other lonely people, looking for answers to life’s challenges, seeking noise to alleviate her loneliness. She stumbled into a quirky world of characters, some flawed, some humorous, some embracing friendship, some downright oddballs or even dangerous.
Where you can find me
Next Saturday, December 6, I will be at Lemont’s Hometown Holidays, doing a book signing at Smokey Row Antiques, 112 Stephen Street. from 2 pm to 5 pm. All my books will be available for purchase and signing.
Remember the readers on your Christmas list. Autographed books make great gifts!
All my books are available at Amazon in paperback and Kindle. You can also purchase paperbacks at Smokey Row Antiques, 112 Stephen Street, in Lemont.
Here’s wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season!
