A Historic Discovery at Chicago’s Thornton Distillery
In a remarkable discovery that echoes back to the Prohibition era, workers at Chicago’s Thornton Distillery Company recently unearthed a piece of American criminal history hidden within the walls of what may have once been one of Al Capone’s speakeasies. Andrew Howell, founder of the Dead Drops Spirit restaurant located within the distillery, reported finding a fully loaded 1908 Colt pistol with its holster tucked away in a concealed duct in the building’s underground catacombs. The chrome-plated weapon, characteristic of the firearms favored by Capone and his associates during their reign over Chicago’s underworld, has sparked renewed interest in the distillery’s colorful past and its potential connections to one of America’s most notorious crime bosses. This discovery not only represents a tangible link to a transformative period in American history but also validates long-standing local legends about the distillery’s clandestine operations during the 1920s when alcohol production and consumption were prohibited by federal law.
The Thornton Distillery Company stands as Illinois’ oldest surviving former brewery, a distinction that speaks to its historical significance and endurance through different eras of American society. According to Ari Klafter, the head distiller, rumors and tales about Capone’s activities at the location have circulated for years among staff and locals, though many were viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism due to limited historical documentation. “We always heard stories and lore about the underground catacomb being where Capone would take people,” Klafter explained to WGN news, acknowledging that these accounts were often taken “with a little grain of salt” due to the challenges of verifying such oral histories. The discovery of this period-authentic weapon, however, has breathed “new life into some of those stories” that have persisted through generations, providing compelling physical evidence that the brewery may indeed have played a role in Capone’s extensive criminal enterprise during Prohibition.
The finding comes with its own air of mystery that enhances its historical intrigue. The pistol was discovered not merely discarded but deliberately hidden within the building’s structure, suggesting it may have been concealed during a moment of crisis or as a precautionary measure by someone who never returned to claim it. Found fully loaded, the weapon appears to have been ready for use when it was hidden away, perhaps telling a silent story of the violence and tension that characterized the bootlegging operations of the Prohibition era. After the discovery, Howell and his team responsibly reported their find to local authorities, who confirmed the weapon was not connected to any crimes in their databases. With the pistol cleared and returned to the distillery, Howell now plans to have it properly restored to its original condition, preserving this unexpected artifact of Chicago’s infamous gangster era.
The catacombs where the gun was discovered currently serve as the distillery’s “Artisan Well,” a popular spot for visitors seeking to connect with the building’s rich history. This underground area, with its shadowy passages and stone architecture, evokes the secretive atmosphere of Prohibition-era speakeasies that operated in defiance of the 18th Amendment. The pistol discovery adds a layer of authenticity to this experience, transforming what might have been dismissed as embellished local folklore into tangible history. For visitors to the distillery, the knowledge that they stand where Capone and his associates once conducted their illicit business creates a powerful connection to a defining chapter in American cultural history—a time when the government’s attempt to legislate morality gave rise to organized crime on an unprecedented scale and forever changed the relationship between citizens and the law.
This unexpected archaeological find at Thornton Distillery illuminates the complex legacy of Prohibition in American society. The 1920s ban on alcohol production, sale, and consumption was intended as a progressive reform to address genuine social problems associated with excessive drinking, but instead created a thriving black market controlled by criminal enterprises. Al Capone, perhaps the era’s most iconic gangster, built an empire worth an estimated $100 million (equivalent to over $1.5 billion today) largely through bootlegging operations. Speakeasies like the one potentially operated at what is now Thornton Distillery became not just places to illegally consume alcohol but cultural institutions that shaped American music, fashion, and social norms. The hidden pistol serves as a reminder of the violence that often accompanied these operations, with territorial disputes between rival gangs frequently resolved through gunfire on Chicago’s streets.
As Howell works to restore the pistol for display alongside other historical collectibles at the Thornton Distillery, this artifact stands to become more than just a curiosity—it represents a tangible connection to a transformative period in American history. The gun’s discovery highlights how historical narratives often lie hidden in the physical spaces around us, waiting to be uncovered and reexamined. For the Thornton Distillery, which has evolved from a potential criminal enterprise to a legitimate business celebrating the craft of distillation, the pistol embodies both its complicated past and its transformation over time. Visitors who come to sample spirits at this historic location can now appreciate a deeper understanding of the building’s place in the complex tapestry of American history—where the line between outlaw and entrepreneur was often blurred, and where today’s respected cultural institutions sometimes have unexpected origins in America’s shadowy past. This hidden Colt pistol, silently preserved for nearly a century, speaks volumes about a tumultuous time when Americans grappled with questions of law, liberty, and cultural identity that continue to resonate today.
