There was an article in the September-December News Letter "Hometown Heritage" of the Fox Lake-Grant Township Historical Society, about the old Manning Hotel. At one time, it was one of many hotels and resorts on the Chain of Lakes catering to folks from Chicago who would take trains out to the community to swim, boat, have a good time, gamble, and drink.
Drinking drew the attention of Chicago mobsters, who vied to sell the booze and control the gambling. Al Capone was known to spend time at the Mineola Hotel which still stands on the west shore of Fox Lake. I read that his hat is still on display there.
A picture accompanied the article, which said the Manning Hotel still stands today, although now a private residence next to the K. K. Hamsher Funeral Home. Today, it is owned by Bob and Judy Jensen, who bought the place from Hazel Schoenberger 25 years ago. She bought it from Jim Manning, for whom the hotel was named.
A shootout occurred at the Manning Hotel May 31, 1930 in which three died and two were wounded.
Bang, Bang, You're Dead. --Cooter
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