Part of Our Route 66 Everytown Collection - Chi-Town Edition
Claiming the darkest superlative on the Mother Road, this tee recognizes the Windy City as the Homicide Capital of Route 66.
With historic gangland violence resulting in over 500 homicides annually, Chicago's story is inseparable from both the glamour and grit of Route 66's past. This tee is for those who appreciate the complex, unfiltered reality of the road, beyond the neon signs.
Crafted from ultra-soft, 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, this unisex jersey tee combines laidback comfort with timeless style. Whether you're cruising the highway, reflecting on the days when Al Capone ran a tight ship in Chi-Town or simply collecting each stop in our exclusive Route 66 Everytown Collection, this tee adds an edge to your journey.
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About Chicago, Illinois: The Gritty Start to the Mother Road
Chicago, Illinois is the infamous and legendary starting point of Route 66: a city whose history is as raw and real as the highway itself. Founded in 1833, Chicago grew into a booming industrial hub and quickly earned a reputation for both opportunity and danger.
In the Roaring Twenties, the City became ground zero for organized crime, with notorious gangsters like Al Capone running bootlegging empires and turning Cicero and Chicago's South Side into their strongholds. Machine gun fire, speakeasies and turf wars were as much part of the landscape as the soaring skyline.
That hard-edged legacy didn't fade with time. Chicago has continued to wrestle with violence and crime well into the modern era, earning it the moniker of "Homicide Capital of USA" in headlines across the decades.
Since 2020, Chicago has averaged over 500 homicides annually (average is based on Chicago's homicide rate from 2020-2024). Yet this is also a city that refuses to be defined by its scars. The same streets that witnessed gangland wars now carry travelers to the the "Begin Route 66" sign at Grant Park, the ceremonial gateway where millions of journeys west have begun. Route 66 adventurers can still feel this tension in the air: the mix of grit and resilience that makes Chicago both minacious and unforgettable.
A photo at the sign near the Art Institute of Chicago connects travelers to history, while a stop at Lou Mitchell's Restaurant offers wanderers the chance to fuel up at the same location that generations of roadtrippers and locals alike have gathered since 1923. Chicago is a City of contrasts: dark yet dazzling and dangerous yet magnetic. It is the perfect place to start a journey that's as much about discovering America's shadows as it is about chasing its dreams.
Product Features:
- 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton for premium softness
- Side seams for added structure and durability
- Tear-away label for comfort
- Classic crew neckline with a flattering unisex fit - true-to-size for all day comfort (see size chart for details)
- Fulfilled in the USA
Care Instructions:
- Machine wash: cold (max 90°F / 30°C)
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Non-chlorine bleach as needed
- Iron or steam: medium heat
- Do not dry clean
