The First US Serial Killer, a Murder Castle, and a Post Office

While this is not about a specific stamp, this is a topic that might interest stamp collectors. Those that collect World’s Fair stamps or are interested in the post office might find this story interesting.

H.H. Holmes is considered to be the first known serial killer in the United States. He was born Herman Webster Mudgett in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, in 1861. He was a gifted student and attended medical school at the University of Michigan, but he was expelled for stealing cadavers.

After leaving medical school, Holmes traveled around the country, working as a doctor, pharmacist, and businessman. He was also a con artist and a thief.

In 1888, he moved to Chicago and built a three-story hotel, which he called the "Murder Castle." The hotel was designed with secret passages, trapdoors, and rooms that could be locked from the outside. The "Murder Castle," was located in the Englewood neighborhood, a few miles west of the fairgrounds.

The World's Fair was a perfect place for Holmes to operate. The crowds and the chaos provided him with the perfect cover, and he was able to lure and murder his victims with impunity. The hotel was designed with secret passages, trapdoors, and rooms that could be locked from the outside. Holmes lured his victims to the hotel, often by posing as a doctor or a businessman. He would then murder them and dispose of their bodies in a variety of ways, including burning them, dissecting them, or burying them in the basement.

The exact number of Holmes's victims is unknown, but it is estimated to be between 20 and 200. He was eventually caught and convicted of the murders of Benjamin Pitezel and his three children. He was hanged in 1896.

The Murder Castle was demolished in 1938, and a post office was built on the site in 1939. The post office is still standing today, and it is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Holmes's victims.

There are a few different theories about why the post office was built on the site of the Murder Castle. One theory is that the city wanted to erase the memory of Holmes and his crimes. Another theory is that the city wanted to take advantage of the location, which was close to the World's Fairgrounds.

Whatever the reason, the post office is now a reminder of one of the most infamous serial killers in American history. It is also a reminder of the dark side of human nature.

Here are some additional facts about the Murder Castle and the post office:

• The post office is located at 611 W. 63rd Street in Chicago.
• The post office is a modest, yellow brick building.
• There are rumors that the basement of the post office is haunted by the ghosts of Holmes's victims.
• The post office is still in operation today.

The Murder Castle and the post office are both important parts of Chicago's history. They are a reminder of the city's dark past, but they are also a reminder of the city's resilience. The post office stands on the site of one of the most horrific crimes in American history, but it is also a place where people can go to send and receive mail. It is a symbol of hope and renewal in the face of tragedy.

References:
https://www.history.com/topics/crime/murder-castle
https://harpers.org/archive/1943/12/the-master-of-the-murder-castle/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-hauntings-h-h-holmes-murder-castle-post-office/