Before the turn of the century, it was not unheard of for family members to disappear seemingly without a trace. With limited transportation and communications options, travelers who decided to go on vacation and stay in their new town might not be heard from for years.
That's why nobody suspected anything when visitors to Chicago's 1893 World's Fair disappeared. It was assumed that they just found a new home in Chicago and would eventually turn up again; newly married or established in an exciting career. That was true for most people, though not for those who wandered into HH Holmes' Murder Castle.
HH Holmes was a sketchy businessman who built a perplexing 'castle' an easy walk away from the fabulous World's Fair. The building featured a drug store on the ground level and a bustling hotel above. HH Holmes found many tourists who were willing to pay top dollar for his conveniently located hotel rooms. Sadly, many of those people would never check out.
Holmes took advantage of the transient nature of the fair to hook his victims. His total murder count is believed to be as many as 200, though only 9 were verified. The victim count is sketchy because the Murder Castle had its own crematorium. Holmes was able to skate under the radar because he designed the castle himself and brought in numerous contractors who never saw the complete plans. Holmes would limit them to just working on their one task.
After Holmes was arrested, the city descended on his Murder Castle to get a look inside. After the building was secured, the mortgagor repossessed it and sought to turn it into a macabre tourist attraction. Unfortunately for him, the castle was destroyed by a mysterious fire, its secrets forever hidden in mystery.
