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Chicago, Illinois: Salt Stain Mary

First spotted on April 10, 2005, a Mary-like stain made of dripping road salt on an underpass in metro Chicago. Vandalized, then completely painted over, then cleaned of paint and restored. Known to the faithful as "Our Lady of the Underpass."

Address:
Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL
Directions:
Fullerton Ave., underneath the I-90/Kennedy Expy. The stain is under the northeast side of the bridge. Floral offerings and candles may be visible.
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Visitor Tips and News About Salt Stain Mary

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Salt Stain Mary

I respect everyone's beliefs, but the fact is that no one knows what the real Mary looked like. So decide for yourself if this is somehow the Mary of Nazareth from 2,000 years ago. In regard to the vandalism, we live in a fallen world, with a lot of hateful, intolerant people.

[John Sutter, 04/21/2020]

Salt Stain Mary first appeared on a highway underpass 15 years ago. At various times she has been vandalized and even completely painted over, but her fans make sure that she always comes back.

Salt Stain Virgin Mary.

Salt Stain Virgin Mary

The shrine is still there, across the accident investigation driveway from where many people without homes lay their heads at night.

[Sam K, 08/08/2019]

Salt Stain Virgin Mary shrine.

Salt Stain Virgin Mary

There is still a shrine and active vigil, but the Salt Stain Virgin Mary was vandalized with black spray paint.

[Caitlin Cordova, 04/24/2019]

Image of the Virgin Mary in a salt stain.

Salt Stain Virgin Mary

When it first appeared and the throngs were visiting, we happened to be on an oddities tour, and were lucky enough to see it before any of the controversy.

[Joe Desiderio, 02/23/2006]

Feb. 2006: Amanda reports that Salt Stain Mary has been painted over after a vandal painted a Nazi swastika over it.

Miraculous Salt Stain Virgin Mary Is Back

The Virgin Mary apparation under an expressway in Chicago, recently defaced and painted over, has been cleaned and is again visible. Miracle sightings fans and devout believers were dismayed last week when a man wrote "Big Lie" in shoe polish across the salt stain visage of Mary, and the DOT painted over the whole image....

[05/09/2005] Complete News Story


Nearby Offbeat Places

Robin Williams MuralRobin Williams Mural, Chicago, IL - < 1 mi.
Front Yard ArtilleryFront Yard Artillery, Chicago, IL - 1 mi.
Time Traveling Coffee ShopTime Traveling Coffee Shop, Chicago, IL - 1 mi.
In the region:
World's Largest Religious Wood Carving, Darien, IL - 20 mi.

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