Neon sign and South Kedzie Avenue entrances. The Jakter Hotel at West 47th Street and South Kedzie Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA, Febuary 1983.

I took this photo during the demolition of the old Jakter Hotel in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood. The Jakter Hotel, was a classic example of "Old school urban blight" here in the city of Chicago. The Jakter hotel was one of the last of the "Skid Row" types of transient hotels that were still standing. I heard storys from some of the local area residents, about the hotel having a reputation for Prostitutes, Drunks, Vagrants, Criminals, and drug activity.
It was a seedy environment, and not a good place to raise children around. I never saw prostitutes hanging around during the last years it was around, but I do recall seeing several -Panhandlers, Wine-o's, Druggies, and people of questionable character outside the premises at the CTA Route # 52 Kedzie /California Avenue bus stop often.

The place was being demolished when I had taken this photograph in Febuary of 1983, and the site was soon redeveloped into a strip mall with a Dunkin Donuts franchise, a workout gym, and several little stores.