Edwin's Roadhouse aka Miami Gardens

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Our Story

In the Summer of 1928, during the Prohibition Era, a Brewmaster by the name of Henry August Baumann purchased approximately 2 ½ acres just one mile South of Peotone, Illinois, and with frontage on Illinois Route 49, known as Governor’s Highway. Henry having known the likes of Al Capone from his earlier days in Chicago, found it quite easy to get financed by the Outfit during the Great Depression, and built a magnificent 2-story roadhouse that included a private bath and shower for Capone. Three buildings were built on the property; the sugarhouse for alcohol, the servant’s quarters and the main building called Miami Gardens and which was adorned with a fancy clock that used the letters in its name as hours. Miami Gardens was elegant and contained ornate metal ceilings, hardwood floors, a dance hall with private booths, a full kitchen, a private suite upstairs and 11 adjacent smaller rooms for lodging & b***y house and a concealed brass bar that is rumored to be buried out back with other evidence from those times. Henry was assisted from the beginning by his sister Betty Baumann who was the chef and who later married the first bartender, Erwin (Irv) Nesvacil; and together they operated both during and after prohibition until Henry died in 1939. During that time Miami Gardens catered to such well known Outfit celebs such as Capone, Nitti, Roberto and famous outlaw John Dillinger. After Henry's death, Irv and Betty carried on the business until 1971 when the property was sold. Today Edwin's Roadhouse a.k.a Miami Gardens serves hundreds of thirsty customers. Gangster Hall contains many old photographs and miniature Tommy guns and there are many original artifacts including the first cash register from NCR, wall mirrors, ornate metal ceilings, wooden floors and more. This is where Al Capone used to dine and entertain. Inside the bar you will find a friendly crowd and a pool room with billiard table and legal gaming machines. You can watch sports on TV or enjoy pleasant conversations with your friends.