There are over 200,000 interments in this 214 acre cemetery and it is particularly notable for holding the remains of notorious gangsters. Our first find was Al Capone, who is buried here with his parents, 6 of his 8 siblings, and a nephew.
Each stone is engraved with "My Jesus Mercy" 😕
One of Capone's associates, Tony Lombardo, was shot and killed on a downtown Chicago street in 1928.
Frank Nitti (born Nitto) was another trusted Capone associate and he is buried here with both of his wives, Anna (1902-1940) and Annette (1901-1981, married in 1942. Frank committed suicide in 1943 rather than go back to prison.
Sam Giancana (1908-1975) was the head of the Chicago Outfit from 1957-1966 (imprisoned). After serving one year, he moved to Mexico but was deported to the U.S. in 1974. He was murdered in his Oak Park home in 1975.
Two bitter rivals of Capone rest nearby. Dean O'Banion (1892-1924) killed by the Chicago Outfit, and Earl "Hymie" Weiss (1898-1926), murdered on a Chicago street.
But there is much more to this cemetery than famous gangsters. The Bishop's Mausoleum was completed in 1912 and it holds the remains of renowned Chicago bishops. Archangel Gabriel stands on top.
St. Francis section.
Mother Cabrini Shrine
Onofrio Taglia (1890-1919) died from the Spanish flu while at his army post in Houston, Texas.
Rev. Vincent Cloos (1903-1985) and his brother Rev. Gregory Michael Cloos (1899-1973) share this mausoleum along with other family members.
In a cemetery dominated by Italian names the Irish names stand out, as did this column. The Clan-Na-Gael was an Irish Republican organization that worked for Irish independence and supported the IRA. An Irish brigade went to South Africa to help fight the British and those that died there are commemorated here.
Marco DiVito (1887-1968) and his wife, Guila (1888-1924) have a two headed gravestone.
Dennis Farina has a very humble gravesite with a sweet message.
I've saved the most unique tombstone for last. This one actually swivels but it's really heavy so take some friends. The DiSalvos, Angelo (1869-1932) and Rosina (1872-1927) had four daughters (one stillborn) and one son. The stillborn daughter is shown as being buried here with her parents as per findagrave. So who are these figures intricately carved here? No one knows for sure but it looks like a mother with her children. You be the judge.
Enter the cemetery from Roosevelt Road or Harrison Street. The Harrison Street sign claims the cemetery was consecrated in 1900.
The Roosevelt Road sign states it was consecrated in 1901. Either way, visit this fascinating cemetery just a short drive from downtown Chicago.
