Chicago has a past steeped in crime, power, and intrigue. Some of the city’s most infamous figures are still here, buried in famous Chicago cemeteries. These sites tell the story of Chicago’s darker side from Al Capone’s quiet grave in the suburbs to Big Jim Colosimo’s mausoleum on Chicago’s South Side. Pay respects and visit the famous graves in Chicago and beyond. Gangster graves offer a unique glimpse into the final resting place of these famous Chicago gangsters. A visit to famous Chicago cemeteries offers an opportunity to walk a solemn step into history, one headstone at a time.
Mt. Olivet: The First Resting Place of Chicago’s Most Notorious Mobster
Mt. Olivet is one of many famous Chicago cemeteries that was once the resting place for Al Capone, his brother Frank, and his father, Gabriel. Located in the Morgan Park neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side, this famous Chicago cemetery is managed by the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Cemeteries. Cemetery hours of operation are listed on the website.
Al Capone’s Grave
The tall polished black granite original headstone for Al Capone still stands tall at the southern end of the cemetery, about 20 feet east of the road. The cemetery is open to those who would like to pay their respects.
Over the years, this beautiful monument to Chicago’s most notorious gangster has been looted and the images that once adorned its beautiful face have been vandalized.
Mt. Olivet Cemetery was the resting home for the Capone family until Teresa, Al Capone’s mother, passed in 1952. The Capone family now has an entire section at Mount Carmel Cemetery in the beautiful suburb of Hillside. Learn more about this famous Chicago grave on the “Where Is Al Capone Buried?” blog.
Mount Carmel Cemetery: The Final Resting Place of Chicago’s Most Notorious Mobster
Mount Carmel Cemetery is located in Hillside, IL. This meticulously maintained and extensive property is the elite location of many Chicago gangsters’ graves. Office hours and rules of best practices, as well as helpful maps, are located on the Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery website. Many of Chicago’s gangsters are buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery.
Al Capone’s Grave
The Capone family plot has a tall pale gray stone monument with a large modern cross at the top; grape vines carved into the center panel and “CAPONE” in all caps near the bottom. Two large, manicured bushes accompany the Capone monument, making this section easy to find upon entry to the cemetery.
Several generations of the Capone family are buried in this generous plot. There are several grave markers for newer generations beside Al and his large immediate family. Al Capone had 7 brothers and sisters. Visitors pay their respects to the Chicago gangster with flags, coins, cigars, or flowers.
Dean O’Banion’s Grave
Capone’s North Side rival is also buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery, not far from Al Capone’s grave. They were rivals in life, but they were buried as equals.
The tall white stone obelisk has a simple cross near the bottom and overshadows the simple grave marker of Dean O’Banion, which simply reads, “DEAN C O’BANION 1892-1924.”
Frank Nitti’s Grave
Known as Capone’s enforcer, Frank Nitti was laid to rest at Mount Carmel Cemetery mere steps away from his former boss Al Capone. The Nitto family plot marker is a solemn pale gray, adorned with a tall cross surrounded by floral and other beautiful embellishments above the word “NITTO” in all caps. The three-tiered centerpiece of the above the name has two equal sections on the sides, almost like a bench, that has a small inscription that reads, “THERE IS NO LIFE EXCEPT BY DEATH,” on the left side; on the right side, the inscription reads, “THERE IS NO VISION BUT BY FAITH.”
Three graves lie beneath the Nitto family plot: Anette Caravetta Nitto (Frank’s second wife), Frank Nitto, and Anna Theresa Nitto (Frank’s first wife). Visitors honor Frank’s memory with flowers, candies, and cigars laid at this gravesite.
More Famous Graves in Chicago: Oak Woods Cemetery
Oak Woods Cemetery is in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. This famous Chicago cemetery is managed by Dignity Memorial. Use the website to best plan a visit to a gangster grave, historic monument, politician or even local legend. This multicultural and beautifully appointed cemetery has many wonders to explore.
Big Jim Colosimo’s Grave:
Find James Colosimo’s mausoleum nestled in the center of the famous Oak Woods Cemetery beneath the shade of a towering maple tree. The crumbling monument is the resting place for Diamond Jim, the first leader of the South Side gang who preceded Al Capone and Capone’s predecessor Johnny Torrio.
Pay your respects and peer inside the fogging windows of the green copper doors to view an inscription on the crypt, “JAMES COLOSIMO 1877-1919 REST IN PEACE”.
Big Bill Thompson’s grave:
William Hale Thompson was Chicago’s 41st and 43rd mayor. Thompson’s term during Prohibition sealed his fate as mayor with the running slogan, “Wetter than the Atlantic Ocean.” Thompson was opposed to Prohibition, which helped the election and organized crime.
Thompson’s massive obelisk towers over the still waters of a nearby reflecting pond. William Hale Thompson is buried beside his wife, Mary Wyse Thompson. They had no children and were laid to rest on a sunny hill that overlooks the cemetery and idyllic pond.
Beyond Chicago: Gangster Graves Across the Country
Green-Wood Cemetery is located in Brooklyn, NY. Pass through the towering Gothic entrance and take a left over some hills through the sprawling eternal resting place for New Yorkers including Chicago gangster’s grave, Johnny Torrio.
Johnny Torrio
After his brush with death, Johnny Torrio stepped down to allow Al Capone to head the South Side gang. Johnny Torrio lived the rest of his life in retirement in NYC with his family.
The John Torrio family mausoleum is topped by a winged angel and a Greek key design across the top. The stained-glass windows depict a colorful representation of a Pope or Cardinal. The vault holds many Torrio family members from Chicago and beyond, including a beloved wife as well as several others.
Other Famous Chicago Cemeteries and Graves
Graceland Cemetery is a historic cemetery and certified arboretum nestled between Buena Park and Graceland West, all within the greater Uptown neighborhood. Graceland Cemetery is home to many famous graves in Chicago.
- Head to the main office off Clark St. to view the historic collection on display, pick up a map of the cemetery, and get ready to pay your respects.
- Marshall Field, Daniel Burnham, and Potter Palmer are just a few of the famous Chicago graves located at Graceland Cemetery.
Rosehill Cemetery is managed by Dignity Memorial, a multicultural and historic cemetery located in the North Ravenswood neighborhood. This picturesque cemetery is the final resting place of many historic figures and famous Chicago graves.
- Head inside the main office and pick up a paper map of a self-guided Rosehill Cemetery Civil War walking tour. There are several memorials and statues throughout the grounds of this famous Chicago cemetery.
- Some notable and famous Chicago graves are Aaron Montgomery Ward (founder of Sears and Montgomery Ward), Charles G. Dawes (Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize winner), as well as many veterans and public officials, including mayors and governors.
Contrast these burial sites with the darker history of Mount Carmel and others.
Chicago’s historic cemeteries tell stories of power, crime, and a multicultural legacy carved in stone. Whether you’re on a Chicago Crime Tour or Night Crimes Tour to visit historic crime scenes of Al Capone and the South Side gang or admiring the artistry of each monument that embodies Graceland’s artistry, they are great ways to take a deeper look at the people who shaped the Windy City’s history, both its dark side and its light.
