History in Greater Grand Crossing

Al Capone was one of the most notorious gangsters in U.S. history.  He and his henchmen made their money primarily by bootlegging and operating casinos and speakeasies in the "Roaring Twenties."  He was on Chicago's first "most wanted" list and became the face of American gangster violence. 

Al Capone and his family lived in a two-story red brick duplex at 7244 South Prairie Avenue in Chicago from 1923 (just after he moved to Chicago) to 1931, when he was imprisoned for tax fraud.  He purchased the home for $5,500.  According to a November 19, 1989 New York Times article:

"The house, privately owned, was the object of a recent controversy, when historians sought to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places, arguing that despite his notoriety, Capone was one of Chicago's most famous citizens. Local politicians and members of Italian-American groups sharply opposed the proposal, on the grounds it would appear to convey honor to a killer and hoodlum. As a result, the proposal was withdrawn.

The Capone family kept the home until 1952, when Capone's mother died and it was sold. Notice the bars on the basement windows, installed by Capone as a security measure, and the brick garage out back, which the gangster built for his bullet-proof Cadillac limousine."

Simeon Career Academy (officially known as Neal F. Simeon Career Academy) is a four-year public high school that was founded in 1949 at 8147 South Vincennes Avenue.  Its most notable alumnus is Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, who led the school to back-to-back state basketball championships in 2006 and 2007.  The school was also attended by Benji Wilson, who led Simeon to a state basketball championship in 1984 and was widely recognized as the top high school player in the nation until the evening before his senior season opener when he was killed in gang violence.  Other notable alumni include Nick Anderson (of the Orlando Magic), Bobby Simmons (now playing for the San Antonio Spurs), and Wes Chamberlain (who played for the Philadelphia Phillies).