Al Capone’s Tunnels

In my short tenure as the chair of the preservation committee, I have been asked a few times if I know anything about Al Capone and his ties here. Where did he live, visit? Did he build tunnels? If so, where?

Honestly, I don’t know. There are sooo many more things I, personally, care more about in this city. But, history is history….so here is a bit on the existence of tunnels.

A quick search of the internet brought up places where it is said Capone used tunnels for escape and bootlegging purposes. One as close as Thornton, others in Burlington WI, and Canada. A May 2005 Star article talks about how Chicago Heights not only served as a refuge for Capone, but was where many of his liquor stills were located.

When first posed with the question of tunnels I asked past Chicago Heights historian, Barbara Paul‘s husband. Since her passing, he, and the books she and Dominic Candoloro wrote, are my link to all that she knew – and that was a lot. He told me that she never knew of any and didn’t believe they existed.

Now, that is a tough pill for a lot of people to swallow, I am sure. But the nature of these things, secret tunnels, well, are secret. The stuff of “if I told you, I’d have to kill you”, right? There just may be places, maybe in YOUR basement. Maybe you, or your uncle, held your own Geraldo vault opening only to find canned tomatoes and empty Peroni bottles?

But if there were tunnels, we’d know by now. Our streets – and homes- would have caved in by now. If there were tunnels here, they could not have traversed the city and still be unknown. Tunnels running short distances are more likely, other places had them as well. From home to store, home to home, or from home to carriage house I could believe. A deep cellar for canning and sausage making more likely.

I think I understand why Barbara, and now I, am reluctant to delve into this subject. So many reasons. Yet, it is an interesting question.

Are there secret tunnels in Chicago Heights?

August 17, 2011

chhpac

Categories: Uncategorized

25 responses to “Al Capone’s Tunnels”

Maryann Elizabeth Garza
November 1st, 2011 at 17:55

A friend who dated somebody who lives in a house on a hill, has taken her down into the tunnels that are off his basement. An old timer told me once that the house that use to be behind the gas station on 26th & Chicago Rd., was a place Al Capone would stay when he came to the Heights. I use to love to look at that house when I would walk to Grant School. It was a beautiful Victorian home. If anybody has picture of it, I would love to see it again. Anyway, I remember when they tore it down, rumors had spread that they found tunnels underneath. I believe there are tunnels under this town.
- P. Lale
  September 29th, 2012 at 20:34
  
  I remember this guy that used to live on the Hill told me he knew of these tunnels. He said they went for miles and miles going in all directions. I had another friend that was in the Victorian House and explored the tunnels the day before they tore it down. He said there were bullet holes still on the walls and was very creepy. I always wanted to find those places myself and willing to find them.
  - Rob Asbury
    December 13th, 2012 at 05:13
    
    I grew up in the Heights and was the one that started this conversation. 26th and Chicago Rd. is the Apex of the tunnels. Whether they were used for Capone or otherwise, there ARE tunnels in Chicago Hts. I believe that the road to the new police station caved in upon construction and tunnels were found.
    
    End of subject.\
    
    Rob
- chhpac
  December 13th, 2012 at 05:13
  
  Wow. Thanks for your comment.
- leon widget perez
  January 10th, 2014 at 17:46
  
  ..also on 23rd st at this apartment building (Iforgot the address) but in this basement there was a blocked doorway..The hill great memories! Amor de Rey!
  - chhpac
    January 16th, 2014 at 00:30
    
    That is really interesting. Thanks for your comment!
moni
January 5th, 2012 at 16:16

There are tunnels on the Hill, it has been YEARS (like 22) but I want to say they were along or near the RR tracks in the area between Wentworth on the west; 22nd Street on the south; State Street on the east and I think the tracks to the North. Also I grew up being told that the “castle” house on the corner where Country Club meets Schilling was Al Capone’s or some other Outfit affiliate’s and had to have tunnels filled in. Also there were rumors of tunnels under the old Nickleodian (Shaboda’s sp.?) which was more recently called Tony’s place on Butler and 25th? and a couple of houses over there. Also the estate of Oliver J. Ellis would be interesting to know where that was since that was a major Capone evidence find during a raid in Chicago Heights on January 6, 1929. History is History it should be shared, and education of local history is so important for kids these days, and it can be done intelligently without glamorizing crime. It shouldn’t be treated as the ‘dirty little secret’ it should be taught and shared openly.
There is so much beauty and history there, I hope the residents support the hard work you guys do to preserve it.
- chhpac
  December 13th, 2012 at 05:16
  
  That is really interesting! Sounds like we need to do some research! Thank you so much for your comment.
chhpac
March 5th, 2012 at 18:52

Thanks for your comments, guys! It is an interesting topic. I hope, with research and sharing of information, we may get to the bottom of it! 🙂
KUKIMBIA
April 6th, 2012 at 01:53

The Oliver Ellis home is still standing, located at 1525 Euclid. I owned the home next door for many years. The massive concrete pad behind the home that was the floor of the warehouse where Ellis stored hundreds of slot machines for Capone is still there.
- chhpac
  December 13th, 2012 at 05:21
  
  I’d love to get in there! We really do have some amazing history here. Thank you for your comment!
Joe Gomez
October 21st, 2012 at 03:54

I lived at 204 e 22nd st. and there were 2 tunnels that were blocked off that led under the street. There also used to be a round cinder block with a sprout and a threaded steel pole in the middle of it to crush the wine. GREAT MEMORIES growing up on “THE HILL” 1961-1980 ..

Joe Gomez
- chhpac
  December 13th, 2012 at 05:20
  
  That is really interesting. Thank you so much for your comment!
Bill B
December 9th, 2012 at 14:42

Three Star on the Hill stil has tunnels. When my family lived on the Hill, my grandmother used to take the tunnels in the neighborhood to Bloom high school. Whether or not Capone used them or not, the tunnels existed.
- chhpac
  December 13th, 2012 at 05:18
  
  Really?! That is awesome. Thanks for your comments.
Bill B
December 9th, 2012 at 14:47

This picture ( http://chicagohistorymuseum.tumblr.com/post/12643819763/al-capone-seated-center-with-associates ) was taken in Chicago Heights, reported to be the 26th Street and Chicago Road area. It is also reported the St. Valentines Day massacre was planned here. Although its crime, the mafia is part of Chicago history and Chicago Heights history.
Al Capone Mafia Boss (@caponemafiaboss)
December 13th, 2012 at 08:49

After reading your post, I’m thinking maybe there really is a tunnel. Since this is Capone’s favorite home.,and his getaway whenever he escaped. But I am thinking as well, to do my own researched about that tunnel, if there really exist during his era.

Have made a little site for Capone and its http://www.alcapone.me and have known a lot about the timeline of al capone and as well as the prohibition in the 1920s.
- Francis G.
  January 13th, 2013 at 13:58
  
  I think the Chicago Heights Historians should just leave this alone a find something BETTER to do. Whats on there property is ON THERE PROPERTY.
  - mike rosenberg
    February 2nd, 2013 at 23:17
    
    I know were these tunnels are but for safety reasons I am not going to say were . The only thing your going to find is rats and mud up to your knees so its not even worth it. You can also get lost and sick from sewer fumes. These tunnels that were once safe to walk and hide but that was years ago
- shannon
  October 16th, 2013 at 19:36
  
  i live on the hill right now i have for about 9 yrs….i have a friend that bout the old seboda building and a couple others in the area and while rehabbing discovered a open tunnel considering most r filled in with saw dust so iam told…well in there finds they found a couple old bottles of wine and a old rifle of some sort not really a gun person i have seen the tunnels with my own eyes….
  - chhpac
    January 16th, 2014 at 00:28
    
    Very cool. Thanks for your comment!
Michelle
June 10th, 2013 at 22:26

I live out in Thornton and know exactly where the tunnel is. There is actually an old bar build there and when it was open there was a lot of creepy things that happen there. It’s said to be haunted.
- Rob Asbury
  May 5th, 2014 at 18:32
  
  You are referring to Svoboda’s Nickleodeon, which was later moved to Dyer Indiana–I know, I was there when it was moved. And yes it was a creepy, speakeasy type of place with a myriad of early type of coin games, and in the basement was a door which led to a tunnel.
- Paul Lale
  May 17th, 2014 at 21:57
  
  Is it that building east of the tracks on the left side? I would be interested in seeing it. I am really into those secret tunnels.
Gary Jarrette
September 11th, 2016 at 14:34

It is totally ridiculous to state that your grandmother took you through a tunnel from the Three Star Tavern to Bloom High School a distance of at least 4 miles. It would take the army core of engineers to accomplish such a feat with sewers gas and water lines and such. I was borne and raised on The Hill and knew every inch of it. I moved away in the late 1982.
Al Capone did live or stay in a Victorian Style home O the corner of 26th street and Chicago Road, State Route 1. The house was moved back off the corner about 100 yards to the SW to accommodate a Clark gas station in I believe the late 60s. To my knowledge the house still stands. During the house move I do not remember any news of tunnels but small ones could have existed. Many gangsters lived on The Hilll and their dependents still live there to this day, I went to school with many of the children of them and am quite fimiliar with the colorful past and untimely demise of many of the gangsters. My cousin was found in a trunk so know what I am talking about and most of the comments on this site from the Johnny come latelys is pure crap. I was borne on The Hill in 1945 and lived there until I left to move to Arizona in 1982. I am Italian and know people that had AL Capone sit at their dinner table.