Al Capone “Scarface” bootlegger and gangster
On My Walk at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Chicago — Discovering Al Capone’s Grave
While walking through Mount Carmel Cemetery in Chicago, I came upon the grave of one of history’s most infamous criminals — Alphonse Gabriel Capone, better known as Al “Scarface” Capone. What caught my attention immediately was something unexpected: a series of small Canadian flags placed respectfully at the base of the Capone family monument.
Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1899, Capone rose to infamy as the head of the Chicago Outfit, one of the most powerful organized crime syndicates of the Prohibition era. He relocated to Chicago in his twenties and quickly became synonymous with bootlegging, gambling, and organized crime.
Capone’s childhood home in Brooklyn, New York City.
During Prohibition, Capone reportedly had close ties with Canadian bootleggers, who helped him smuggle alcohol into the U.S. Though stories circulate about him having hideouts in Canada, the RCMP has long denied any verified sightings or activity on Canadian soil. Still, the rumours persist — perhaps explaining the Canadian flags I found that day.
Capone wasn’t just a gangster — he was also a media figure. He crafted a public persona that made him as much a symbol of outlaw glamour as of criminal ruthlessness. Even in death, his grave serves as a kind of modern-day shrine, attracting visitors from all over the world — some curious, others oddly reverent.
Al Capone died in 1947 at the age of 48, suffering complications from syphilis and a stroke. Despite his violent legacy, his grave remains one of Chicago’s most visited — a curious mix of history, myth, and notoriety.
Al Capone died at his mansion in Palm Island, Florida on January 25, 1947. He was 48.
1899-1947
A shot glass an old cigar and withering red roses placed on Capone’s grave by the many who visit.
Al Capone’s parents buried in the same family plot at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Chicago.
Al with his mother, Theresa.
