Community Corner

Mob History on Wenonah Avenue

WBEZ history writer and Oak Parker John R. Schmidt takes a look at Sam Giancana's place.

Though south Oak Park neighbors and local law enforcement officers might want to fuggedaboutit, the legacy of late mob boss Sam Giancana looms large.

"Giancana lived quietly in Oak Park," Chicago Public Radio blogger, historian and Oak Parker John R. Schmidt writes in a new WBEZ blog post. "He didn't bother his neighbors, and they certainly didn't bother him."

Giancana bought the home, located in the 1100 block of South Wenonah Avenue, in April 1945. The home is the site of "Momo's" unsolved 1975 murder — one of the Outfit's most notorious hits. Various news articles from years past speculate the murder came at the hands of younger mobsters, who investigators at the time believe were sending a message to the old-timers. From the New York Times wire service

Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The younger Mafia members have been increasingly dissatisfied with the operation of family rackets, and, most important, the division of profits, according to the investigators...So the younger members killed Giancana as a warning to the Mafia establishment here that their presence had ended, the investigators believe."

Whoever pulled the trigger, the gunman made sure it was carried out in grisly fashion. According to the Gangland Chicago blog, Giancana was "shot once in the back of the head, once in the mouth, and five times under the chin as he fried a late-night snack in his basement kitchen." Warning: following the link will lead to graphic photos.

Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you're curious about that last meal, Chicago blog Gapers Block has the recipe, which originated from an old New Yorker article. 

Giancana's life and times will be chronicled in a new documentary co-produced by Giancana's relative Nicholas Celozzi. The film, Momo: The Sam Giancana Story,made its debut Saturday at Chicago's Gene Siskel Film Center. Here's the trailer.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here