Chicago Gang Study | University Gang Study
Chicago Gang Study
Greetings! The photos from the Chicago gangs video are from a study done back in the late 50s/early 60s. To make a long story short, I inherited much of the data from that study and have been computerizing them off-and-on for the past 6+ years. I have more or less complete rosters for the groups listed below. The list includes both gangs and non-gang comparison groups. Note: Butch Ponzi and both Young brothers are listed as Junior Playboys (42 listed members); 39 for the Senior Playboys.
I’m now a prof. at University of Nebraska and am working to put together a life-history study of OGs and other “old-timers.” I’ve got a good contact in Nebraska (from Long Beach, CA) and am putting out feelers to others. Chicago is the obvious start point. Would be great to speak with anyone with past gang experience from each generation (ages 25 and up), including the guys from the study mentioned above (who would be in their 60s now). Anyone out there who'd be willing to help me get the ball rolling?
P.S. Just today I discovered some field notes in which the following groups and leading members are mentioned: the Gaylords (Ohio and Elizabeth & Grand and Ogden & Ogden and Racine), C-Notes (Leavitt and Ohio), Chi-West (Chicago and Western), Jokers, a group referred to as “Sherry-Barry”, Black Saints, Dominoes (Grand and Noble), Lazy Gents, C-Notes, Gallant Counts (Carpenter and Hubbard), Noble Artesians (Chestnut and Noble), and others. The main study was finished before these reports were made, but it looks like the YMCA detached worker program (and worker reports) continued on at least through 1965. For the Gaylords, the leader is listed as Rocky. Eddie Wyra, Donald Penny, and others are also mentioned.
Original Study Clubs
- 80th and Halsted
- ABC
- Albany Lords
- Beverly YMCA (Commodores)
- Beverly YMCA (Falcons)
- Boys Brotherhood Republic
- Boys' Brotherhood Republic
- Braves
- Cliques
- Clovers (white and black)
- Comanche
- Delta Theta Kappa Washington Park YMCA (Thetas)
- DePaul Settlement House
- Dukes
- Duncan Maxwell Street Y
- Egyptian Cobraettes
- Egyptian Cobras
- Gossage Grill
- Grand Crossing Non-gang girls
- Grand Crossing Park Guys
- Grand Crossing, Cheetam Y
- Hi-Y Omicrons, Washington Park
- Hudson Playground, Lower North Center
- Isham Y
- Junior Egyptian Cobras
- Junior Gents
- Junior Imperials
- Junior Nobles
- Junior Playboys
- Junior Rebels
- Junior South Side Cobras
- Junior Vice Lords
- Lancers and Dominoes
- Lincoln Center
- Maypole Vice Ladies
- Marcy Center
- May Boys
- Maypole and Monroe Vice Lords
- Maypole Vice Lords
Ex Gang/Club Interview
Interested individuals would be willing to share their life histories in one or more confidential face-to-face (and/or telephone) interviews conducted some time during the next year. Interviews would be unstructured, with the Professor asking general and follow-up questions but mostly listening to whatever they are willing to share:
- Midget Imperials
- Midget Vampires
- Midget Vice Lords
- Mighty Midgets
- Nobles
- Old Town Boys' Club
- Ravens
- Roman Saints
- Senior Gents
- Senior Playboys
- Senior Vampires
- South Side Cobras
- Stateway Garden Cobras
- Stateway Non-gang
- Sub Grill
- Trios
- Vampires/Bombers
- Vice Lords
- Vikings
- Vipers
- Wabash Y/Phillips Hi-Y
- Wentworth Senior Rebels
- Wrightwood-Racine
- Young Sinners
If you were a part of any of these clubs, organizations, or gangs, please Contact Us. This study will be a continuation of the original study from 1963 1963 Progress Report. Interested individuals would be willing to share their life histories in one or more confidential face-to-face (and/or telephone) interviews conducted some time during the next year. Interviews would be unstructured, with the Professor asking general and follow-up questions but mostly listening to whatever they are willing to share. In short, the professor is hoping these people (women welcome, too) will educate her about the gang experience from their perspective. She is also interested in finding out what happened to the guys and gangs in Professor Jim Short's study.