Chicago Gaylords
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Gaylords, also known as the Almighty Gaylords, is one of the oldest Chicago
street gangs. It originated in the neighborhood of Grand and Noble. The original president of the Gaylords selected the name after reading about the Gaylords in the public library (the Gaillards, later anglicized to Gaylord, were people from Normandy
who lived near the Chateau Gaillard, constructed by Richard I). They are a part of the People Nation
alliance.
veterans. The majority of the original members were Italian, Irish, Greek, and Mexican American which reflected the population of the Grand and Ogden area at the time, that was known as one of Chicago's "Little Italy
s." There were many such clubs in Chicago during the post WWII era, and had their own clubhouses and baseball teams. The Gaylord's clubhouse was on the corner of Ohio and Noble Street. At the height of the Gaylords reign they had more than 6000 members, were one of the most powerful gangs in Chicago, and controlled large areas of the city.
(Moffat & Campbell); Logan Square
(Palmer & California, Lawndale & Altgeld); Irving Park
(Albany & Byron); Kilbourn Park (Roscoe & Kilbourn); Kelvyn Park (Kilbourn & Wrightwood); Dunham Park (Montrose & Narragansett); Ravenswood (Seeley & Ainslie); and Uptown (Sunnyside & Magnolia, Lawrence & Broadway). During the 1960s through the early 1980s, the Chicago Gaylords experienced tremendous growth and expansion, with sections popping up all over Chicago.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
street gangs. It originated in the neighborhood of Grand and Noble. The original president of the Gaylords selected the name after reading about the Gaylords in the public library (the Gaillards, later anglicized to Gaylord, were people from Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
who lived near the Chateau Gaillard, constructed by Richard I). They are a part of the People Nation
People Nation
People Nation is an alliance of street gangs generally associated with the Chicago area. They are rivals to the Folk Nation.The People Nation were formed much in the same way as the Folk Nation. In 1978, the El Rukns People Nation is an alliance of street gangs generally associated with the Chicago...
alliance.
Genesis
The Chicago Gaylords began as one of the clubs started by World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veterans. The majority of the original members were Italian, Irish, Greek, and Mexican American which reflected the population of the Grand and Ogden area at the time, that was known as one of Chicago's "Little Italy
Little Italy
Little Italy is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Italians or people of Italian ancestry, usually in an urban neighborhood.-Canada:*Little Italy, Edmonton, in Alberta*Little Italy, Montreal, in Quebec...
s." There were many such clubs in Chicago during the post WWII era, and had their own clubhouses and baseball teams. The Gaylord's clubhouse was on the corner of Ohio and Noble Street. At the height of the Gaylords reign they had more than 6000 members, were one of the most powerful gangs in Chicago, and controlled large areas of the city.
Gang expansion
During their peak period in the 1970s, the Chicago Gaylords held sets (or sections) on the North Side, West side and the South Side of Chicago. The West side sections included Ohio and Noble, Ohio and Leclaire and Monticelllo and Augusta. Their South Side sections included Back of the Yards (around 55th & Ashland, Sherman Park), Marquette Park, Pilsen (18th & Western), and Bridgeport (Throop Street). Their North Side presence included [Belmont Cragin]Manor Bowl,Reinberg School,Chopin Park,Blackhawk Park,St Gens.Humboldt ParkHumboldt Park, Chicago
Humboldt Park is one of 77 officially designated community areas located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois. The Humboldt Park neighborhood is widely known for its large Puerto Rican presence...
(Moffat & Campbell); Logan Square
Logan Square, Chicago
Logan Square is one of the 77 city-designated community areas located on the near northwest side of the City of Chicago. The name, used here to describe the community area defined by U.S. census tracts, also applies to one of a number of smaller, more loosely defined residential neighborhoods...
(Palmer & California, Lawndale & Altgeld); Irving Park
Irving Park, Chicago
Irving Park is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community area located on the Northwest Side. It is bounded by the Chicago River on the east, the Milwaukee Road railroad tracks on the west, Addison Street on the south and Montrose Avenue on the north, west of Pulaski Road stretching to...
(Albany & Byron); Kilbourn Park (Roscoe & Kilbourn); Kelvyn Park (Kilbourn & Wrightwood); Dunham Park (Montrose & Narragansett); Ravenswood (Seeley & Ainslie); and Uptown (Sunnyside & Magnolia, Lawrence & Broadway). During the 1960s through the early 1980s, the Chicago Gaylords experienced tremendous growth and expansion, with sections popping up all over Chicago.
Gang colors
The sets, or sections, started by Kilbourn Park wore black and light blue. Sections started by Palmer street wore black and gray. South Side sections started by the 18th and Western section like 55th and Ashland and Sherman Park wore black and brown.Gang structure
Unlike other street nations or gangs, the Gaylords have had no major president or leader that is in control of the entire collective group. The Gaylords have one or two leaders from each settlement:| Divisions Within Sets | Age Group |
|---|---|
| Slylords/Palmer Puds | Under 13 |
| Midgets | 13 to 15 |
| PeeWees | 16 to 18 |
| Juniors | 18 to 20 |
| Seniors | 21 and older |