Al Capone's £565k home on sale with hidden feature that would suit a mob boss

27 January 2023 , 10:54

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A mansion once owned by Al Capone has gone up for sale, and it has a hidden feature that would suit any mob boss (Image: Century 21 MRC /The Stacie Callan Group)

Al Capone is the most famous gangster in the world and was so sinister it's hard to believe he's not a work of fiction.

He amassed a fortune and was nabbed by police for tax evasion, so it's no surprise that he lived in an incredible expensive mansion that was as lavish as it was iconic.

Now his Georgian-style stately home, in Highgate, Vermont, is up for sale, and for just £565,000 ($700,000) you could live out your wildest Al Capone-based fantasy.

But the property, which comes in at a staggering 8,938-square-foot, has one secret feature for the new owner - a hidden tunnel that leads to a nearby river.

From the outside the house looks completely normal (Century 21 MRC /The Stacie Callan Group)

Would you buy Al Capone's old home? Let us know in the comments...

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The property is being sold by Stacie M. Callan of Century 21 MRC, who spoke to Realtor. She said: "The home has such an incredible history.

"Al Capone is said to have been here. It was his stopping point when he was smuggling alcohol across the border to Canada during Prohibition.

"From a historical perspective, some of the most impressive details include nine foot and 10-foot ceilings throughout, chestnut woodwork, the ballroom, and the tunnel."

But inside there's a hidden tunnel (Century 21 MRC /The Stacie Callan Group)

The seven-bedroom mansion has pumpkin pine flooring, a grand staircase, and has had many uses over the years - as it was once a dance hall, a bed and breakfast, a restaurant, a bar, a school, a wedding venue, and a family home.

It was built in 1818 by Captain Steve Keys, and in 1857 a 2,500 square foot ballroom was added which features a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, a custom bar, and a stage.

In 1870 it was sold to a doctor who used it until 1870 when it was turned into a holiday retreat.

It is believed the 27-room house was used by Capone as a stopping point when he was smuggling alcohol across the border to Canada during Prohibition.

Meanwhile, Al Capone's niece says her 'softie' mobster uncle's hidden £80m ( $100m) stash is lost forever.

The rest of the house looks pretty normal (Century 21 MRC /The Stacie Callan Group)

One of Deirdre Capone's fondest memories of her great uncle is him standing in the kitchen, a pinny tied around his waist, teaching her how to cook spaghetti.

She recalls: "He said, 'you'll know it's done Deirdre', and he'd pick up one noodle and throw it against the wall. 'If it sticks, it's done, if it slides off it's not done yet'. He loved to cook."

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As her surname suggests, Deirdre’s great uncle was America’s most infamous gangster, Al Capone.

It was once used as a B&B (Century 21 MRC /The Stacie Callan Group)

Deirdre said she was "probably the last person on this Earth" to have properly known him, and spoke out from her home in Florida as the movie about her beloved "Uncle Al" was released on Netflix.

Although the family never wanted for money, Deirdre believes the myth there is a lost stash of Capone's wealth still potentially stashed away, the location of which died with him.

But she says she has long since given up on finding it and cashing in.

It was also a doctor's surgery at one stage (Century 21 MRC /The Stacie Callan Group)

Deirdre, who turned seven the day Capone died following a stroke in January 1947, paints a sweeter picture and reveals the ruthless gangster had a surprisingly sensitive side.

Not least that old Scarface was pretty thin-skinned about his iconic scar, which Deirdre says he got in a bar fight when he complimented a girl he met. Her brother took offence – with a knife.

"He hated the scar. He would try and hide that at all times," she says. "It's difficult to find a picture where he doesn't shield it. He was very self-conscious about it.

Now it could be yours, for a little over £500,000 (Century 21 MRC /The Stacie Callan Group)

"He didn't like to have anything wrong with him at all, he was a perfectionist."

So much so that there was one sure- fire way to put the wind up him.

Deirdre recalls: "If you wanted to rattle Al Capone all you had to say is, 'where'd you get that spot on your shirt?' He'd be like, 'oh my goodness there's a spot on my shirt?' and he'd run to get it out. He wanted to be perfect at all times."

Clearly image meant a lot to him. Deirdre adds: "If you see any picture of my uncle he had a white hat on.

"The reason is, he loved cowboy movies and in them the good guys always wore white hats.

Al Capone was a notorious mobster, and maybe the most iconic (Popperfoto/Getty Images)

"He always wore one because the media was so against him, trying to blame him for everything, so he'd wear a white hat to let people know he was a good guy. He felt victimised."

She fondly recalls he didn't mind his young niece asking about the scar, though. To her, he was always a good guy. "I would sit on his lap and feel it and say, 'does that boo-boo hurt?'". "He'd laugh and say, 'No, not any more'."

It feels like there might be a tad of whitewashing going on in Deirdre's recollections of Capone, the younger brother of her grandfather, Ralph.

Ralph was nicknamed "Bottles" for his role in the fearsome Capone bootleg alcohol empire, the Chicago Outfit, which made its fortune during Prohibition. Deirdre explains it was actually Ralph who was in charge. But he was happy for Al to be the public face.

"Al loved the limelight, loved to be out with a beautiful woman on his arm. My grandfather hated it," she explained.

John Bett