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Description
This narrow Cleveland street was once occupied by the notorious McCart Street gang, considered by many to be the most feared gang in Cleveland. A wave of Irish immigrants drawn by the need for quick labor, settled in what was at the time, a separate suburb from Cleveland. This street was developed by John McCart, who offered the housing for sale or rent for cheap prices and no questions asked.
Soon many of the younger male occupants formed a gang and began to terrorize the entire neighborhood. Now considered the very first “organized” street gang, they robbed, stole, beat and intimidate anyone that dared stand in their way. They would tax the already strained neighborhood infrastructure, mostly the police to the point where the gang would chase the police away with clubs, sticks and rocks. There are numerous reports of police refusing to go to the street at all. Most residents lived in terror of the gang who would openly rob or steal from anywhere and anyone.
The gang was known to break into the closest tavern and liberate any alcohol and cash they wanted at the time. Occasionally they were caught but usually managed to find a way to avoid jail mostly due to bribery and intimidation.
At the time, Cleveland papers took great delight in revealing in graphic detail the gang’s exploits. The papers were embroiled in a circulation war and salacious stories were perfect for increased sales.The net effect was all of Cleveland was updated on the gang’s exploits on a daily basis.
Names like: Michael Gorman (aka Red Fox or Foxy due to his red hair, Michael McGinty (aka The Block), Thomas McCune all were charged and arrested for theft and all spent time in prison. Soon the leaders of the Gang were arrested and the gang’s power began to fade. The police, the business people and honest residents banded together and essentially forced the gang out of existing.
Today this street has kind of a charm to it with no real signs stretching back to it’s notorious past.