Boatman, T. Nicole, Scott H. Belshaw & Richard B. McCaslin
Galveston’s Maceo Family Empire: Bootlegging & The Balinese Room.
Charleston, S.C.: The History Press, 2014. 1st edition. 144 pages.
Pictorial boards without dustjacket, as issued. Book is in fine condition. $45
At the turn of the last century, Galveston had a laissez-faire reputation which called to its shores those hungry for success. In fact, Galveston was dubbed, Wall Street of the Southwest. The Maceo Family answered the call and built an island empire of gambling, smuggling and prostitution. People like Duke Ellington, Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra frequented their nightclubs and the Maceos endeared themselves to their Galveston neighbors by imitating the tactics of crime syndicates in their native Sicily which included using their profits to improve the economic circumstances of neighbors. This helped bring prosperity to the Oleander City.
502 Oak Street, Graham, TX 76450 | 940.549.5341