Lloyd Historical Society
Upcoming Program
Monday, September 11, 2023
“Madams, Mobsters and Murders in the Hudson Valley”
Presented by Anthony Musso
The Town of Lloyd Historical Preservation Society is pleased to invite you to a
presentation by Anthony Musso regarding his new book, “Madams, Mobsters and
Murders in the Hudson Valley”. The presentation will be Monday, September 11, 2023 at
the Highland Public Library, 14 Elting Place, Highland, NY and will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The tranquil environment of New York’s Hudson Valley is the site of both peaceful rural
communities and single-family housing developments. Tourists visit the area’s historic
Gilded Age mansions, elaborate gardens, Revolutionary War battlefields, and many
other points of interest.
Yet some of the Hudson Valley’s heritage includes more harrowing tales.
From the late nineteenth century through 1950, one otherwise industrious city earned
the distinction of being dubbed “The Weekend Vice Resort” for its many gambling halls,
brothels and other activities of ill repute. During the nation’s prohibition era, stills
operating throughout the region were commonplace, even in the most respectable
communities.
Like New York City, some sixty to one hundred miles to its south, crimes such as
murder, kidnapping, and mob control over various rackets plagued the area. Police raids
on the country homes of mobsters Dutch Schultz and Legs Diamond and illegal
distilleries occurred frequently.
And when mobster crackdowns didn’t fill the headlines of daily newspapers, corrupt
politicians, police chiefs and government officials did. The crooked activities that appear
in this book are the true stories reported in various Hudson Valley and New York City
newspapers and in the archives of local historic organizations.
Madams, Mobsters and Murders is a true reflection of the darker side of life in a region
otherwise known for its beauty, peacefulness and quiet way of life.
presentation by Anthony Musso regarding his new book, “Madams, Mobsters and
Murders in the Hudson Valley”. The presentation will be Monday, September 11, 2023 at
the Highland Public Library, 14 Elting Place, Highland, NY and will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The tranquil environment of New York’s Hudson Valley is the site of both peaceful rural
communities and single-family housing developments. Tourists visit the area’s historic
Gilded Age mansions, elaborate gardens, Revolutionary War battlefields, and many
other points of interest.
Yet some of the Hudson Valley’s heritage includes more harrowing tales.
From the late nineteenth century through 1950, one otherwise industrious city earned
the distinction of being dubbed “The Weekend Vice Resort” for its many gambling halls,
brothels and other activities of ill repute. During the nation’s prohibition era, stills
operating throughout the region were commonplace, even in the most respectable
communities.
Like New York City, some sixty to one hundred miles to its south, crimes such as
murder, kidnapping, and mob control over various rackets plagued the area. Police raids
on the country homes of mobsters Dutch Schultz and Legs Diamond and illegal
distilleries occurred frequently.
And when mobster crackdowns didn’t fill the headlines of daily newspapers, corrupt
politicians, police chiefs and government officials did. The crooked activities that appear
in this book are the true stories reported in various Hudson Valley and New York City
newspapers and in the archives of local historic organizations.
Madams, Mobsters and Murders is a true reflection of the darker side of life in a region
otherwise known for its beauty, peacefulness and quiet way of life.