|
Published: October 19, 2008 12:21 pm
TOURISM: Local link to gangsters makes for wild ride
By Caitlin Murray
E-mail Caitlin
Niagara Gazette
When a guy donning a fedora and a pin-striped suit promises to “take you for a ride” as he brandishes a gun, that probably means you’re toast.
Unless, of course, you’re a passenger on The Mob Tours, a historical look at Niagara Falls’ connections to Sicily’s most notorious: The Mafia.Audio by James Neiss
Run by Buffalo businessman and Mafia history buff Mike Rizzo, the Saturday bus tour focuses much around the life of lesser-known mobster Stefano Magaddino, a Sicilian who settled in Niagara Falls after stints in New York City and New Jersey. His specialties included bootlegging alcohol during the prohibition, illegal gambling and extortion. Oh, and one other thing, Rizzo said.
“Probably one of the things he was best known for was making people disappear,” Rizzo said. “When he wanted to, he would make them go away and they’d never be seen again.”
It’s no wonder Magaddino got the nickname The Undertaker. Magaddino’s front for his income was appropriately a funeral home that once stood at Portage Road and Niagara Street. As Rizzo put it, Magaddino “took care of them at night and then he took care of them during the day.”
On the 90-minute ride around the Falls, Rizzo narrates the story of Magaddino’s rise to power, showing various mob hangouts, gangster homes, sites of illegal businesses and even some spots where the alleged disappearing acts occurred.
The rides are designed to satisfy gangster fans and history buffs alike.
Caroline Nolan, of St. Catharine’s, Ont., took the tour last month with a group of about 25 women she described as 40 years old and above. The group of members from The Canadian Federation of University Women goes on weekly excursions to try new things and happened upon The Mob Tours in the Falls. Although gangster tales tend to be viewed as male domain, she said the day trip was a hit.
“It was unanimous — the whole group enjoyed it,” Nolan said. “Everyone was impressed with him because of his knowledge — every time we asked a question, he’d have the answer and more.”
Indeed, Rizzo has certainly done his research. Before starting the tour less than five months ago, Rizzo initially had planned five years ago to write a book about the Mafia’s presence in the Buffalo-Niagara area. Instead, he pursued the tour, but is gradually putting an archive of more than 5,000 Federal Bureau of Investigation documents related to Magaddino on the tour’s Web site, themobtours.com.
Magaddino died in Lewiston in 1973 and chances are many people still living in Niagara Falls had their own run-ins with the gangster. But Rizzo said he doesn’t expect them to come forward.
“One gentleman, 83 years old, that had been to his house several times came on a tour. His father was closely related to him and he told some stories,” Rizzo said. “But there’s still a mystique over Magaddino. Not a lot of people want to say things. People have called and told me stories, but they wouldn’t give their names.”
Contact reporter Caitlin Murray
at 282-2311, ext. 2251.
For more information or to book tickets, visit http://themobtours.com/.
|
|
|
|
 |
PHONE SALES
PHONE sales, great pay, exp. a plus, nice NT office, FT/PT, hrly. +, Pete or Mike, 694-1251...>MORE
OFFICE HELP
Office help, p/t, must have exc. computer/word processing skills, fax 877-2029 or jimshotwell@roadrunner.com, NO CALLS...>MORE
DRIVER
Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, know WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE
BILINGUAL PHONE INTERVIEWER
Bilingual Telephone interviewer. Surveys for insurance policy review. Spanish/English a Must. ft/pt & Sat. No sales/coll...>MORE
FOREMAN & LABORERS
Basement Waterproofing co. needs a foreman & laborers for expanding business, exp. w/interior drain tile a plus, 471-723...>MORE
Grill Cook
GRILL COOK & Waitresses, exp only, full time. Apply within 2021 Main St. Nia Falls ...>MORE
Adult Residential Services Administrator
HUMAN SERVICES
Progressive Niagara County Agency serving adults with psychiatric disabilties seeks an Adult Reside...>MORE
Recreational Aide
Recreational Aide - Full/part time. Performs hand on activities to include crafts, cooking, recreational and social acti...>MORE
Used Car Lot Helper
USED CAR Lot Helper misc. duties, valid driver’s license, great work environment. For details 731-2319 ask for Mr. Dan...>MORE
Driver
DRIVERS – CDL A
TEAM DRIVERS NEEDED FOR
DEDICATED RUNS
No touch freight............Good miles
...>MORE
See all ads |
Chevy 1995 Pickup
CHEVY 1995 Pickup truck, 4WD, 5 speed, must see, never had plow on it, $2800 bo, 804-5579...>MORE
Chevy 1994 High Topper Van
CHEVY 1994 High topper van, high road miles, mechanically sound, $900 or bo, 716-510-8105...>MORE
Yamaha 1982, 750
YAMAHA 1982, 750, runs perfect,
low mileage, $895.
716-525-2889...>MORE
Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
Ford 1998 F150
FORD 1998 F150, standard cab, 4wd, excellent shape, $3495.
716-525-2889...>MORE
Nissan 1993 4x4
NISSAN 1993 4x4, extended cab, bedliner cap, $1200 or best offer, 715-2450...>MORE
Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE
Dodge 1993 Dakota 4x4
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
