Monday, October 13, 2014

Mob tour shows seamy days of old West Side



Brad Hahn, executive director of Explore Buffalo, discusses the influence of mob activity as part of a monthly tour through the West Side. The West Side Mob Tour, one of many tours hosted by Explore Buffalo, looks into the harsh lives of the mob families that made their secret livings as bookies, loan sharks and coordinators of other illegal activities, while they led prominent lives in the public eye.   Even today, Hahn says, many traces of the past exist, although the quality of life in the area has greatly improved. For more information on the tour, contact Explore Buffalo online at www.explorebuffalo.org.  The last tour of the season is scheduled for 10a.m., Oct 26 in front of Providence Social Restaurant, 490 Rhode Island St. By Taylor Gesel and Nathaniel Smith