East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit
Post Number: 1683 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 8:23 am: | |
I like the story about how Capone never made inroads into Detroit. He sent 2 scouts/messengers to meet with the Purples to talk about a joint business venture (more likely to feel them out for a takeover) and they were invited to a place to meet. They walked in, then up the stairs and then adios. No discussion, just bullets. |
Gnome Member Username: Gnome
Post Number: 1070 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 8:39 am: | |
John Lodge: I checked the aerial photos at http://tools.comm.wayne.edu/me dia/low_res/aerial_photos/inde x.htm and clicked on the 1946 oakland county 600dpi pics http://techtools.culma.wayne.e du/media/oakland/1949/ha-23-52 .pdf It shows a network of canals behind what is now Mama Mia's on Cooley Lake. So maybe there is some truth behind what you heard. Now, I know that the Purple Gang had been disbanded by 1946, but that doesn't mean remnants of their activities didn't survive. As a side note, or completely unfounded rumor/legend. Mickey Cockran had a place on either Carey or Boogie Lake. Mickey was known to rub elbows with the underworld mainly due to his drinking and gambling. However, I have no direct evidence about Cockran and the Purple Gang. I stumbled on the Cockren story while researching family geneology... again, no proof. |
Thoswolfe Member Username: Thoswolfe
Post Number: 47 Registered: 11-2007
| Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 11:07 am: | |
Now I wonder if that former airport (long gone)by 13/Orchard Lake was for Purple Gang? In 70's Max Fleischer turned the airplane hanger building into a Bump Shop w/ upstairs apartment. |
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 6165 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 11:32 am: | |
Interesting Gnome and Yaktown. As I said, it's just rumor. But Gnome's finds definitely show it as a possibility.
The area back there is wetlands now, but you can see there is a fully connected series of waterways and canals there at, least as far back as 1946. |
Yaktown Member Username: Yaktown
Post Number: 335 Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 9:44 pm: | |
Wow, love that aerial circa 1946! I've always wondered how Venice of the Woods got its name, I guess that seals it. Interesting to see all the change. Back on topic...has anyone ever done a tour of the Gang's old haunts? |
Gnome Member Username: Gnome
Post Number: 1076 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 10:02 pm: | |
what is Venice in the Woods? never heard of it ... Purple Gang haunts, does Collingwood Ave count? (Message edited by gnome on April 17, 2008) |
Mr_onion Member Username: Mr_onion
Post Number: 231 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 12:09 am: | |
Gilgon,, check out Lupton Michigan,, their was an old Dance hall their called the Lupton Ballroom,, the purple Gang used to hang out their when they were Hot,, had to go on "ICE" and hideout. |
Stinger4me Member Username: Stinger4me
Post Number: 228 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 2:29 pm: | |
Klingon: This is the name of a book which may provide info for you. "The Purple Gang, Organized Crime in Detroit, 1910-1945". It was written by Paul R. Kavieff, ISBN 1-56980-147-9. It was purchased through Edward R. Hamilton Bookseller. I hope this helps. Stinger |
Gnome Member Username: Gnome
Post Number: 1089 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 6:41 pm: | |
please, stop, and just go away. If REL had made a comment about the Purple Gang that was inaccurate, please provide a citation as to your conflicting information. If it's just a reaction to being embarrassed, please quit embarrassing yourself any further. |
Gnome Member Username: Gnome
Post Number: 1091 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 6:48 pm: | |
But you are embarrassing me. Please, I am begging you, please stop posting inanities. This thread is about the Purple Gang. Not Rel, not you, not Kwame, not anything other than Purple gang. Stop. |
Mschievous Member Username: Mschievous
Post Number: 18 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 6:58 pm: | |
Doug, did you say you were in T.C., drinking? Whatcha' drinkin' buddy? |
Detroitwhat Member Username: Detroitwhat
Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2007
| Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 7:15 pm: | |
I heard they put money under your bed at night when you lose a tooth. |
Tony_box_42 Member Username: Tony_box_42
Post Number: 142 Registered: 12-2006
| Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 7:42 am: | |
Do any of you remember the "Myrtle Street Gang " ? |
Detroitdecor27 Member Username: Detroitdecor27
Post Number: 43 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 11:13 am: | |
I know my grandma's friend wrote a book about the purple gang her husband was member of the gang. Of course I can't remember her friends name or the name of the book but I know my grandma has a copy of it some where. I do remember that the cover was purple with flowers on it and the writing was in script. But I guess my comment isn't really much help.... =( Does anyone remember the Grosse Pointe Cat Burglar? Apparently he stay at my grandparents house for a couple nights while hiding out from the cops! My grandparents had interesting and questionable friends! lol =) |
Rel Member Username: Rel
Post Number: 671 Registered: 02-2008
| Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 11:54 am: | |
I didn't know there was a movie, unless I missed this in a previous post. From the New York Times review: http://movies.nytimes.com/movi e/106900/The-Purple-Gang/overv iew |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 2830 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 6:57 am: | |
Upcoming Author Event: Featured Author: Scott Burnstein, Motor City Mafia: A Century of Organized Crime in Detroit, Wednesday, May 14, 6pm. This book chronicles the storied and hallowed gangland history of the notorious Detroit underworld. Through a stunning array of rare archival photographs and images, Motor City Mafia captures Detroit's most infamous past, from its inception in the early part of the 20th century, through the years when the iconic Purple Gang ruled the city's streets during Prohibition, through the 1930s and the formation of the local Italian mafia, and the Detroit crime family's glory days in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, all the way to the downfall of the area's mob reign in the 1980s and 1990s. This talk takes place at the Detroit Historical Museum. Free for Detroit Historical Society members; $10 for nonmembers. Advance RSVP requested; call 313-833-1801. http://www.detroithistorical.o rg/thingstodo/index.asp?ID=21 |
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 6220 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 8:43 am: | |
Gnome, "Venice of the Woods" is the name of a subdivision right in that area. The name didn't mean anything to me all these years, until you posted that aerial. I'm not sure when the houses were built, or whether the canals were still there or not. http://maps.google.com/maps?cl ient=safari&rls=en&ie=UTF-8&oe =UTF-8&um=1&q=venice+of+the+wo ods&near=White+Lake%2C+MI&fb=1 &cid=0%2C0%2C91604310023213816 72&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum =1&ct=image Pan a little Southwest from this map, you'll see the roads Venice and Volga. |
Mastermsu Member Username: Mastermsu
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 9:19 am: | |
http://www.geocities.com/jiggs 2000_us/purple-gallery.html email me with any questions regarding certain members |
Gnome Member Username: Gnome
Post Number: 1096 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 9:19 am: | |
JL- Ah, I see it now, I checked the 1956 map and the canals behind Mama Mia's are still there, and while a road has been cut that resembles 'Venice' there does not appear to be neighborhood there. You might not know this, but gravel mining used to be a pretty big business in Commerce and Milford. I had an old uncle that was killed in a cave-in in what would eventually become Sherwood Lake. I think the year was 1923 or so. My Grandfather told stories about mining gravel and hauling it out - by mule - to build the GM Test Track. 1956 aerial photo: http://techtools.culma.wayne.e du/media/oakland/1956/ga-7-53. pdf |
Terryh Member Username: Terryh
Post Number: 729 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 12:58 pm: | |
Mastermsu what is youre e-mail address? |
Mastermsu Member Username: Mastermsu
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 10:27 pm: | |
msubleda13@aol.com |
D_mcc Member Username: D_mcc
Post Number: 693 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 11:12 pm: | |
What is going on with the Tocco family these days? Are the books still closed? |
Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey
Post Number: 443 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 1:13 pm: | |
Just ran across this info: "During the Prohibition Era, the old farmhouse became a hangout for "rumrunners" when it served as a speak easy and a brothel for Detroit's notorious Purple Gang." The Stone House Bar http://profile.myspace.com/ind ex.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewpro file&friendID=317462949 |
Klingon Member Username: Klingon
Post Number: 48 Registered: 04-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 1:49 pm: | |
This is some great stuff ...does anyone know if the collingwood apartment building is still there? |
Jgavrile Member Username: Jgavrile
Post Number: 74 Registered: 09-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 2:14 pm: | |
Sometime after the 40's the Stone House was purchased by a family friend Mr. Constas. When he died his Daughter Mary and her Husband, who was Detroit police officer. ran it for several years. |
Gnome Member Username: Gnome
Post Number: 1108 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 2:36 pm: | |
1740 Collingwood Ave. I think it was torn down 10 or 15 years ago. Between Woodrow Wilson and 12th Street. One Way east bound. From Downtown take the Lodge, exit at Hamilton and head north 3 or 4 blocks to Calvert, turn L, head W cross back over the Lodge to 12th St, turn R or N one short block to Collingwood. turn R or E. Not real easy getting out of there due to the one ways. |
Cdwaters Member Username: Cdwaters
Post Number: 91 Registered: 02-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 2:55 pm: | |
Chuckjav, A friend of mine once told me about how his grandfather had secretly treated members of the Purple Gang. His last name was Kaminski. Seeing that photo of Abe Kaminski makes me wonder if that was him or maybe a relative. Would you (or anyone else) know anything about it? |
Umbound Member Username: Umbound
Post Number: 104 Registered: 02-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 4:08 pm: | |
My girlfriends grand father was a part of the Purple Gang. Is there any mafia activity going on now in the area? if so who's runnin the show then? |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 246 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Friday, April 25, 2008 - 2:48 am: | |
good to hear mention of the Myrtle St gang, i guess my dad wasnt lying when he said " things were tough when i was a kid. you had the purples and the myrtle st gang." |
Sumas Member Username: Sumas
Post Number: 125 Registered: 01-2008
| Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 11:36 pm: | |
Google Keywell, I was was amazed at the interesting links provided. Two Keywells were part of the Purple Gang. |
Klingon Member Username: Klingon
Post Number: 49 Registered: 04-2005
| Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 3:00 pm: | |
Thanks for the info ..anyone have any background or gangster pictures of the gang? |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 2840 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 8:55 am: | |
Reminder: Featured Author: Scott Burnstein, Motor City Mafia: A Century of Organized Crime in Detroit, Wednesday, May 14, 6pm. This book chronicles the storied and hallowed gangland history of the notorious Detroit underworld. Through a stunning array of rare archival photographs and images, Motor City Mafia captures Detroit's most infamous past, from its inception in the early part of the 20th century, through the years when the iconic Purple Gang ruled the city's streets during Prohibition, through the 1930s and the formation of the local Italian mafia, and the Detroit crime family's glory days in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, all the way to the downfall of the area's mob reign in the 1980s and 1990s. This talk takes place at the Detroit Historical Museum. Free for Detroit Historical Society members; $10 for nonmembers. Advance RSVP requested; call 313-833-1801. http://www.detroithistorical.o rg/thingstodo/index.asp?ID=21 |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 2841 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 9:00 am: | |
Also saw these articles about the documentary "Murder City", which "traces the history of crime in Detroit from the Prohibition-era Purple Gang to more recent drug- and gang-fueled activity": Moviemaker makes a statement about crime in Detroit http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20080511/ENT01/8 05110537/1036 Gritty documentary about Detroit's murderous past http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20080511/ENT 04/805110538/1118/rss |