Tampa Calling | The History of Ybor City and the Florida Mob by Adam Scull
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ybor City in Tampa, Florida, had a deep connection to the rise of the mafia, resulting in a rich historical background. The Cuban and Spanish immigrants who came to work in the cigar factories established this historic neighborhood. The growth of Ybor City as a cigar manufacturing center brought in different criminal groups, and organized crime syndicates.
The Italian mob, led by the Sicilian-based families, held significant influence in Ybor City. The Trafficante crime family, led by Santo Trafficante Sr. and later his son, Santo Trafficante Jr., stood out as one of the most notable. Through the cigar industry, the Trafficante family expanded their operations by participating in illegal activities such as gambling, bootlegging, and racketeering.
The mob’s influence went beyond Ybor City, spreading across Tampa and infiltrating political and business circles. Local law enforcement had become corrupt. Labor unions had been manipulated. Illegal gambling dens and speakeasies had been established. Their influence expanded from Ybor City to cover a large portion of Tampa. They even infiltrated political and business circles. Santo Trafficante Jr. gained infamy as a prominent figure, renowned for being one of the most formidable mob bosses in the United States.
Ybor City gained a notorious reputation for organized crime due to its ties with the underworld. The mafia’s influence on the area’s history and culture had such a significant impact that it molded its development during that era. The influence of mafia families like the Trafficantes endured for years, despite law enforcement efforts to dismantle organized crime, shaping the identity of Ybor City.
As law enforcement cracked down on organized crime and society underwent changes, the mafia’s influence in Ybor City diminished. Ybor City’s historic buildings and generational stories reflect its past, while its transformation into a thriving cultural and entertainment district respects its diverse heritage, with the mafia’s impact diminishing over time.
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