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Local History Talk – Guyasuta Gangsters: Pittsburgh Mobsters and Their Ill-fated Dog Track
June 25 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
In 1930, a small group of Pittsburgh gambling racketeers opened a dog racing track in an O’Hara Township amusement park and called it the Guyasuta Kennel Club. They were plagued by troubles from the get-go. Mechanical problems and deadly accidents involving the dogs attracted the attention of law enforcement and a month-long battle ensued to close the track, where illegal betting openly took place. This heavily illustrated program explores the dog track’s short history and the stories of the racketeers who owned it. And, like much of Pittsburgh history, there’s a South Side connection! Presented by Dr. David Rotenstein, a historian and writer documenting the social history of vice in Pittsburgh. He is also the proprietor of Steel City Vice (walking tours, public programs) and he writes for several local news organizations. Recommended for adults.