Since at least the 1920s, organized crime made a mark in the Midwest city of St. Louis, Missouri, even though there wasn’t an official St. Louis Crime Family, per se — at least not initially.
Originally, the city was split among various disjointed, semi-independent gangs and mobs such as The Cuckoos Gang, The Pillow Gang, and The Green Ones Gang. They competed for rackets and turf.
Among many other small ethnic gangs, the last two groups mentioned above were Italian-based gangs. But in general, these gangs were viewed as disjointed without strong central leadership for many years.
The advent of prohibition in 1920 greatly helped and hindered these various groups of racketeers because of the tremendous profits generated by liquor bootlegging. The gangs would fight bloody battles amongst themselves as they competed for power, money, and supremacy. The carnage raged for over a decade.
At some later point in time, the Cosa Nostra Family based in nearby Kansas City was said to have sent emissaries to St. Louis in order to try and harness the city’s resources, better organize its rackets, and bring peace among rival racketeers.
They succeeded, and from that time forward, there was a formal, recognized “Family” of Cosa Nostra residing in this city.
Note: For a full pictorial membership chart, please see The Giordano Family Membership Chart.
