The Toledo History Museum opens up the seamier side of Toledo’s past with a new bus tour of notorious locations called Glass City Garters, Gambling, Gangsters and Gin.
The monthly bus tours begin and end downtown on October 7, November 4, and December 2. Dates for 2024 will be announced later.
Historians point to Toledo’s history as a major rail hub, big into coal shipping and ship building. There was, however, a much seedier side to Toledo.
“As we moved into the 20th century Toledo was a city of drinkers with one bar for every 300 residents, prostitution was considered a legitimate occupation with women of the night being licensed, and the city was notorious for its gambling,” said Donna Christian Rehfeldt, president of the museum. “Not to mention, believe it or not, the city was considered a safe haven for out-of-town gangsters.”
Ms. Rehfeldt is one of the hosts for the two-hour bus tour.
“We’ll point out where the big gambling spots were located and talk about the notables who ran them, explain how city leaders managed the prostitution industry as we ride through what was called the ‘tenderloin district,’ and point out where hoodlums exchanged gunfire in broad daylight,” she said.
Tickets for the tour are $30 for museum members and $35 for non-members. Seating on the bus is limited.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ToledoHistoryMuseum.org.
