My grandma’s great uncle actually was Joe Roscoe. He would smuggle alcohol during the Great Depression, he’d buy it from Canada, and then sell it in America to make a ton of money. He in fact, owned Middle Island, dominated Ohio, and even owned a boat, a helicopter pad, and a helicopter.
The island, located south of Pelee Island, was well known for being a great spot for fishing, but a gangster from the Toledo area named Joe Roscoe saw its potential as a tourist attraction, and its strategic value when it comes to cross-border smuggling.
The island, located south of Pelee Island, was well known for being a great spot for fishing, but a gangster from the Toledo area named Joe Roscoe saw its potential as a tourist attraction, and its strategic value when it comes to cross-border smuggling.
Because of Middle Island's proximity to the American-Canadian border, it was an ideal location for alcohol smugglers of the early twentieth century to transport their cargo. Rumrunners were able to transport illicit drink from Canada to the U.S., all the while enjoying the debauchery the hotel had to offer.
My wife thinks that you need to be in very good shape to kayak from Pelée Island. Alternatively you can come with a sailboat and kayak to the shore from the boat.
My grandma’s great uncle actually was Joe Roscoe. He would smuggle alcohol during the Great Depression, he’d buy it from Canada, and then sell it in America to make a ton of money. He in fact, owned Middle Island, dominated Ohio, and even owned a boat, a helicopter pad, and a helicopter.
Impressive. Below is what you can read online. Thanks for bringing this to the viewers attention.
The island, located south of Pelee Island, was well known for being a great spot for fishing, but a gangster from the Toledo area named Joe Roscoe saw its potential as a tourist attraction, and its strategic value when it comes to cross-border smuggling.
The island, located south of Pelee Island, was well known for being a great spot for fishing, but a gangster from the Toledo area named Joe Roscoe saw its potential as a tourist attraction, and its strategic value when it comes to cross-border smuggling.
Because of Middle Island's proximity to the American-Canadian border, it was an ideal location for alcohol smugglers of the early twentieth century to transport their cargo.
Rumrunners were able to transport illicit drink from Canada to the U.S., all the while enjoying the debauchery the hotel had to offer.
Today, what remains of the gangster lifestyle on Middle Island is a distant memory, according to a representative from Parks Canada.
There used to be a casino on it
In the basement of the hotel.
were you filming from ohio?
From Ohio going to Pelee.Am I answering your question?
From Ohio going to Pelee. Am I answering your question?
The southernmost point of Canadian Land, Middle Island in Lake Erie
Exactly!
I have read that some people kayak from Pelee Island to Middle Island and explore the latter by foot. Is this feasible/legal I wonder
It is a private island. So this is trespassing.
@@CARANDTRAIN thanks, fascinating video. Sorry but was the island sold or does it still remain property of Parks Canada?
@mark buckingham The island sold for a million dollars. So it is private property as it used to be decades ago.
My wife thinks that you need to be in very good shape to kayak from Pelée Island. Alternatively you can come with a sailboat and kayak to the shore from the boat.
@@CARANDTRAIN thanks for the update, seems like I missed my chance!
Al Capone never came this far east because this island and area were Purple Gang Turf.
Hi, this is interesting. Do you have more detailed info to share. The Pelee Island museum mentions Al Capone.
If you told me it was for sale for either $8,000,000 or $800,000 i would've guessed the former.
I completely agree.