Why was Newport once a "den of iniquity"? (Louisville: appointed, crime)

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

What factors made Newport a one-time place full of vice?

[EricOldTime]

The whole country's become a den of iniquity these days. I don't know what you mean? Like a "place of ill repute?" Top be honest, I didn't know it ever was LOL

[CraigCreek]

Oh, it was. Illegal gambling, drugs, prostitution, booze, strip joints, mob-owned "businesses" of various kinds, corrupt elected and appointed local leadership who were paid off: you name it, Newport had it back in the fifties and early sixties - and perhaps a bit later.

Meanwhile, ultra-conservative Cincinnati was (conveniently) right across the river, and provided much of these "establishments" clientele.

Thankfully, Newport cleaned itself up, under pressure from the state and decent local residents. Great place to visit now, unless visitors are expecting to find its previous "attractions" still around.

[EricOldTime]

Originally Posted by CraigCreek

Oh, it was. Illegal gambling, drugs, prostitution, booze, strip joints, mob-owned "businesses" of various kinds, corrupt elected and appointed local leadership who were paid off: you name it, Newport had it back in the fifties and early sixties - and perhaps a bit later.

Meanwhile, ultra-conservative Cincinnati was (conveniently) right across the river, and provided much of these "establishments" clientele.

Thankfully, Newport cleaned itself up, under pressure from the state and decent local residents. Great place to visit now, unless visitors are expecting to find its previous "attractions" still around.

Interesting had no idea...find that surprising in a state noted for it's traditional down-home folks, Church on Sunday, dry counties and the like...

[CraigCreek]

There are some very interesting and quite detailed online accounts of Newport's long history of corruption - just search for "Newport Kentucky" "crime", and they should pop right up. That history goes back many decades prior to the 1950s I previously cited, and the corruption was deeply embedded in local government and law enforcement. All of it was linked to/run by organized crime - the mob, with the big fish (not the ones in the present-day Newport Aquarium) running things from a safe distance, via local surrogates.

[censusdata]

Seems like in American and perhaps beyond the smaller city across from the larger city tends to be home to more illegal activity and organized. I suspect this is because it is near the city but has less regulations and a smaller police force that is easier to bribe.

Trivia: right across from Louisville... Clarksville Indiana first became a popular destinations for Kentuckians when Louisville has the audacity to outlaw Dueling LOL