Nucky Johnson ran Atlantic City in the early 20th century, using the wealth he gained from his bootlegging and casino operations to control the city’s political machine.
The Mob MuseumEnoch “ Nucky ” Johnson played a significant role in the ontogenesis of Atlantic City , New Jersey — especially its vice industry .
Atlantic City mount to popularity by becoming “ The World ’s Playground ” in the early 20th century . During the Prohibition geological era , whoredom , play , alcohol , and any and all other vice could be readily found in the New Jersey coastal town , provided guest had the money to ante up for them . And that ’s largely thanks to one humans : Enoch “ Nucky ” Johnson .
Because of Johnson , Prohibition never really made it to Atlantic City . It was a place where mass could go to drink off their troubles and chance away their money — which proved extremely lucrative for Johnson and the gentleman’s gentleman in his circle .
The Mob MuseumEnoch “Nucky” Johnson played a significant role in the development of Atlantic City, New Jersey — especially its vice industry.
The wealth and influence Johnson acquired as a result of his bootlegging mental process and cassino also gave him tight control over the political landscape of Atlantic City . Through graft and favor , Johnson all but ran the local Republican machine and kept law enforcement and political leader alike in his pocket .
And with the power he win , Johnson went on to establish his Boardwalk Empire .
Nucky Johnson’s Early Life And Rise To Power
bear Enoch Lewis Johnson on Jan. 20 , 1883 , Nucky Johnson was the son of Smith Johnson , an elected Sheriff in Atlantic County .
In 1905 , at the eld of 19 , Nucky — derived from his first name , Enoch — settle to adopt in his father ’s footsteps , becoming his undersheriff .
In 1906 , Johnson marry his puerility sweetheart , Mabel Jeffries . For a time , he attended the New Jersey State Normal School ( now the College of New Jersey ) before abandon his studies in favor of his political calling . Then , Nucky Johnson , like his Padre before him , was elected Sheriff of Atlantic County in 1908 . A yr later , he was appoint to the place of executive secretary of the Atlantic County Republican Executive Committee .
Wikimedia CommonsLouis “Commodore” Kuehnle.
In 1911 , Louis “ Commodore ” Kuehnle , then the head of the Atlantic City political machine , and several others were saddle with putrefaction — include Johnson . While Kuehnle was ultimately convict and sent to prison , Johnson was acquitted , leave him innocent to take over the city ’s Republican party .
Wikimedia CommonsLouis “ Commodore ” Kuehnle .
In 1914 , Johnson took a position as county treasurer , which granted him unequalled access to Atlantic City ’s investment trust . He start to grow the local frailty touristry industry , promoting harlotry and allow the service of alcohol on Sundays , all the while accepting kickbacks and corrupted political science contracts .
Wikimedia CommonsNucky Johnson and Al Capone on the Atlantic City boardwalk.
Although he never ran for an elected political office , Nucky Johnson ’s money and city government influence meant he held a lot of sway in Atlantic City political relation . He is credited with helping to get multiple New Jersey regulator elected .
By 1920 , Johnson was already swear heavily on prostitution and gaming to aim theAtlantic Cityeconomy , piss himself very rich in the process . But when forbiddance hit , Johnson saw an opportunity for Atlantic City – and himself .
How Prohibition Turned Atlantic City Into A Bootlegging Empire
Atlantic City rapidly became a major porthole for illegally spell alcohol on the East Coast , and it was mostly thanks to Nucky Johnson and his bootlegging operations . Johnson was able-bodied to provide spirits to speakeasies and clubs across the city , and before long , it became a internal tourist destination for prostitution , gaming , and alcoholic drink .
Meanwhile , Johnson admit a track of every illegal activity that take place in Atlantic City , reportedly cause over $ 500,000 a twelvemonth in the process — the combining weight of more or less $ 8 to 12 million today . And he used the wealthiness he accrue from the vice industry to exert even soused control over the metropolis ’s politics .
But his compass extend far beyond the confines of New Jersey . As a prominent racketeer and deplorable boss , he regularly did business with the Mafia , forming close ties to some of its leading fellow member . And presently , he was exerting his influence over the mob , too .
Wikimedia Commons/HBOThe real-life Nucky Johnson (left) compared with Steve Buscemi’s Nucky Thompson fromBoardwalk Empire.
While much of what transpired during the group discussion continue a mystery , some historian say that the National Crime Syndicate was found during these discussions .
Wikimedia CommonsNucky Johnson and Al Capone on the Atlantic City boardwalk .
The Fall Of Nucky Johnson
The end of Prohibition bring new troubles for Nucky Johnson . Bootlegged alcohol , one of Atlantic City ’s main source of income , was no longer necessary . The Great Depression also took a cost on the city ’s touristry industry . Meanwhile , Johnson was facing increased examination from the Union governing .
Johnson had never hold back a peculiarly low profile . Known as the “ Czar of the Ritz , ” he take out the entire ninth trading floor of the Ritz - Carlton Hotel as his menage . He was fond of expensive clothing and regularly wore a crimson carnation as a boutonnière . His lavish parties , limousines , and other showy displays of wealth drew attention — and he also did n’t put much movement into obliterate how he had made his money .
“ We have whiskey , wine , women , strain , and slot machines , ” he once said of his beloved Atlantic City , according to theMob Museum . “ I wo n’t deny it and I wo n’t apologize for it . If the majority of the people did n’t want them they would n’t be profitable and they would not be . The fact that they do live attempt to me that the masses want them . ”
Eventually , the feds began to crack down on Atlantic City and the leader of its frailty industry .
In 1939 , Johnson was indicted for income tax evasion . He was sentenced to ten years in federal prison and fined $ 20,000 . However , he serve only four of those ten age before being parole — and reportedly avoided ever paying the fine by taking a pauper ’s oath .
How DoesBoardwalk EmpireCompare To The Real Story Of Nucky Johnson?
Nucky Johnson remains an American icon , instrumental to the creation of Atlantic City . Like many ikon , his story has been retold — and exaggerated — through various fabricated portrayals . Most excellently , he inhale Steve Buscemi ’s graphic symbol , Nucky Thompson , in the democratic HBO seriesBoardwalk Empire .
Wikimedia Commons / HBOThe real - biography Nucky Johnson ( left ) equate with Steve Buscemi ’s Nucky Thompson fromBoardwalk Empire .
Like the real Johnson , Buscemi ’s Nucky Thompson is a showy cassino kingpin and crime boss who utilise his wealthiness and power to wield total control over Atlantic City politics . However , the show as a whole is largely fictional , taking only liberal intake from Nucky Johnson ’s life and embellishing aspects of it for striking effect .
And while the serial publication makes Nucky Thompson out to be a violent mobster uncoerced to mangle those who get in his way , in real life , there ’s no grounds that Nucky Johnson ever killed anyone . Despite his ties to organized law-breaking , he was reportedly so powerful and well - respected that he never need to exercise violence in club to build his empire .
“ Johnson prevail with a velvet cock , ” theNew York Timeswrote in 2014 . “ His power was such that he never needed force to get his way . ”
After learning about Nucky Johnson , conform to Frank Costello , the crime syndicate boss who inspiredThe Godfather . Then , meet26 other legendary gangster from the 1920s .
