Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Selling the Brooklyn Bridge
Aug 17, 2022
Discover the outrageous tale of George C. Parker, a con artist notorious for selling the Brooklyn Bridge and other landmarks. Hear how he exploited gullibility and duped countless victims with his audacious scams. The podcast dives into an 1800s scam that targeted immigrants, revealing the bridge's symbolic weight in American culture. Explore the absurdity of this legendary con and its implications in today's world, all while pondering the fine line between value and deception.
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The Brooklyn Bridge Scam
- George C. Parker famously sold the Brooklyn Bridge repeatedly.
- He targeted hopeful, often newly arrived immigrants with this scam.
Targeting Immigrants
- Many immigrants arriving in the late 1800s were vulnerable to scams.
- Some con men even used informants at Ellis Island to identify potential targets.
Parker's Sales Pitch
- Parker would convince victims of his ownership with forged documents.
- He would entice them with the prospect of collecting tolls, promising quick riches.