James Michael Curley dominated Boston politics throughout the 1920s. He served as mayor for much of the decade, presenting himself as a champion for the Irish working class. He built public parks, hospitals, and bathhouses in poor neighborhoods to gain loyalty. To fund these massive projects, he raised taxes on the wealthy Protestant elite who lived in Beacon Hill. His administration operated on a system of patronage, where supporters received city jobs in exchange for votes. He often governed from his mansion on the Jamaicway, a house with shamrock shutters that became a symbol of his power.
The Birth of the Ponzi Scheme
In 1920, a small office on School Street became the center of a financial frenzy. Charles Ponzi, an Italian immigrant, promised investors a 50 percent return on their money in just 45 days. He claimed he made these profits by trading international postal reply coupons. Thousands of Bostonians emptied their savings accounts to hand him cash. The police had to control the crowds lining up outside his door. The scheme collapsed in August when a newspaper investigation revealed he had no way to pay the returns. The resulting crash wiped out millions of dollars from local families and banks.
“Banned in Boston”
During this decade, the city gained a reputation for strict moral censorship. An organization called the Watch and Ward Society held immense power over what people could read or watch. Their agents scanned bookstores and theaters for any content they considered indecent. They successfully banned works by famous authors like Ernest Hemingway and Sinclair Lewis. Theater producers often had to modify their plays to perform in the city. Publishers in New York actually used the label “Banned in Boston” as a marketing tool, knowing it would increase sales in the rest of the country.
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Rum-Running on the Coast
Despite the national law prohibiting alcohol, Boston remained a very “wet” city. Its location on the Atlantic coast made it a prime entry point for illegal liquor. Smugglers brought ships loaded with rum and whiskey from the Caribbean and Canada to the edge of U.S. waters. Smaller, faster boats met these supply ships at night to ferry the cargo to hidden coves and wharves around Boston Harbor. The Coast Guard fought a constant battle against these rum-runners. Speakeasies operated openly in the city, often disguised as soda shops or private clubs, where police officers frequently looked the other way.
The Red Sox Decline
The 1920s marked a bleak turning point for Boston sports fans. In January 1920, the Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold his star player, Babe Ruth, to the New York Yankees to finance a theater production. This trade signaled the end of the team’s dominance. While Ruth went on to break home run records in New York, the Red Sox finished in last place for nine out of the ten years in the decade. Fenway Park, once the home of champions, saw dwindling crowds as the team struggled to compete. The focus of the city’s sports energy shifted briefly to the Boston Braves or college football
