The Carlson Conversations Lecture Series invites the community to hear from local historian and author Doug Tracy, who will share fascinating stories from his great-grandfather, Lewis B. Tracy, the captain of detectives in Toledo.
Tracy will draw from his recently published book, “Times, Crimes, and the Tenderloin in Pre-Prohibition Toledo: True Stories from the Memoirs of Captain of Detectives Lewis B. Tracy” for his lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, in Carlson Library Room 1005.
Local historian and author Doug Tracy will share fascinating stories from his great-grandfather, Lewis B. Tracy, the captain of detectives in Toledo, at 3 p.m. Thursday in Carlson Library Room 1005.
Nearly 20 years ago, Tracy discovered a treasure trove of his great-grandfather’s personal scrapbooks, revealing the remarkable career of Lewis B. Tracy. A respected detective who served in Toledo from 1898 through 1921, Lewis Tracy’s memoirs offer an insightful glimpse into Toledo’s Red-Light District, known as the Tenderloin or Vice Zone.
In 1915, Lewis Tracy was appointed to oversee Toledo’s notorious Tenderloin — a district south of the city notorious for its brothels, saloons, gambling dens and street crime. The area was rife with pickpockets, drug addicts, prostitutes and criminals of all kinds. Despite the area’s reputation, Lewis Tracy became known not only for his skill in law enforcement but also for his empathy toward those trapped in the district’s vice.
Join us for this fascinating lecture as Tracy delves into a pivotal chapter of Toledo’s history and sheds light on the remarkable legacy of his great-grandfather.
