Flamboyant Facts About Bugsy Siegel, The Wiseguy Who Built Vegas
The Wiseguy Who Built Vegas
The roots of Las Vegas have their stories—and some of those stories trace back to the rowdy streets of New York City, and the legend himself, Bugsy Siegel.
Famous for bootlegging, gambling, and use of force, this icon led quite a life in his 41 years. Without him, “Sin City” just wouldn’t be the same.
1. He Had A Rough Start
“Bugsy” Siegel was born Benjamin Siegel on February 28, 1906, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the second of five children born to Ashkenazi Jewish parents.
The family did not do very well financially and lived in a rat-infested apartment across the bridge from the lower east side of Manhattan, known heavily for being a pretty rough place at the time.
Siegel’s siblings worked hard in school to overcome their circumstances—but Siegal found influence in the streets.
2. He Found Company
During his youth, Siegel abandoned school and joined a group of friends on Lafayette Street in Manhattan—but there was a dark side to their camaraderie. The group mostly carried out thefts, and Siegel quickly earned a reputation for himself amongst the crew—which included a pretty interesting cast of characters.
3. He Offered Refuge
Although the exact origin of their friendship is unknown, Siegel became pretty well acquainted with another young gangster Al Capone during his youth. They developed such a close bond that when Capone was running away from the authorities, Siegel offered Capone a hiding place in his aunt’s home. Siegel seemed fearless and by a lot of accounts, he was kind of “out there”, which in turn, earned him a new name.
4. He Became Bugsy
Siegel’s rambunctious attitude and high energy stood out noticeably from his fellow crew members. They referred to him as “crazier than a bed bug” and the name “Bugsy” was born—but there’s something about the nickname that few people know. Siegel actually detested the nickname, and nobody dared call him it to his face.
Without anyone outwardly calling him out, Siegel continued to make a scene in the streets, and he soon met a friend.
