Brooklyn Bridge Sold By Con Man Bending Reality

About this episode

The episode explores the life of George C. Parker, a con man who sold the Brooklyn Bridge and other iconic landmarks to unsuspecting immigrants.

George C. Parker spent 30 years selling the Brooklyn Bridge to confused immigrants arriving at Ellis Island—sometimes twice a week—along with Grant's Tomb, the Statue of Liberty, and Madison Square Garden. He had forged deeds so convincing that victims would literally set up toll booths and try charging people to cross before police shut them down. The con worked so well and so often that we still say "I've got a bridge to sell you" today, and Parker died in Sing Sing after making that phrase permanent American slang.

People in this episode

Host: Charlie Cruz

Topics covered

• con man
• fraud
• American slang
• historical crime
• immigration
• New York City

Keywords

• Brooklyn Bridge
• George C. Parker
• con man
• fraud
• Ellis Island
• American slang
• historical crime

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, Grant's Tomb, Statue of Liberty, Madison Square Garden, Sing Sing

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