The Ducky Boys gang
Encyclopedia
The Ducky Boys gang was a purported Irish gang from The Bronx, New York.
According to Richard Price's book (and movie) The Wanderers
, The Ducky Boys were "stunted Irish madmen, none of them over 5 foot 6". They were also portrayed in the movie as soul-less killers who never said a word.
For many Bronxites, the Ducky Gang was one of those mythical gangs that many people heard of, but rarely saw. They have been called the "Boogeymen of The Bronx."
The Ducky Boys main turf encompassed Norwood, Bronx
, the New York Botanical Garden
and Bronx Park
near French Charlie's field, specifically the Balcony at E 204th off Webster Avenue
, The Tunnels (under Theodore Kazimiroff Blvd.) Twin Lakes (The Ducky, aka Duck Pond), and PS 46 schoolyard.
The Ducky Boys were notorious in the area of the "Duck" Pond (Twin Lakes in Botanical Gardens) in the early '60s to their eventual fading out circa 1972. Many of the members went on to the Vietnam War
or were drafted, between 1965 and 1968.
There were a few things people found out about the Ducky Boys. They were experts with slingshots. Cats Eye was their brand of shot and there were a lot of them. One thing The Wanderers
got right was that when they fought, they were usually in huge numbers.
In August 2010, the book Lost Boys of The Bronx - The Oral History of the Ducky Boys Gang was published by James Hannon
telling the story of the Ducky Boys Gang using interviews with the former gang members and neighborhood residents of the time.
According to Richard Price's book (and movie) The Wanderers
The Wanderers (1979 film)
The Wanderers is a 1979 greaser film based on the novel by Richard Price .-Overview:...
, The Ducky Boys were "stunted Irish madmen, none of them over 5 foot 6". They were also portrayed in the movie as soul-less killers who never said a word.
For many Bronxites, the Ducky Gang was one of those mythical gangs that many people heard of, but rarely saw. They have been called the "Boogeymen of The Bronx."
The Ducky Boys main turf encompassed Norwood, Bronx
Norwood, Bronx
Norwood is a working class residential neighborhood in the northwest Bronx, New York City. As of the census of 2000, the seven census tracts that make up the neighborhood have a population of 40,748...
, the New York Botanical Garden
New York Botanical Garden
- See also :* Education in New York City* List of botanical gardens in the United States* List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City- External links :* official website** blog*...
and Bronx Park
Bronx Park
Bronx Park, laid out along the Bronx River in the Bronx, New York, is the home of the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo. Bicycle paths go northwest, north and east, along Mosholu Parkway, Bronx River Parkway and Pelham Parkway respectively...
near French Charlie's field, specifically the Balcony at E 204th off Webster Avenue
Webster Avenue
Webster Avenue is one of the longest thoroughfares in the Bronx. It stretches for 5.8 miles from Melrose to Woodlawn . The road starts at an intersection with Melrose Avenue, East 165th Street, Brook Avenue and Park Avenue in Melrose, ending at Nereid Avenue and East 240th Street in the town of...
, The Tunnels (under Theodore Kazimiroff Blvd.) Twin Lakes (The Ducky, aka Duck Pond), and PS 46 schoolyard.
The Ducky Boys were notorious in the area of the "Duck" Pond (Twin Lakes in Botanical Gardens) in the early '60s to their eventual fading out circa 1972. Many of the members went on to the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
or were drafted, between 1965 and 1968.
There were a few things people found out about the Ducky Boys. They were experts with slingshots. Cats Eye was their brand of shot and there were a lot of them. One thing The Wanderers
The Wanderers (1979 film)
The Wanderers is a 1979 greaser film based on the novel by Richard Price .-Overview:...
got right was that when they fought, they were usually in huge numbers.
In August 2010, the book Lost Boys of The Bronx - The Oral History of the Ducky Boys Gang was published by James Hannon
James Hannon
James Hannon was born in 1967 in Norwood, Bronx, New York. He is an Irish-American author and filmmaker who is best known for his documentary on the 1960s garage band Richard and the Young Lions called "Out of Our Dens: The Richard and the Young Lions Story"...
telling the story of the Ducky Boys Gang using interviews with the former gang members and neighborhood residents of the time.
External links
- Ducky Boy Documentary producer Lantern-Media.com website
- The Stone Greasers - features comments from a real Ducky that debunk the myths
- AuthorHouse Publishing - Link to the publisher page for Lost Boys in the Bronx - The Oral History of the Ducky Boys Gang