The Vanderbilts

I always hears about the Vanderbilts. I know that comparing someone to the Vanderbilt's means that they have a lot of money. I know they could buy all of the diamonds & Broward county real estate that they want. I know that I didn't look good in Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in the 1980's. However, I don't know exactly who the Vanderbilts are, so it was time to do some investigating. Here is what I found:

• Cornelius Vanderbilt was a shipping & railroad tycoon. I always try to buy the railroads when I'm playing monopoly, so I feel a connection there.

• The head of the family always inherits the Civil War gold medal that Cornelius received for donating his steamer to the Union.

• There were once ten great Vanderbilt mansions in NYC, they've all since been torn down.

• Vanderbilts are no longer considered among the world's richest people. In fact, one of their direct descendants is rumored to have died penniless. Looks like I need to rethink my monopoly strategy.