Most DKErs don't know this, but I serve as a Teacher's Assistant for an honors 11th grade US History course. (Yes, I am still in high school, but my school, New Trier Township High School, allows students who really excelled at a class to serve as teacher's assistants for their old teacher in that class.) What this responsibility entails is going to class 2-3x a week and teaching a lesson those days. Some days, I'm even given the floor for the entire period (about once a week).
So, my lesson on Monday is a 40 minute lesson and potentially a discussion (that I'll lead) on the history of political machines and political machines today, as well as the history of urban politics (especially how ethnic voters behaved).
So I can create an even more interesting lesson plan, I figured I'd come to RRH/DKE too ask all of the political junkies here and on RRH about their favorite political machines from the past/present and also if their area/county/city once had or currently has a strong and interesting political machine.
I remember RyanInDelCo (Swingnuts will remember him) talking about the DelCo War Board GOP Machine and I found that pretty interesting. Maybe the rest of you have some interesting insight on the machines of the past and present!