Scenes From the Prohibition Era Like You’ve Never Seen

Prohibition was a result of efforts by the temperance movement that started in the mid-1800s. At the time, it was estimated that people as young as 15 were drinking an average of 7 gallons per year, which is astounding compared to today's average of 2.51 gallons per the NIAAA. Prohibition went into effect on January 17, 1920, and brewing/distilling, transporting, and selling alcohol became illegal on that day. Explore this part of our nation's history through 15 scenes from the Prohibition Era that depict how much it impacted the nation. (Also learn how "This Proposed Amendment Would Have Made Divorce Illegal.")

A large part of the push for Prohibition was due to women who were dismayed by their husband's drinking. Blaming their husband's abusive behavior or lack of attention to their family, women pushed to ban alcohol permanently. The Women's Christian Temperance Union presented their petition to the government.

One thing to consider is that alcohol consumption wasn't illegal. It was only illegal to manufacture, sell, and transport beer, wine, vodka, rum, whiskey, and all other alcoholic beverages. Getting hold of alcohol when it couldn't be manufactured proved challenging.

Once Prohibition went into law, raids happened in cities across the U.S. from San Francisco, to Chicago, to Boston. During raids, seized cases, kegs, or barrels were brought outside to be destroyed or poured into sewer drains or down streets. Bostonians opted to smash beer bottles against a brick building.

In place of the whiskey and beer that were popular in bars across the nation, milk-based beverages were promoted as a suitable replacement. The National Dairy Show in New York highlighted the non-alcoholic cocktails that could be served in bars instead.

Existing breweries switched to producing ice cream during Prohibition. Barrels and tanks filled with fresh cream that was churned with ingredients and frozen to form ice cream. Brewery-made ice cream could then be sold in stores or roadside stands, including this unique stand made out of a giant wooden barrel.

While alcohol was illegal, an exception was made for Passover. Jewish people could go to specific locations to purchase red wine for Passover.

While alcohol production, sales, and transportation were illegal, it didn't stop people. Hidden breweries and moonshine distilleries popped up around the nation to provide people with the drinks they wanted and that was taken to speakeasies. Keeping basement and backyard operations hidden was a new challenge.

People think of car chases as the way moonshiners avoided authorities. They had many other tricks up their sleeves. In this case, they created false soles to put on their shoes that looked like cow hooves.

Because authorities were looking for bottles, kegs, and barrels, bootleggers had to be sneaky. Steel torpedoes provided a sneaky way to transport alcohol by boat.

Prohibition helped establish some men as the greatest gangsters of all time. Al Capone's rise in bootlegging was one of many criminal activities that helped him amass an estimated $100 million in revenues during Prohibition.

With dwindling revenues, President Roosevelt was instrumental in repealing Prohibition. He knew liquor tax revenues were essential in restoring cash flow and passed the Beer and Wine Revenue Act. He also allowed states to make their own decision on whether or not to have dry laws.

Because President Roosevelt allowed states to decide their state alcohol laws, Mississippi kept Prohibition in place until 1966. As of 2024, the state still has 34 dry counties. It's legal to homebrew or make wine at home for personal consumption, but there is a limit of 100 or 200 gallons per year. It's illegal if you live in a dry county.

Once Prohibition ended, business owners lined up to get new liquor licenses. There was high demand and desire to reopen their former bars and pubs or open new establishments.

Once Prohibition ended, patrons could drink legally in public. Makeshift bars popped up in city streets to celebrate.

When all was said and done, the U.S. Government lost out on about $11 billion in tax revenues. Income taxes were established to make up for the lost tax revenue. When Prohibition was repealed, the government kept income taxes in addition to the returning liquor tax.

Prohibition didn't last long. Gambling and prostitution increased, and gangsters like Al Capone made millions bootlegging. Prohibition was repealed on December 5, 1933. (Find your state's most popular alcoholic drink here.)