American Prohibition Museum

Evil Times

In past posts, I have touched upon the evil times from 1920 to 1933 known as Prohibition. During this time, some non-drinking, do-gooders managed to pass an amendment denying descent, law abiding Americans their right to legally consume alcohol. Beyond denying our right to drink, the evil times of Prohibition triggered many interesting societal changes. My brief and flawed research indicated that there is no better source to explore these issues than the American Prohibition Museum in Savannah, Georgia.

So, on a recent trip through southeastern USA, Carol and I hooked up with our good friend and local guide, THE Margaritaville Kid, to experience the American Prohibition Museum.

Law of Unintended Consequences

There was too much to learn and experience at this museum for me to regurgitate it all in this post. Instead, I will focus on some interesting, unintended consequences of Prohibition that the do-gooders never foresaw.

To start things off, how about organized crime. Crime has always existed, but it was typically small scale and unorganized. However, with Prohibition, the criminal element filled the void in alcohol manufacturing and distribution. With that significant increase in revenue, the small criminal element became a large scale, organized institution of crime.

Thank you do-gooders for getting organized crime off to a good start.

Other Bad Things that I Learned

Beyond the rise of organized crime, l learned all sorts of bad things came from Prohibition…

• Income taxes…In those days, a very large portion of local, state, and federal revenue came from taxes on alcohol. When alcohol tax revenue went away, most governments increased their dependance on income tax.
• While alcohol consumption did not decrease with Prohibition, alcohol related deaths did. Thousands died annually from tainted bootleg alcohol.
• Prohibition caused massive job loss in breweries, distilleries, farmers supplying corn, coopers making barrels…etc. etc.
• With the absence of alcohol, there was a significant increase in the use of opium, cocaine and prescription drugs

It was clear, Prohibition was greatly failing its intended purpose.

It was not All Bad

Jazz would be one fun unintended Prohibition consequence. The illegal Speakeasies competed to provide fun and lively atmospheres to consume their bootleg. The style of Jazz seemed to thrive in the underground world of Speakeasies. The same was true for fashion. For example, “flappers” became the rage of women’s Speakeasy fashions.

Speaking of entertainment, how about NASCAR. Its a logical evolution. Moonshiners need supped up cars to outrunner federal revenuers. These rednecks start bragging about their cars. So, they start racing each other. Someone organizes it…boom…you have NASCAR. I may have over simplified.

Getting back to Speakeasies

Once you have walked the entire museum and learned all there is to know. Well, you work up a thirst. What better way to resolve this problem at a Prohibition Museum than a Speakeasy. Rather than forcing you through a crumby gift shop, the end of this museum has its own Speakeasy.

All self-respecting Speakeasies require a password for entry. Thankfully, we had THE Margaritaville Kid. This guy knows all the passwords for all the local Speakeasies. Once inside, the beverage of choice was an easy decision.

BTW…I lied. They still forced us through a crumby gift shop after the Speakeasy.

Wrap It Up

Did you know that Walgreens grew from 20 to 500 stores through providing “medicinal whiskey” during Prohibition. Enough…stop it…no more unintended consequences. In summary, the American Prohibition Museum was interesting, fun, and there was a Speakeasy at the end. Its all good. If you find yourself in Savannah, GA, allow a couple hours for the American Prohibition Museum. Have a wonderful day. PT

I hope you have enjoyed reading “American Prohibition Museum” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

Here was an earlier post on Prohibition… https://travelingwithpt.com/shame-shame-shame/

If you want to visit the museum… https://www.americanprohibitionmuseum.com/

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