Shame, shame, shame

No shocker…I view the Prohibition Era as a very dark time in history. Furthermore, did you know the importance of today’s January 16 date? On this day in 1919, our country ratified the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. Subsequently, this amendment led the way for the eventual nation wide prohibition on alcohol. Shame, shame, shame… Again, I am well aware of the national shame that was Prohibition. But, I did not know that I live very close to the epicenter of this movement. Furthermore, the very building largely responsible for the success of this movement still stands. This tragic place is now a museum dedicated to the people and events of the Prohibition Era (1920 to 1933).

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Westerville, Ohio, is a nice college town suburb, northeast of Columbus. However, it holds a dark past. In 1858, the town passed the original laws banning the local sale of alcohol. Sometime in the 1870s, the town received national attention with the Westerville Whiskey Wars. As the story goes, a great patriot, named Henry Corbin, pushed back on this local legislation. Bravely, Henry attempted to open a couple taverns. Then, some misguided, self righteous, citizens proceeded to blow up his taverns. Yes, I mean dynamited them to oblivion. Naturally, this community commitment attracted the attention and admiration of the Anti Saloon League. So, in 1909, the ASL established their headquarters in Westerville at the building pictured above. Over the next decade, this building guided the propaganda and lobbying efforts that led to the Prohibition amendment.

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The Anti Saloon League did a lot of lobbying to promote their movement. But, their other major tool was the printing of propaganda. To that end, the ASL created the American Issue Publishing Company. A portrait of Ernst Cherrington, managing editor, looms on the museum wall. This publishing company was the main function of the Westerville building. Reportedly, 40 tons of anti-alcohol propaganda spilled forth from the building every month. The museum maintains many examples of these publications. But, this is my favorite…

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Apparently, the Modern Devil Fish represents the saloons, which is getting crushed by the Prohibition Party. Be sure to read the tentacles to learn about all the evils of alcohol. Anyway, the museum has many examples of propaganda and other artifacts. They also explore several of the social issues and unintended consequences of Prohibition. In all practicality, the birth of organized crime was Prohibition. Somebody had to organize the distribution of illegal alcohol. Additionally, the speakeasies and other underground liquor outlets had significant impact on fashion and music of the day.

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Well, long story short, Prohibition lost support with each passing year. Organized crime got rich on alcohol profits. Finally, the leverage swung back to the reasonable thinking portion of our society. Consequently, on December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. Certainly, its probably one of the clearest and briefest of Amendments. Section 1 merely says…“The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.” So, raise a glass and toast the great 21st Amendment…CHEERS! Sadly, it was not until 73 years later that the town of Westerville actually got on board. Shame, shame, shame Have a nice day. PT

Thank you for reading “Shame, shame, shame” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

If you enjoyed that post, try this one https://travelingwithpt.com/declassifying-project-greek-island/

For more about the ASL’s effort in Westerville, visit here https://www.westervillelibrary.org/AntiSaloon/