A Prohibition exhibit opens at The Marion County Museum & Archives, located at the west end of Second Street in Columbia in the old Train Depot near City Hall.
The FREE exhibit is now on display following the history of Prohibition and the illegal moonshine activities in Marion County. The worst of the illegal liquor days culminated in the assassination of Sheriff J. V. Polk in April of 1960.
Visitors will find some interesting information in this exhibit such as:
Early colonists uses for liquor as safer than water, advertising from breweries and unique “terms” used related to Prohibition:
“SPEAKEASY” - also called a blind pig or blind tiger, is an illicit establishment that sells alcoholic beverages. Such establishments came into prominence in the United States during the Prohibition era (1920–1933, longer in some states).
“BOOTLEGGER” – Someone who carries illicit items in the legs of tall boots. During Prohibition, liquor was the illicit item and often transported by women as they were less likely to be suspected.
Advertising – In order to increase liquor sales in the early 1900’s, breweries began advertising the health advantages of feeding lager to your toddlers.
Come enjoy the exhibit on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
