Columbus Neighborhoods
The Surprising Reason Liquor Stores Closed Early in Ohio
Special | 1m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
Whiskey and brandy sales soared in Ohio during 1919 due to the state's early ban on liquor sales.
Whiskey and brandy sales soared in Ohio during 1919 due to the state's early ban on liquor sales, preceding national Prohibition. This fascinating piece of American history reveals how Ohio began its prohibition journey before the rest of the United States. Learn about the interesting facts and weird facts surrounding this historical period in our United States history.
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Columbus Neighborhoods is a local public television program presented by WOSU
Columbus Neighborhoods
The Surprising Reason Liquor Stores Closed Early in Ohio
Special | 1m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
Whiskey and brandy sales soared in Ohio during 1919 due to the state's early ban on liquor sales, preceding national Prohibition. This fascinating piece of American history reveals how Ohio began its prohibition journey before the rest of the United States. Learn about the interesting facts and weird facts surrounding this historical period in our United States history.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipWhy were whiskey and brandy flying off the shelves at Thea Bolden's son liquor store in 1919?
You probably know that prohibition began in 1920 in the United States of America, but Ohio started early.
So in the 1918 election, we passed a constitutional amendment to ban the sale of liquor, starting officially on May 27th of 1919.
Unfortunately for the liquor stores, they ended up having to stop selling a little bit earlier.
Annual licenses ended on May 24th at midnight.
And so in order to keep selling just for that last little bit, they would have had to pay $300 for an entire year's worth of a liquor license just to cover a day.
Very few stores took them up on that.
So for the most part, Ohio went dry on May 25th at midnight.
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Columbus Neighborhoods is a local public television program presented by WOSU