History of Temperance/Anti-Alcohol Movement & Prohibition of Alcohol Walk

This History of Temperance Movement & Prohibition Walk is on a scenic route filled with interesting places. I will comment
along the way, but you will have plenty of time to socialize with others.

Cost of this event is $4 per person. which is paid at start of walk. This is for organizer's Meetup preparation costs & fees. (Please read "About Us Section" for more info regarding $4 per person fee for each event.)

Walk is similar to a guided walking tour with a number of stops. If you don't like to stop at a number of points of interest, then this walk is not good for you. Walk is about 2 3/4 miles & moderate paced.

If you are registered for this walk and can't attend, please change your RSVP online from "YES" to "NO". (PLEASE READ "ABOUT US SECTION" FOR GUIDELINES REGARDING NO SHOW POLICY.)

THERE IS NO NEED TO POST WHY YOU CAN'T MAKE THE EVENT.

I will schedule this same walk on a weekend.

No young children, service animals or pets allowed on walk w/o prior approval of organizer. No smoking, please.

As what usually happens on every event, many people from the waiting list will end up on the going list.

If you have a personal matter/question, please contact John, the Event Host, directly to his private Meetup account.

Feature photo above is from U.S. Temperance Movement in late 19th century. Photo was taken in Thomas Edison's studio at West Orange, NJ. (Source US Interior Dept., Nat'l Park Serv, Thomas Edison Nat'l Historic Site)

Description:

Temperance/Anti-Alcohol Movement in 19th Century was the roots of U.S. National Prohibition of Alcohol in 1920s & early 1930s.

By 1830, the average American consumed nearly 3 times as much alcohol as Americans drink today & alcohol abuse was wreaking havoc on some families. The Temperance/Anti-Alcohol Movement, which had many women in its ranks, 1st urged moderation of alcohol & then ultimately complete prohibition of alcohol.

During U.S. Prohibition (1920-1933), the manufacture, transportation & sale of alcohol was illegal (though not consumption or private possession). There were, however, many "side effects", including many speakeasies/illegal drinking spots that had unmarked/secret doors leading to "intoxication rooms". During Prohibition, gangsters also became much more organized & made tons of money selling illegal alcohol, some of which was paralyzingly or deadly to humans. Because Americans were also allowed to obtain wine for religious purposes, enrollments rose at churches & synagogues. In 1924, the Bureau of Prohibition distributed 2,944,764 gallons of wine, an amount that caused famous Federal Prohibition Agent Izzy Einstein to marvel at the “remarkable increase in the thirst for religion”.

We'll go past places that pertain to the U.S. Temperance/Anti-Alcohol Movement or Federal Prohibition of Alcohol. Some of these stops include forgotten statues, gangster sites, old bars/restaurants that illegally served alcohol during Prohibition, and faux bars/speakeasies that have names or other features that relate to this time period.

Bowery Boys article about NYC Mayor Jimmy Walker during Prohibition.

http://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2017/08/jimmy-walker-mayor-jazz-age-nyc-roaring-20s-part-one.html

History.com article about Prohibition Agents Izzy & Moe.

https://www.history.com/news/the-improbable-prohibition-agents-who-outsmarted-speakeasy-owners

Meeting Time: (after lunch) 1:45 PM

Meeting Place: Outside the entrance to Barnes & Noble at 33 East 17th Street. Before walk, restrooms are on 2nd or 3rd floors of Barnes & Noble.

Transportation

Take 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R train to Union Sq & 14th St

Ending Time: 4:30 PM

Ending Place: 12th St/2nd Ave

Bad weather cancels walk. If it is bad weather, I'll send out email cancellation before 10:30 AM Monday morning. If I don't send out emails about cancellation, I plan to be at meeting place.