Foundations of the Temperance Movement and the Road to Prohibition the mission inn museum

Left: Interior of a Colorado saloon, Many saloons were financed by large breweries, and offered drinks at very low prices. Patrons often turned to alcoholic beverages because they were “safer than water, cheaper than tea.” Image courtesy of the Library of Congress

Left: Contrary to the popular children’s story, Johnny Appleseed’s orchards and nurseries grew sour apples that were primarily intended for the production of hard cider and applejack. His apples were not normally eaten or used as food. Image courtesy of the Ohio Historical Society and the State Library of Ohio.

Left: Inebriated men in New York City, no date. An advertisement for whiskey can be seen in the background. Below: An 1871 account of domestic violence blamed on the husband’s “too frequent use of the bottle.” Images courtesy of the Library of Congress

Left: Cover sheet for temperance themed songs sung by members of the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement. The WCTU took shape in 1874, founded by small groups of women that were frustrated and angered by widespread alcohol abuse. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress

Above: A meeting of the Anti-Saloon league, The ASL provided political pressure to achieve their goals of reducing, and eventually banning alcohol consumption. Right: Wayne B. Wheeler spent nearly his entire life involved with the temperance movement. He started work as a clerk for the ASL after graduating Oberlin College in 1894, and later headed the organization's efforts to push for national prohibition. Images courtesy of the Library of Congress

Left: Final text of the Volstead Act as it was presented to Congress, October 28, The Volstead Act was ratified by the states just 13 months after it was introduced in This Act became the 18 th Amendment, and went into effect January 1 st, Images courtesy of the Library of Congress

Above: Customers in Detroit line up to purchase alcohol just prior to the beginning of National Prohibition, Image courtesy of the Reuther Library, Wayne State University.

Left: US Officials tear down one of many speakeasies in Detroit, early 1920s. During the height of Prohibition, Detroit is estimated to have had over 15,000 speakeasies. Speakeasies were establishments that illegally sold alcohol during Prohibition. Image courtesy of the Reuther Library, Wayne State University