A lot happened during the 1920s, including Prohibition, which began with the proposal of a Constitutional amendment to prohibit alcohol on December 18, 1917. In October 1919, Congress passed the Volstead Act, the National Prohibition Act, and the 18th Amendment.

The act set forth the rules for enforcing the ban on the sales, manufacturing, and transportation of alcohol, defining the types of alcoholic beverages to be prohibited.

The 18th Amendment became official on January 16, 1919. At the stroke of midnight on January 17, 1920, the nation went dry.

Banning alcohol was enacted to reduce crime, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden created by prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America.

Little did they know that Prohibition would inspire the rise in organized crime associated with the illegal production and sale of alcohol, an increase in smuggling, and a decline in tax revenue for 13 years.

The stock market crashed in 1929, and the beginning of the Great Depression ensued, lasting roughly a decade. With the economy in crisis, the government needed new means to operate within its fiscal policy.

Fast forward to the 21st century. On Saturday, July 1, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Central City, Colorado, reminded us how far we’ve come since Prohibition with its annual Stills in the Hills event featuring many of Colorado’s craft distilleries.

The city’s historic Main Street transformed into an outdoor speakeasy filled with music and plenty to savor. Guests paid between $50 and $80, depending on the experience they craved. The latter offered early admission, a noon tasting, a private VIP tent experience, and appetizers.

Model A Ford cars, popular amid prohibition, could be marveled at during the event, adding the feeling of being transported back to the Roaring 20s. Many swayed to the music, while others partook in conversation and sipped smoky, fruity, nutty, or chocolaty flavors of spirits.

Though some towns and cities in the country remain dry, much has changed since the age of jazz and flappers. Ratified on December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition.

It didn’t solve the Great Depression, but alcohol and other excise taxes brought in $1.35 billion, nearly half the federal government’s revenue in 1934. Cheers to revenue and to drinking responsibly!

Stills in the Hills is located on Main Street, Central City. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CentralCityColorado or you can learn more by visiting http://www.stillsinthehills.com/.