Prohibition Through the Years

Prohibition was not a popular edict in Scott County. With large German and Czech populations, Scott County resisted the closing of breweries and saloons- often used as community gathering spaces. We think of prohibition as a time of glitzy parties, slick gangsters, and glamorous speakeasies. In Scott County, residents were far more likely to share a clandestine bottle with friends, or stash a small still in the barn to supplement farm income. As prohibition grabbed headlines, life went on.

Below, find a selection of Scott County photographs from Scott County for each year that Prohibition was in effect, as well as selections from the papers that show how Prohibition impacted the county.

1920

American Range Workers, Shakopee, 1920. Photo from the SCHS collections.

Group in Belle Plaine, 1920. Photo from the SCHS collections.

Ice Skating on the Minnesota River near Shakopee, 1920. Photo from the SCHS collections.

Shakopee Tribune, July 9, 1920

Shakopee received an unheralded visit from federal prohibition enforcement officers Saturday evening and as a result MJ Doherty, local saloon men, appeared before HF Price, prohibition enforcement chief in Minneapolis on the charge of having moonshine liquor on his premises. Doherty said he bought the liquor and admitted to having colored the liquor and placed it in bottles. His case was taken under advisement.

Shakopee Argus, July 30, 1920

A raid of Ed Thiede’s saloon Wednesday morning about eleven o’clock was staged with a number of features that the proprietor claims were unnecessary and not in keeping with the usual conduct of federal officers… Mr. Thiede claims that the men, three in number, entered his saloon while he was engaged in counting money and that, without displaying their official badges or stating what their errand was, they ordered him to step out from behind the counter…one of the men advanced around the counter toward him and he backed away, upon which a second man jumped over the counter and struck him in the face …at the same time applying vile epithets to him… the men searched the saloon, basement and kitchen but found no liquor.

Jordan Independent, August 26 1920

A gasoline stove, a milk can, two barrels filled with soaking barley and other indications that certain forbidden drinks are being manufactured are not sufficient reason for anyone other then the owner to destroy property. William Kohler, a farmer, was soaking feed for hogs, he told the court. Leo Meyer thought he was violating the prohibition act. Mayer destroyed the ‘hog feed’ and the court fined him $20, the amount of damages asked by Kohler.

1921

Wedding in Belle Plaine, 1921. Photo from the SCHS collections. 

Amanda Messerbank of Jordan, 1921. Photo from the SCHS collections.

View of the Minnesota River near Shakopee, 1921. Photo from the SCHS collections. 

Shakopee Tribune, March 24 1921

Another raid by Federal Agents was made here last Saturday afternoon… The victim of the raid was Linus Vierling at whose place it was reported that quite of quantity of moonshine and home brew was found by federal agents and destroyed… The open violation of the laws of the United States in regard to liquor has passed the joke stage and it is time for the citizens of Shakopee and Scott County to awaken to this fact.

Belle Plaine Herald, Sept 1, 1921

 Prohibition enforcement officers have been busy in Scott County the past few days. Stills southeast of Shakopee were raided Saturday and the owners arrested . On Monday raids were carried out in Jordan and Shakpoee, retail dealers being arrested, two in each town.

Shakopee Tribune, Oct 13, 1921

Prohibition will lengthy lifespans by 4 years said a temperance speaker… It will seem that much longer anyway

1922

Shakopee High football team, 1922. Photo from the SCHS collections 

St Mark’s graduating class, 1922. Photo from the SCHS collections. 

Jordan Independent, March 9, 1922

In a very well attended meeting at the Jordan Commercial Club held at the City Hall last Thursday night the rejuvenated organization showed a very lively spirit and interest in public affairs… A resolution related to prohibition was introduced. It was a statement asserting that prohibition is a failure and calls upon Congress to enact such legislation ameliorating the terms, conditions and provisions of the Volstead act…the action was passed without any dissenting votes.

Jordan Independent, June 1, 1922

It is reliably reported that a prohibition enforcement squad raided Belle Plaine last Saturday and caught every soft drink dealer excepting one with illicit liquor.

1923

Produce House in Belle Plaine, 1923. Photo from the SCHS collections. 

Young man standing outside a home in Shakopee, 1923. Photo from the SCHS collections.

Shakopee Tribune, May 24 1923

“Bootleger Fooled when he Buys Tea for Liquor” says a headline. It’s a mean man that would swindle a poor bootlegger.

1924

Katherine Wolf Deutsch of Jordan. Photo of the SCHS collections. 

Store in Shakopee, 1924. Photo from the SCHS collections. 

Shakopee Argus, Nov 6, 1924

In the good old days it took years for a man to drink himself to death, but the modern man can catch up to him with a few swigs out of a bottle of moonshine

1925

DeMers Family, Shakopee, 1925. Photo from the SCHS collections.

Family driving in the Shakopee Fourth of July parade, 1925. Photo from the SCHS collections.

As Prohibition went on, Scott County newspaper headlines begin to take a darker turn. Gone are the quips about low-stakes arrests. Instead the focus turns to some of the real problems associated with moonshine. Health concerns and driving safety are at the forefront of the conversation. 

March 19 1925, Belle Plaine Herald

“ A judge fined a man $200 and ordered him to the work house for 6 months for driving an auto on the street when he was so drunk he could scarce remember his name… personally we never like to see anyone in trouble with the law, but this thing of driving an auto while intoxicated is becoming a problem too serious to overlook…the public streets and public roads of this county must be made safe”

1926

August Herman, August Zaun and Alfred Zaun in Belle Plaine, 1926. Photo from the SCHS collections.

Shakopee Argus Tribune August 19th, 1926

Driving an automobile on our congested roads is a man-sized job for anyone who has a clear brain, and the moon-fogged fellow at the steering wheel has no business in any car…the automobile is a mighty dangerous weapon in the hands of one of these fellows. An uninvited guest always sits beside the drunken driver: The Grim Reaper.

1927

Genevieve McHugh of Shakopee, 1927. Photo from the SCHS collections.

Shakopee Argus Tribune, June 16, 1927

As a rule the drunken driver only wants one side of the road. Unfortunately It is your side.

1930

Arthur Bohnsack and Evelyn August in Belle Plaine, 1930. Photo from the SCHS collections.

April 4, 1930, Jordan Independent

“Americanism versus Prohibition” was the general title given to a forum discussion at a mass meeting conducted in Mertz hall in Jordan Tuesday Night… Mr Richter explained that the purpose is to bring about a solution to the problems and perplexities that they charge to the Eighteenth Amendment.

1932

Kenneth Shaughnessy of Belle Plaine, 1932. Photo from the SCHS collections.

Belle Plaine Herald, Feb 11, 1932

From “Argued Prohibition 50 Years Ago”- a Republican Party article

…Ten years ago the German vote was stronger in Scott, although the situation is probably the same today. But now we hear little complaint about prohibition from the Germans; they seem to get along without brewery beer just as well as the other nationals. Of  course, a few may make a little home brew on the side, but so do the Irish, French, Yankees and the others. Perhaps if pioneer legislators knew what was in store for their successors they would have settled the liquor question once and for all. If they had banned the liquor traffic, most of us would probably have little knowledge or desire for intoxicants. We are working towards it, but with the present method of enforcement the day of real and total abstinence seems a long way in the future. 

Shakopee Argus Trib, November 3, 1932.

From an advertisement for the Democratic party

Repeal Prohibition: Bring back Beer and Light Wines. That is the Democratic ticket. It is a vote for a repeal of the 18th amendment, It is a vote for the modification of the Volstead Law

1933

 As you can see from the numbers to the left, Scott County voted solidly for the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. 

Belle Plaine Herald, April 13, 1933

The new beer industry got off to a flying start in Belle Plaine last Friday. A suppl was at hand early in the morning and all the licensed retailers had a supply that looked big enough to meet any demand… however by mid afternoon the supply was exhausted. So many wanted to renew acquaintance with brewery beer after the long 14 year drought that it looked as if folks would have to be put on the quota basis.

New Prague Times, June 11, 1933

New Prague’s Brewery will be remodeled. Today marks the first activities in the awakening and rejuvenation of an important New Prague industry that has been dormant for some years.

Shakopee Argus Tribune, July 20, 1933

Brewery details are near completion. Present plans provide for converting the old flour mill here into a modern brewery the capacity of which has not been disclosed… men in close contact with the undertaking have much enthusiasm and express confidence in its successful outcome.

Compiled by Rose James, SCHS Program Manager

Leaves, S’Mores, and More

Its that time of year again, a time when the trees change their colors, days get colder, and the nights get longer. Its fall in Scott County, though the recent weather might have some of us confused. Despite unseasonable weather fall is here, and for a few days now actually (the first day of fall is officially September 23rd). Fall is my favorite season of the year, it’s a season of bon-fires with friends, strolling down leaf covered sidewalks with my wife, and camping. My family always seemed to go camping later in the year than everyone else.

The weather lately has been warmer, muggier, and generally unfall-like. Still, I wanted to give everyone a glimpse of our past (and future) with a photo gallery of Scott County in Fall. Look forward to these images in a neighborhood near you, soon!

Written by Dave Nichols, Curator of Collections

Bike Season!

It’s the time of year when Minnesotans emerge from their winter hibernation and everyone wants to be outdoors! Scott County boasts an excellent biking trail system, and opportunities abound to ditch your four wheeled vehicle and head out on two wheels. Biking has long been a popular form of transportation for Scott County residents. Check out some bicycle gems from the SCHS collections below, and learn a bit more about Scott County’s cycling history in this blog post. 

Children on bicycles join a parade at Holmes Avenue and Third Street in Shakopee. 1945. Photo from the SCHS Collections.

Studio portrait of three cyclists. Handwritten on the back is “Uncle Walter Adams. He rode this bicycle from Sioux City, Iowa to Shakopee and back to Sioux City Iowa” Walter Adams is the man on the left. 1885. Photo from the SCHS Collections

Studio portrait of Fritz Kahle of Belle Plaine with a bicycle. 1890. Photo from the SCHS Collections

Performer at Valley Fair, 1978. Photo from the SCHS Collections.

Steve Lebens of Shakopee, 1965. Photo from the SCHS Collections

Enjoy the summer sun and join us for our annual series of Pedaling the Past history bike tours! Each tour focuses on the unique environmental history of a Scott County community. Tours span between 2 and 5 miles and last approximately 2 hours with frequent stops for discussion and to look at photographs!

Participants must bring their own bikes and all participants MUST wear helmets (no exceptions!). This tour is open to participants ages 10 and up; participants under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

$5.00, SCHS members FREE

Registration Links:
New Prague Tour, Sat. June 8th, 10am-12pm: https://bit.ly/2V8e5Ro
Jordan Tour: Sat, July 13th, 10am-12pm: https://bit.ly/2ZT1GPV
Prior Lake Tour: Sat, Aug 10th, 10am-12pm: https://bit.ly/2VHEJjE
Shakopee Tour: Sat, Sept 14th, 10am-12pm: https://bit.ly/2Vc9Wf6

The Dog Days

Canine companions have long been a part of Scott County’s history. To celebrate we have searched our collections for some photos and memorabilia honoring our furry friends- enjoy!

Frank, Emma and William Lebra with a dog, 1905. Photo from the SCHS Collections

Strunk and Ries families in Shakopee, 1910. Photo from the SCHS collections

Children and dogs in Shakopee, 1905. Photo from the SCHS collections

Children gathered with dog, 1905. Photo from the SCHS collections

Boy and dog in Jordan, MN, 1920. Photo from the SCHS Collections

Street scene in Belle Plaine, 1898. Photo from the SCHS collections

Dr. Maloney and his dog in Belle Plaine, 1898. Photo from the SCHS collections

Sam Bowler (left) and F. J. Whitlock (right) with dog in Belle Plaine, 1890. Photo from the SCHS Collections

Workers at Jordan Sulfur Springs, 1915. Photo from the SCHS Collecitons

Photo of the Belle Plaine Hikers Club. Pictured are are Edna Sherman, Mable Wherley, May Whitlock, Francis Martin, Carrie Chressman, Margaret Paulson, Lillian Irwin, Angela Weibeler, Florence Paul, Florence Martin, Sarah Nichols and Josephine Townsend.  Edna Sherman and Florence Paul were both teachers.  Paul is also holding a dog in her lap. 1915. Photo from the SCHS Collections.

Harry Weldon with Dog, 1933. Photo from the SCHS collections

Coller family with dog, 1914. Photo from the SCHS collections.

Glass Photographs?

We take photos at the drop of a hat. A quick click and we can snap a ton of images or share a selfie with the world in seconds.  But not so long-ago taking a photograph was difficult, required great skill, and each image was precious.

Beginning in the mid-1800s, photographers used glass plates to capture images – collodion wet plate and gelatin dry plate.

Collodion wet plate negatives were in use from about 1851 until the 1880s.  Collodion (a flammable liquid) was spread on a glass support (plate), then placed into a bath of silver nitrate, which turned the collodion into a photosensitive silver iodide.  When plate was exposed to light, it would capture an image. The big problem with this process (from smearing the plate to processing the photo), was that it had to happen before the plate dried; in about 5 – 15 minutes depending on the light.  You can identify these types of negatives by their uneven emulsion coating, thick glass, and rough edges.  Sometimes you can see the photographers thumbprint on the edge because they would be the one to mix and apply the emulsion.

Dry plate (Silver Gelatin) negatives were first available in 1873.  Unlike the wet-plate variety, gelatin dry plates were – yup you guest it – dry!  They were more easily transported and needed less exposure to light.  Photographers and manufacturers could prepare the negatives in advance and develop the images long after exposure. These negatives are identified by having thinner glass and a more evenly coated emulsion.  Dry plate glass negatives were in common use between the 1880s and the late 1920s.

These types of negatives were used in view cameras – large hulky boxes. The great thing about photos made from these negatives is that they often contain a great amount of detail and subtly of tone, due to the skill of the photographer and the nature of the emulsions.  Common negative sizes were 4×5, 5×8 and 8×10, larger sizes were also common.

Click through photographs below to view a gallery of glass plate negatives in the SCHS collections.

Taking the photo:

Once a photographer was satisfied that his subject was sufficiently well lit and positioned*, they would select a plate and follow these steps:

1. Place a dry plate (contained in a plate holder) into a slot in the camera

2. Slide the cover from the plate holder to uncover the dry plate

3. Uncover and then recover the lens. (By 1880, photographic plates were so sensitive that an exposure of less than a second was often enough to capture an image.)

4. Slide the cover on the plate holder back over the dry plate

5. Remove the plate holder containing the exposed plate, which was now ready for processing in a dark room.**

* Many times, photographers used frames or braces to hold a subject steady during the exposure time. Any movement could cause the image to blur.

** These plates could produce multiple prints

Developing the photograph:

1. Moisten the plate in distilled water

2. Place the plate in a glass or developing dish, and cover with developing fluid

3. Wash thoroughly when the image appeared

4. Place in a bath of fixing solution, and then wash and dry the plate. It could be varnished at this point, but this was rare after about 1890.

Printing Process:

Printing Out Paper (POP)

1. Fairly thin paper treated with photosensitive silver chloride crystals in a gelatin glaze. (used for printing photos that were mounted on strong cards).  These prints would usually be toned and fixed.

2. The POP would be placed under the negative in a special frame then exposed to daylight or artificial light until the image developed

3. The print would then be washed in water to remove excess chemicals

4. The print would then be toned using gold and platinum toners (to convert the silver into more stable compounds)

5. Washed again and fixed using standard fixing solution

6. The final step was to have the photograph air dried or, squeegeed on a clean polished glass surface and allowed to dry

Platinum Print (Plat), often used for landscape or architectural photos.  In this method the metal on the paper was platinum, not silver, and iron salts were used for developing.  These prints had a wide range of subtle tones, usually silvery-grey.  The price of platinum skyrocketed in 1907 and production of the paper stopped by 1916.

Carbon orienting was another process, which produced a matt finish in colors ranging from rich sepia tones to cooler shades of blue and grey.  These types of prints were resistant to fading so were most often used for commercial photos.  Other types of prints include Bromide, Bristol, Cabinet, Cameo, Carte de visite, Mezzo, and Vignette

Glass plate negatives are fragile, not only because they are made of glass, but also because the emulsions can easily be scratched or slip from the glass.  These negatives should be housed in an archival quality four-flap envelope, which enables the negative to handled without scratching the surface. The envelope should then be stored in an archival box on their edge (straight up & down) and stored with negatives of similar size.  Because these plates are heavy, the box shouldn’t be filled tight – a spacer can be put between the negatives to hold them upright and reduce the weight of the box.

Glass plate photographic material largely faded from the consumer market in the early years of the 20th century as more convenient and less fragile films were adopted.  However, plates were still being used into the 1970s, most likely because of their great detail and tonal qualities. 

Flexible films were available in the late 1880s for amateur use, but the plastic was of poor quality, tended to curl, and initially was more expensive to produce than glass.  However, quality improved and manufacturing costs came down and amateurs abandoned plates for film. Now as technology changes yet again, we’ve abandoned film for digital images.