Prohibition in Marathon County

Overview of Marathon County• Heavily populated by German

immigrants who bring their attitudes

“… an inordinate fondness for – and a prodigious consumption of beer. For many of these immigrants, and their offspring, beef passed being a pleasure and approached being a social and psychological necessity.”

- The Story of Wausau and Marathon County

- By Michael Kronenwetter

Germans in Wisconsin

- From Germans in Wisconsin, by Richard H. Zeitlin

German Customs

Image ID: 1938Collection Name: Ralph Marquardt: Photographs, 1860-1925For larger image click the following link:http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullRecord.asp?id=1938&qstring=

German taverns, beer gardens, or beer halls were the center of activity for the German communities

Image ID: 3493Collection Name: Photo Copy Service: Photographs and Negatives, 1925-1983For larger image click the following link:http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullRecord.asp?id=3493&qstring=

Copyright unknown. If reader knows who holds the copyright, please contact Oscar Chamberlain at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Wausau Brewing Company, Wausau, WI

Marathon City Brewery, Marathon City, WI

Copyright unknown for these photographs. If reader knows who holds the copyright, please contact Oscar Chamberlain at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Do the citizens of Marathon County agree with Prohibition?

From: Wausau Sun

Mar. 18, 1911

Do the citizens of Marathon County agree with Prohibition?

• Volstead Act passed anyway in 1919…

From: Wausau Daily Record-Herald & Wausau Pilot – 1918-1919

What is it like during Prohibition in Marathon County?

• “…if anyone in Marathon County, resident or visitor, went without a drink it was either through their own choice or lack of the funds to pay for it.”

- The Story of Wausau and Marathon County

- By Michael Kronenwetter

Trying to get around Prohibition…

Drawing of a still

Wausau Daily Record-Herald

March 12, 1925

Trying to get around Prohibition…

• 1926 – Marathon County board presented w/ resolution to modify Volstead Act – Want to sell light wine & beer– Felt Volstead Act lead to

“detriment” of youth– The measure passed 48 to 11– 75% of county voters approved

**County can’t overturn state law!!

Trying to get around Prohibition…

Soda Shops, “near beer,” speakeasies, “blind pigs,” and

road houses

Why didn’t Wisconsin “welcome” prohibition?

Some possible theories…– Brewing is state’s 5th largest

industry– Barley is an important crop– Feeling of civil liberties &

cultural liberties being threatened

– WHAT DO YOU THINK???

The End of Prohibition – 1933:Passage of the 21st Amendment!

Image ID: 9426Collection Name: Frank Joseph Scherschel: Photographs, 1907-1981For larger image click the following link:http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullRecord.asp?id=9426&qstring=

Image ID: 1929Collection Name: Classified File ****For larger image click the following link:http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullRecord.asp?id=1929&qstring=

21st AmendmentSection 1. The eighteenth article of

amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use there in of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Small Group Discussion Questions

•Why does Prohibition begin? (Besides passage of laws!)

•Why does it end? (Besides the passage of the 21st amendment!)

•Why do you think Wisconsin wasn’t a state that really “welcomed” Prohibition?

Copyright unknown. If reader knows who holds the copyright, please contact Oscar Chamberlain at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.