Gin Joints & Hot Spots

The ink on Arizona’s new state constitution had hardly dried by the time voters approved new legislation enacting the ban on alcohol sales and consumption.  The law went into effect at midnight on January 1, 1915, five years before Prohibition was enacted nationwide.  It would be over 18 years until it was legal to drink, sell, or transport alcohol in Arizona.  But that didn’t mean the desert was completely “dry”, even here at Heritage Square!  Restoration efforts at the Rosson House in 1970s unearthed a trap door that led to Prohibition Era liquor bottles…  (find out more about the family who owned the Rosson House during Prohibition here). Once Prohibition was enacted, alcohol sales went “underground” – illegal establishments called speakeasies, gin mills, drums, and hot spots popped up everywhere – even to a “mystery room” in the acclaimed Arizona Biltmore!

Flapper Fashion

Flappers and Flaming Youths (the flapper counterpart) shook things up in the style world during the 1920s.  Flappers bobbed their hair, shortened their skirts to knee or calf length, wore makeup, and drank alcohol alongside men in gin joints – shocking!  Flaming Youths slicked back their hair and wore baggy trousers and knickers (short pants) for their casual wear.

For 1920s style inspiration, go to Unique Vintage, Fads of the 1920s (also has general Prohibition Era info), or our own Pinterest page.

Twenties Talk

Know your Birds from your Chicks, Beezers from Buzzers, and Flippers from Flappers – check out the Molls & Dolls blog, Best Life Online, The Atlantic, and the Dieselpunks blog to brush up on your Prohibition era slang!