Drinks, Drugs & Debauchery: A History of Seattle's Prohibition Era with Brad Holden

Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum invites you to travel back in time with local historian Brad Holden as he tells the spectacular story of Seattle in the time of Prohibition. Have no fear, this trip into the era of strick liquire laws will be followed by appetizers and a beer and wine reception.

In the final installement of the series we will explore forbidden nightclubs in Lost Roadhouses of Seattle.  

Prohibition went national in 1920 and a network of roadside inns, taverns and dancehalls just outside of Seattle's city limits thrived well into the rockin' 1950s, providing illicit entertainment for those seeking a good time. Spurred on by early car culture and strict liquor laws, places like the Spanish Castle, The Jungle and The Black Cat sprang into being. Commonly called roadhouses, many of these remote outposts existed along two newly-built and parallel stretches of county highways - far from the prying eyes of city police. Fabled speakeasy operator, Doc Hamilton founded some of the earliest of these hideaways.

Brad Holden is an author, historian and finder of old things. When not searching for local historical artifacts, he enjoys writing about Seattle's past. His work has appeared in Pacific Northwest Magazine, and he is a contributor for historylink.org. Holden has been profiled in Seattle Magazine, Seattle Refined and various newspapers. His previous book, Seattle Prohibition: Bootleggers, Rumrunners & Graft in the Queen City, was released to much critical acclaim in 2019. He lives in Edmonds, Washington.