Chronicles of the Pike Place Market and Prohibition-era Seattle

Author Brad Holden's impassioned investigation of prohibition-era Seattle was sparked by his discovery of a copper moonshining still in a musty Seattle basement. When an unexpected trove of historical documents revealed that the original owner of the still had been jailed for supplying moonshine to his neighbors, Holden was off at a run to record fascinating tales along with artifacts ranging from never-before-seen photographs to a search warrant from 1928. His book exposes captivating stories of that era in all its glory, including interconnections of key people, places, and events. The book also features photographs of prohibition-related artifacts, some shared at this event, that Holden has uncovered, along with their stories.
Co-presented by Pike Place Podcast and FOLIO

[@christiansleepvideos]

Ken Burns covered Seattle in his terrific documentary “Prohibition”. That’s why I’m here. Cool!

[@westernwashingtonhistory1889]

Hiram Gill at AYPE - Thousands of cheering onlookers thronged the parade route, which was bedecked with white and purple streamers (the Elks’ colors). The crowd called out greetings and laughed uproariously at the antics of some of the marchers. In particular, Seattle politician Hiram “Hi” Gill (1866-1919) created a stir when he “escaped” from his carriage at 2nd and Seneca Avenue and was quickly chased down in the crowd by a band of “rough riders.”
At 2 p.m. the Elks queued up for its society circus parade on the A-Y-P grounds. Featuring the “freakish and the burlesque” (
Seattle P-I,
July 28, 1909, Sec. 1, p. 1), the parade wound its way through the exposition grounds for half an hour, followed by a steady stream of laughter. Some of Seattle’s more prominent citizens joined in the march, accompanied by happy hoots and catcalls from the crowd. Hi Gill once again was singled out for an honorable mention in the press for his costume: a short skirt and “indescribable hair of the Albino girl” (
Seattle P-I,
July 29, 1909, Sec. 1, p. 11). Taken from a Histoylink article.

[@shaggybreeks]

Fascinating, but the question period was a tragedy. Hearing answers to questions I did not hear isn't always so much fun. Frustrating as hell. Just repeat the question!

[@westernwashingtonhistory1889]

Ever hear the old western song, My Buckets got a hole in it? Well I'm standin' on a corner - With a bucket in my hand
I'm waitin' for a woman - That ain't got no man
Yea! My bucket's got a hole in it
Yea! My bucket's got a hole in it
Yea! My bucket's got a hole in it
I can't buy no beer
Well, I went upon the mountain - I looked down in the sea
I seen the crabs and the fishes - Doin' the be-bop-bee
Yea! My bucket's got a hole in it
Yea! My bucket's got a hole in it
Yea! My bucket's got a hole in it
I can't buy no beer
Well, there ain't no use - of me workin' so hard
When I got a woman - in the boss man's yard

[@vipermad358]

German-American writer HL Mencken ("the Bard of Baltimore") reportedly taught men to brew beer in his home, ten at a time, under the agreement that each would then go teach ten others to do so.