Today in Wheeling History: July 1--Prohibition took effect in West Virginia (1914).
Wheeling has a rich brewing history, boasting numerous breweries, including the prominent Schmulbach and Reymann breweries. However, the advent of prohibition in West Virginia, starting with the Yost Law in 1914, dealt a severe blow to the local brewers, forcing them out of business before national prohibition took effect. This led to the emergence of organized crime in Wheeling, with notorious mob boss Bill Lias becoming a prominent figure in the city's criminal history. Wheeling became synonymous with indulgence and vices, with an abundance of saloons on Main and Market streets catering to desires for beer, gambling, tobacco, and prostitution, earning the city the moniker of "Wide Open Wheeling." (https://rb.gy/mljjo) (https://rb.gy/tkcnc) (https://rb.gy/vcwxt)
Wheeling has a rich brewing history, boasting numerous breweries, including the prominent Schmulbach and Reymann breweries. However, the advent of prohibition in West Virginia, starting with the Yost Law in 1914, dealt a severe blow to the local brewers, forcing them out of business before national prohibition took effect. This led to the emergence of organized crime in Wheeling, with notorious mob boss Bill Lias becoming a prominent figure in the city's criminal history. Wheeling became synonymous with indulgence and vices, with an abundance of saloons on Main and Market streets catering to desires for beer, gambling, tobacco, and prostitution, earning the city the moniker of "Wide Open Wheeling." (https://rb.gy/mljjo) (https://rb.gy/tkcnc) (https://rb.gy/vcwxt)
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