Hole in the Wall

January 17, 1920 - The Volstead Act became enforceable. From today's legal status of alcohol throughout the country, we all know that that effort failed and was repealed. In fact, its failure is now celebrated through National Bootlegger's Day which is January 17th, the anniversary of the day prohibition became enforceable. While many regions saw a surge in many different criminal aspects, only in El Paso would the laws be abided by going to another country down the street.

Prohibition Parade in Henrietta, TX

A Hole in the Wall was an establishment that served alcohol just beyond the United States border during the time of prohibition. Many of these establishments were peppered across the border to meet the needs of those seeking libations. In an El Paso Herald Post article released on October 15, 1931, authorities suggest the impracticality of speakeasies in El Paso. Speakeasies in other cities were able to operate through the anonymity available in large cities which was not available in El Paso which was still relatively small. They also operated under the knowledge of authorities by paying protection fees. This would not allow for competition with establishments in Juarez who could legally sell alcohol.

Confiscated Whiskey Stills

While alcohol establishments were nonexistent according to law enforcement, bootleggers could be found in various places in El Paso, most notably, taxi stands.

Anti Prohibition Booklet

Prohibition had many groups at odds with each other. According to Art Leibson of the El Paso Times, El Paso gained the nickname 'Cradle of Repeal' for being one of the earliest places to launch efforts toward the repeal of Prohibition and the 18th Amendment. Even so, the Women's Christian Temperance Union was also active in El Paso. The W.C.T.U. was one of the champions of the anti-alcohol movement.

*The images in this post are not part of the El Paso Public Library Collections. They can be accessed through Portal to Texas History by clicking on the images.