Mural on the north side of Lakeview Lounge of important people and places in Edgewater’s history
Joyride Brewing Company and Providence at 5280 are celebrating the anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition tonight with a 21st Amendment Day March. Alcohol has played an interesting role in Edgewater’s history even before it became a city.
Even before Prohibition went into effect, Edgewater residents voted to incorporate as a city so that they could gain control over the saloons in town. At that time there were six saloons near 25th and Sheridan and the area was full of gambling and prostitution.
Here are some of Edgewater’s first ordinances from 1901 that show this desire to regulate saloons and houses of prostitution:
Ordinance No. 5 – An ordinance regulating the selling or giving away of intoxicating, malt, vinous, mixed and fermented liquors within the limits of the Town of Edgewater, or within one mile beyond the outer boundaries thereof.
Ordinance No. 8 – An ordinance to suppress bawdy and disorderly houses of ill-fame or assignation.
Ordinance No. 9 – An ordinance to restrain and punish prostitutes.
After incorporating as a city, Edgewater residents then voted to make Edgewater a dry town.
Today Joyride Brewing Company re-released their Veritable Riot pre-Prohibition beer which points to events on the last day of public drinking in Edgewater.
Here is how the Colorado Transcript recorded the last day of public drinking on May 7, 1908:
Edgewater is now a dry town, but the last night of saloons there was celebrated Friday night of last week by a free for all fight, and as a result there are many black eyes, broken heads and a jail full of repentant scrappers. The trouble all started when Mayor Spicer attempted to look after the grand closing of the Golden Gate saloon. Cline, one of the proprietors of the saloon, and his bartender, Bill Sharp, gave Spicer a very severe beating, at least it is so alleged now, and this started the fun. Other fights followed in quick succession, and when Sheriff Whipple, Under Sheriff Dennis and Deputy Meneimer arrived on the scene a veritable riot was in progress. The officers quelled the disturbance and filled the Edgewater jail with pugilistic “wets.” Justice Fred Wender is having a busy week of it with preliminary hearing of the celebrants.
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
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