History Spotlight
Newtown Square Hotel Gets Raided! by Doug Humes Photos courtesy of the Newtown Square Historical Society
Saturday night, November 24, 1923, and the joints were rocking along West Chester Pike. “High-powered whiskey, beers, champagne and wines” flowed freely at the Newtown Square Hotel and also at the Manoa Inn in Havertown. A jazz orchestra played and Jazz Babies and Flappers danced and drank. It was the Roaring ‘20s and all was right in the world. Captain Charles Smith of the Haverford Township police had other ideas. Prohibition had banned alcohol sales. Responding to local complaints, state policemen had been gathering evidence against both joints for several weeks, wearing plain clothes and purchasing the “high-powered liquor.” And so, the trap was set for Saturday night. The newspaper describes what happened then: “The Saturday night gaiety was at its height when State troopers simultaneously entered each hostelry and ordered proprietors, bartenders, patrons and members of the jazz orchestras to prepare for an unexpected ride to the police station. At Manoa, women screamed and for a few minutes the greatest excitement prevailed. A rush was made for the doors and windows by the women and their escorts, which brought the announcement from Captain Smith…that he had all exits guarded… After warning them to desist from starting trouble, he ordered them to enter cars and go to the police station.
Above: At the bar in the Newtown Square Hotel, several years before Prohibition RIght: The headline tells the sad story of the raid that night
More than 100 people were detained at the Haverford police station in Oakmont. Everyone had to give bond of $15 cash. Those who could not do so – including half of the women – were allowed to leave watches, rings and even overcoats as security before being released. The owners were charged with selling alcohol and keeping a disorderly house. Prohibition had unexpected side effects: Liquor was driven underground into speakeasies, and the supply chain was taken over by gangsters and bred more violent crime. Like today’s drug wars, people were arrested, and some were jailed for non-violent acts. It was a noble experiment to deal with a social problem. And it failed.
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