Newtown Square Hotel Gets Raided!

History Spotlight 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.

At the bar in the Newtown Square Hotel, several years before Prohibition

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.

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.

The Newtown Square Hotel, west of the intersection of Rt 252 and West Chester Pike

Prohibition was repealed in 1933. After Prohibition, the Newtown Square Hotel resumed its place as the main watering hotel in Newtown until it was demolished in 1969. However, the building that was the Manoa Inn lives on: Later called the Del Rio Inn and then L&M Caterers in Havertown, it is now the L&M Professional Building.

The Manoa Inn: “The most unique bar in the world”

Every time I pass it, I imagine that night, the building surrounded, the screaming inside. And I smile at the thought.

For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit our website at www.NSHistory.org.