Brief history Tavern, built in 1916, located in 922 West 12th St, was known as the “best” speakeasy in Austin, siting on the periphery of the town. A speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, is an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverages. Such establishments came into prominence in the United States during the Prohibition era (1920–1933), longer in some states). During that time, the sale, manufacture, and transportation (bootlegging) of alcoholic beverages was illegal throughout the United[1]. States.Kuehne designed this building modeled on a German public house. Tavern‘s German exterior appearance. In the prohibition period, the first floor of Tavern was served as a steakhouse, while the whorehouse and speakeasy coexisted in the second floor. One of the interesting stories of the Tavern is that it is hearsay to be haunted by a whore named Emily, who was killed by a fight in the prohibition era. In the renovation of the building, the constructor found one pair of old-fashioned shoes which reinforced the horrible hearsay. Nowadays, Tavern is best known as the sport bar, it is always crowded at the weekend of UT games or other important sport events.[2]
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Figure 1. The Tavern
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about eighteenth amendment and prohibition
In 1919, the 18th Amendment was ratified, U.S. Constitution banded the manufacture, sale and transportation of any kind of alcohol. [3]Despite the fact that statewide prohibition was largely unpopular and was repeatedly voted down , the movement maintained enough traction to warrant multiple temperance leagues and unions, while more and more counties opted to go dry. the same year, Texas legislature published a statewide prohibition law. In the eyes of some reformers a sober America was attainable only under laws that declared illegal the manufacture and sale of liquor. In their view the profit motive led the distilling, brewing, and saloon industries to encourage more people to drink. [2]
Prohibition was controversial in both national and Texas politics in the 1920s. The Anti-Saloon League was deeply divided over the question of how to use the Eighteenth Amendment: as a measure providing new opportunities to persuade Americans to abstain from liquor, or as a measure demanding strict enforcement.[4]
However, Prohibition provided the Green Room for The Tavern and other speakeasies.
People drinks, when alcohol was legal, they went to public bar; when alcohol was illegal, they went to speakeasies. It is easy to ban the selling of the alcohol, but hard to suppress the desire of the drinkers.
Under the prohibition, The Tavern camouflaged as a steakhouse while serving illegal alcohol and brothel in the second floor.It is true that prohibition successfully attained the public drinking and selling alcohol at twentieth century, but it also gave hundreds of patrons to local speakeasies.
The ending of Prohibition in 1933 meant that the speakeasy could come out in the open, and the Tavern was born. It was known citywide as a popular gathering place for politicians, educators, soldiers, UT students, and the informed general public, and the food was considered first-rate.[2]
Prohibition was controversial in both national and Texas politics in the 1920s. The Anti-Saloon League was deeply divided over the question of how to use the Eighteenth Amendment: as a measure providing new opportunities to persuade Americans to abstain from liquor, or as a measure demanding strict enforcement.[4]
However, Prohibition provided the Green Room for The Tavern and other speakeasies.
People drinks, when alcohol was legal, they went to public bar; when alcohol was illegal, they went to speakeasies. It is easy to ban the selling of the alcohol, but hard to suppress the desire of the drinkers.
Under the prohibition, The Tavern camouflaged as a steakhouse while serving illegal alcohol and brothel in the second floor.It is true that prohibition successfully attained the public drinking and selling alcohol at twentieth century, but it also gave hundreds of patrons to local speakeasies.
The ending of Prohibition in 1933 meant that the speakeasy could come out in the open, and the Tavern was born. It was known citywide as a popular gathering place for politicians, educators, soldiers, UT students, and the informed general public, and the food was considered first-rate.[2]
contradiction
At 1919, just after the ratification of the 18th Amendment, local speakeasies were treated as illegal places as well as institutions that threatened the community life since they sold alcohol and promote prostitution. However, nowadays The Tavern play an important role in Austin's history as a memory of twenty century's vitality.
Superficially, we can define this contradiction as a difference between the new and old political systems. If the prohibition still implemented nowadays, The Tavern must be constantly struggled to remain open. While the Tavern now effectively functions as a sports bar, other establishments have embraced Austin’s erstwhile speakeasies, fashioning themselves as modern throwbacks to the Prohibition era.[2]
Between 1880 and 1920 Austin's population grew threefold to 34,876, but the city slipped from fourth largest in the state to tenth largest. The state's surging industrial development, propelled by the booming oil business, passed Austin by. The capital city began boosting itself as a residential city, but the heavy municipal indebtedness incurred in building the dam resulted in the neglect of city services. At that time, Austinites desired for some where for entertainment, lacking of the recreation facilities caused the popular of the speakeasies. [5]
Nevertheless, nowadays Austinites still love these places, because of their nostalgia. And the speakeasies can simply reflect the old fashion and the memory of the vitality in 20th century -- they are the milestone of the old time.
Superficially, we can define this contradiction as a difference between the new and old political systems. If the prohibition still implemented nowadays, The Tavern must be constantly struggled to remain open. While the Tavern now effectively functions as a sports bar, other establishments have embraced Austin’s erstwhile speakeasies, fashioning themselves as modern throwbacks to the Prohibition era.[2]
Between 1880 and 1920 Austin's population grew threefold to 34,876, but the city slipped from fourth largest in the state to tenth largest. The state's surging industrial development, propelled by the booming oil business, passed Austin by. The capital city began boosting itself as a residential city, but the heavy municipal indebtedness incurred in building the dam resulted in the neglect of city services. At that time, Austinites desired for some where for entertainment, lacking of the recreation facilities caused the popular of the speakeasies. [5]
Nevertheless, nowadays Austinites still love these places, because of their nostalgia. And the speakeasies can simply reflect the old fashion and the memory of the vitality in 20th century -- they are the milestone of the old time.
References:
[1]Speakeasy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speakeasy
[2]Haupt, Melanie (2013-10-06). Historic Austin Restaurants: Capital Cuisine Through the Generations (American Palate) (Kindle Location 373). The History Press. Kindle Edition.
[3]the 18th Amendment
http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/18thamendment.htm
[4]Prohibition
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/vap01
[5]history of Austin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Austin,_Texas
figure 1.The Tavern
http://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2008-09-12/671819/
[1]Speakeasy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speakeasy
[2]Haupt, Melanie (2013-10-06). Historic Austin Restaurants: Capital Cuisine Through the Generations (American Palate) (Kindle Location 373). The History Press. Kindle Edition.
[3]the 18th Amendment
http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/18thamendment.htm
[4]Prohibition
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/vap01
[5]history of Austin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Austin,_Texas
figure 1.The Tavern
http://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2008-09-12/671819/
