Oregon Prayer Spotlight: Portland - Part 3
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| Hayden Island, Portland, OR |
Prohibition was passed in Oregon in 1914, and took effect in 1916, four years before it went into effect nationally in 1920. The Christian Women’s Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League were campaigning for the banning of alcohol from the late 1800’s through the early years of the 20thcentury. Those in favor of prohibition saw it as a solution to the problem of men who spent their time – and money – in taverns, instead of supporting their wives and children. Alcohol consumption contributed to domestic violence, child abuse and other social ills. By banning this evil, those promoting prohibition believed it would free those affected from the debilitating effects of drink and turn them into productive citizens and better spouses, parents and employees.
As history showed, it didn’t quite work that way. Not only did legislating away alcohol not change human hearts – in Oregon or elsewhere - there were unintended consequences including organized crime and the corruption of the police and government officials. Prohibition wasn’t repealed until 1933, so Oregon had 17 “dry” years during which bootlegging became a well-organized and profitable business.
Portland was well set up for prohibition. By starting a few years before liquor was outlawed nationally, they had a head start on the lucrative business of making, distributing and serving illegal alcohol. A tried-and-true system of smuggling from Canada (Vancouver and Victoria) was already in place from supplying illegal opium to West Coast cities. It was easy to switch products and begin shipping whiskey down from Canada to Portland, with boats, seasoned smugglers and tested routes already in place.
During the “wide-open” vice days of the late 1800’s, the police and city officials made good money with “fines” from various illicit businesses in town, that were then allowed to do business unmolested by the police. During prohibition this system came roaring back with “protection money” being paid to Portland and Multnomah County officials, amounting to as much as $100,000 per month, according to one source.
Also, the city was still surrounded by deep woods which provided cover for an uncounted number of stills. The area that became Forest Park was an ideal location, as well as areas outside Portland’s city limits. I know the area where I spent my childhood, in the hills of southern Clackamas County, was known to harbor a few during those days.
It was the “roaring twenties” in Portland, with crime, corrupt officials, speakeasies, smuggling and bootlegging. While it makes for colorful stories, it was not a good time. The wealthy and connected made fortunes; the smaller guys got caught and went to jail in record numbers.
The drinking problem the temperance folks attempted to address was pretty universal, the same among the coal miners of Wales as the sailors and loggers of Oregon. While prohibition was later called “a failed experiment,” something else did have an effect.
David Collier, a pastor during the 1905 revival in Wales, wrote: Men who had not taken one penny home in 17 years now took it all home…Houses became decently furnished, women and children became decently clad. The public houses became practically empty…
Historically it is reported, during times of revival, that taverns closed for lack of business and jails stood empty as everyone in town attended worship services and prayer meetings. The vision of alcoholics and dead-beat dads becoming productive citizens and “better spouses, parents and employees” seems to only be realized through an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
How do we pray for Portland? Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Next: We’ve spent several blog posts looking at the seamier side of Portland, but it wasn’t all dark.
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