Oregon Secretary of State

≫

After Prohibition: Still Raid Photos

Continued Illegal Activity

Illegal production and distribution of alcohol did not suddenly end in 1933 with the repeal of national Prohibition. There was still money to be made and many people had built a living and a lifestyle around related activities during the nearly 14 years that the 18th Amendment was in effect. Moonshining and bootlegging certainly became much smaller players on the social landscape but they have carried on to today. Now, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) regulates the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol in Oregon. Nationally, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) fights illegal activity related to alcohol.

Legal wineries and microbreweries now play a significant part in the culture and economy of Oregon. Meanwhile, microdistilleries are growing quickly and introducing innovative liquor products in the state. And, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has added regulation of the production, distribution and sale of marijuana-related products to its mission.

Here are some photos from the records of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission that document still raids in 1959 and 1962.

3 white men in suits stand in a parking lot looking at 7 barrels of liquor.

Officials look at barrels of moonshine liquor in 1962 in this Oregon Liquor Control Commission photo. (OLCC photo)

A cabin built of worn planks in a forest setting. A man stands on the porch and a broken liquor barrel lays in the font on grass

A cabin was home to an illegal still in this 1959 Oregon Liquor Control Commission photo. (OLCC photo)


A man in a plaid shirt stands in a wooded area with over turned barrels and piping. Bags and other refuse are scattered about.

A man stands amid an illegal still operation in 1959 in this Oregon Liquor Control Commission photo. (OLCC photo)

2 men are surrounded by still equipment such as barrels, metal pots, coils of copper, piping and other metal parts.

Officials inspect illegal still equipment in a 1959 Oregon Liquor Control Commission photo. (OLCC photo)


2 chickens running past still equipment consisting of metal coiling, barrels, pots and jars. A wood barn and fence stand in back

Chickens run by illegal still equipment in a farmyard in 1959 in this Oregon Liquor Control Commission photo. (OLCC photo)

Stacks of brinks in a circle support a metal moonshine kettle with a pipe coming out the top at a right angle.

A large moonshine kettle is shown in this 1959 Oregon Liquor Control Commission photo. (OLCC photo)