Visit The Museum at:

   2200 Broadway Street
   Redwood City, CA 94063 
   (650) 299-0104 

Broads, Bootleggers & Bookies
February 17, 2011 - December 31, 2011

Ah, the good old days! The 1920s and 1930s are considered one of the most corrupt periods in Peninsula history. Flapper girls wore their hair and dresses shorter as they drank and smoked in illegal speakeasies. Rum runners used the foggy coast to smuggle Canadian whiskey from off-shore ships. All over the county, people made moonshine. Gambling was introduced to many. In the 1930s, former bootleggers made money in illegal gambling rings. Throughout it all, police had their hands full conducting raids and attempting to uphold unpopular laws.

Hiding Liquor

During Prohibition, Peninsula residents made "moonshine" or illegal liquor. To prevent the "prohis" or prohibition agents from finding it, the moonshine was hidden in many places. Explore the speakeasy's kitchen to discover the hidden liquor.

Gambling Dens
While the pari-mutuel betting at Tanforan and Bay Meadows was legal, off-track betting with bookies was not. Visits to gambling dens in the 1930s featured wagers with bookies, blackjack, slot machines and a wheel of fortune.

Law enforcement agents led many raids around the county, but residents still made moonshine.

Listen

And they're off! Listen to a 1938 race at Tanforan. Then, hear stories of Prohibition told by Coastside residents.

Terms of the 1920s
Visit the exhibit to decipher this 1920s slang.
"The prohi pinched the ladylegger. Her hootch was cut counterfeit, but you can't expect the real McCoy at a blind pig."