Letter from Andy Burns
History – April 2004 – Colorado Central Magazine
Colorado Central:
I was pulled up short here just now when you mentioned the Pastime Bar and the Silver Dollar Saloon in Leadville during prohibition (March 2004 edition).
You “figure they found a way to quench the public thirst.” How? Did they stay open and serve booze? You really got me curious. It’s not like you to leave a big hole like that in the information.
Andy Burns
Santa Fé
:
Does anyone out there have stories to tell about Central Colorado bars during prohibition?
Ed knows a bit about how Garden City and Rosedale bars (outside of Greeley, Colorado) operated in those days. And I know my Mom used to help her Dad make beer so he could have all of his old friends over on weekends, and my grandfather in turn made root beer for the kids (and also grew grapes for all of his wine-making friends). But that was in Michigan.
Although we’ve both heard and read that Leadville pretty much ignored prohibition, we have no direct knowledge of the matter. So here’s a chance to complete a chapter of local history.
Martha Quillen