At one point in American history, Prohibition existed. Hard to believe now with liquor stores, bars, and drinking culture as we know it in modern times. If you’re out familiar with what Prohibition was, according to Wikipedia, “was a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933.”
Not a fun time for most adults that liked drinking during that time. Hence the need for bootlegging and drinking in private clubs or speakeasies. Ex-Los Angeles Mayor in the 1950’s , Derward P. Loomis, wrote in his book “San Fernando Retrospective: The First Fifty Years” about San Fernando’s anticipated Prohibition.
He wrote about Emily Vose who in the 1880s was a member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Loomis wrote that Vose was quite instrumental in banning saloons, which “had become a plague” in the city. Side note, not sure if anyone knows, if Vose Street in Van Nuys is named after her. Vose did name Zelzah in Northridge, however. More on street names in San Fernando Valley here.
Fast forward to the end of Prohibition and how Owensmouth which became Canoga Park felt about the opening of liquor stores in the community.
Ed Ainsworth for his Column, “Along the El Camino Real” in the Los Angeles Times wrote a feisty commentary on the local state of affairs with Prohibition in Canoga Park, Van Nuys, and Reseda. What a stark difference it is today.
West SFV Lifestyle 
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