Idaho's Prohibition Sites
- Turf Club Twin Falls
- Jun 26
- 9 min read
The Prohibition Era is a monumental time in American history. It started in 1920, when the 18th Amendment banned the manufacture, transportation, and sale of intoxicating liquors. Before the prohibition, alcohol was a massive problem, with the average person drinking 9 gallons of hard liquor every year. The rise of alcohol consumption also led to an increase in domestic violence, poverty, and fatherless homes—realities the women of the time could no longer tolerate. In response, the temperance movement emerged.
Led by strong-willed women, it became a powerful social and political force aimed at curbing alcohol use and the devastating consequences that came with it in the United States. What began as a modest movement led by a few women quickly spread across the country, igniting a nationwide call for change and increasing opposition to alcoholic beverages. As a result, the 18th Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution, banning liquor nationwide for the foreseeable future. While prohibition made waves across the entire nation, its impact on Idaho was especially unique. From secret speakeasies tucked behind storefronts to dry towns that held out long after the repeal, Idaho’s landscape still holds echoes of this transformative era. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of Idaho’s most fascinating Prohibition sites—places that tell the story of resistance, resilience, and cultural change in the Gem State.
Prohibition in Idaho
Like the rest of America, Idaho was experiencing the negative ramifications of excessive alcohol consumption long before 1920. Prior to the Prohibition Era, cities across the state desperately tried to limit drinking. Pocatello’s hotel, The Pacific, opened its bar for a certain number of minutes, trying to give the men passing through just enough of what they craved without it getting out of hand. About two decades before the Prohibition Era, the temperance movement settled in Boise and Lewiston, further pressuring the state to set more strict limits on alcohol consumption. Eventually, the Anti-Saloon League, a powerful organization that aimed to unify public anti-alcohol sentiment and push for prohibition laws, joined forces with the temperance movement.
The group successfully got Idaho’s Sabbath Law passed in 1907, which banned alcohol sales on Sundays—but they didn’t stop there. When Moses Alexander became Idaho’s first Jewish governor, he ran on a prohibition platform and won. He supported an amendment that outlawed the sale of alcoholic beverages in the state in November 1916, which went into effect on May 1, 1917—with support from the temperance movement and the Anti-Saloon League, Idaho's prohibition law passed by an overwhelming 71%, driven by hopes of restoring moral values and promoting the prosperity of family life.
One thing the U.S. government—and Idaho’s, for that matter—didn’t anticipate was the deep value its citizens placed on independence, their love of good times, and a hint of rebellion. After 13 years of the Prohibition, crime was skyrocketing, alcohol consumption was still a problem, and morality was getting worse than when the ban started. Consequently, the 21st Amendment repealed prohibition, making it the first and only amendment to be overturned in American history. Although much of the nation celebrated, Idaho still had a long way to go. Deeply influenced by conservative values and temperance ideals, the state maintained local dry laws in many counties, and attitudes toward alcohol remained cautious for years to come.
4 Prohibition Sites in Idaho
Despite the repeal, the legacy of prohibition lingered in Idaho—not just in policy, but in the buildings, stories, and hidden corners that still whisper of a time when alcohol was outlawed and rebellion brewed beneath the surface. Today, you can still find remnants of this era scattered across the state. Let’s explore some of Idaho’s most intriguing Prohibition sites and uncover the stories they have to tell.
Moonshine Sites in Mackay, Boise, & Other Idaho Regions
When alcohol was banned in Idaho, locals had to get creative to brew drinks under the radar. So, they started distilling in secret, often under the light of the moon, working hard to avoid detection and stay one step ahead of the feds. That’s how the term “moonshine” became popular during Idaho’s Prohibition Era, referring to the illicit liquor made under the cover of darkness. Moonshine typically included a mixture of crushed corn, sugar, water, and yeast, which were easy to come by during the time. The mash was fermented to produce alcohol and distilled to separate the alcohol from the mashed solids. One defining characteristic of moonshine is its lack of aging. Unlike whiskey, which is aged in barrels to develop a deep, complex flavor, moonshine is bottled and consumed immediately after distillation—most likely because locals couldn’t wait to sneak a taste in secret.
Just like the rest of the country, Idaho had its fair share of moonshiners during the prohibition, who’d illegally distill and sell liquor, and many of these moonshine sites can be visited today. Shoshone County, in particular, never fully went dry. While officials acknowledged that alcohol was technically illegal, they often paid no heed to what was happening behind the scenes. Alcohol was frequently smuggled across Shoshone County’s mountains into Montana, supplying booze to nearby regions. In the small town of Kellogg, illegal moonshine operations were taking place right under the feds’ noses. One resident from the time, Ulysses Showalter, reminisced, “The moonshine that I made was medicine. You know, you’d never have any stomach trouble if you had some of that every day.” He also recalled the exact location of the secret operations: “You see up there at Kellogg—it wasn’t exactly right at Kellogg—up there was a creek and they called it Moon Creek, ‘cause there was so much moonshine made on it. There was an Italian, well, maybe three or four of ‘em, I don’t know. Anyway, they built a house there that would hold probably a hundred of them barrels. And they had it up in there.” Showalter and other moonshiners most likely supplied the town and much of Northern Idaho with illegal spirits at the time.
Visit Moon Creek: Today, Moon Creek can still be visited, offering beautiful views and a storied past. Although you may not see stills there today, the echoes of its Prohibition Era legacy linger in the landscape, reminding visitors of a time when secrecy, ingenuity, and a little rebellion flowed as freely as the creek itself.
Over 350 miles south, Mackay, Idaho, was another city known for its good moonshine. According to Mick Hoover, a curator at the Lost River Museum, the moonshine operation in Mackay was on an industrial scale during the Roaring Twenties. To cover their secrets, locals would have barrels of corn come into the Mackay Depot marked “corn for distilling” along with sugar and yeast. Although many residents knew what the ingredients would be used for, they decided to ignore it, most likely because they’d want a bottle of the moonshine themselves.
Visit Lost River Museum: Today, you can visit the Lost River Museum and see a small moonshine still on display.
In Boise, both law enforcement and locals were caught making moonshine under the table—it seems those meant to uphold the law had a hard time following it themselves. The evidence found against them? Several barrels of illegal booze and the damning testimony of a witness who had eavesdropped on conversations in the office of Dr. Henry Goodfriend, a trusted local physician, located in Boise’s Empire Building. The witness listened in through her husband’s office, adjoining the doctors, and quickly started taking notes after hearing the local lawbreakers. Supposedly, she heard Goodfriend conspiring to set up a still nearby. By peeking through a crack in the wall, the witness was able to identify the other speakers and immediately contacted Prohibition officers. With their help, she placed a recording device beneath the physician’s desk—evidence that ultimately gave federal agents what they needed to press charges. Many of the men were found guilty on all six counts of the indictment.
Visit the Empire Building: If you’d like to see the Idaho moonshine site for yourself, visit the Empire Building. Here, the investigation unfolded, and covert recordings were made that ultimately brought moonshiners to justice. While the building has taken on new purposes over the years, its walls still echo with whispers from Boise’s Prohibition Era past.
Silver Horseshoe Inn in St. Anthony, Idaho
Built in 1910, the Silver Horseshoe Inn has long been entwined with Idaho’s Prohibition Era past. Originally established as a restaurant, bar, and hotel with live music, it quickly became a lively hub for travelers and locals alike—and remains a cherished landmark in the state’s rich history. Legend has it that a network of underground tunnels beneath the inn, now sealed off, was once used for bootlegging, allowing patrons to secretly indulge in forbidden spirits during Prohibition. Ask the locals who used those hidden tunnels for bootlegging; you might be surprised by the answer: the Chicago Mafia. Back in the day, members under heat were sent to Saint Anthony as a remote location to lay low while pursued by federal agents. But with little to do in the sleepy town, the men grew restless. So, what did they turn to for a new thrill? Rum-running through the underground tunnels beneath the Silver Horseshoe Inn. Hence, why the town’s earned the nickname “Little Chicago.”
In the 1940s, Roy Powell purchased the Silver Horseshoe Inn and began shaping it into the beloved landmark it is today—a treasure cherished both locally and beyond. Now a boutique hotel, the inn features 12 professionally designed rooms, each with its distinct character and layout.
Visit the Silver Horseshoe Inn: Step into one of Idaho’s prohibition sites at the charming lodging space in Downtown St. Anthony, Idaho. Visit their website to book your stay and enjoy the cozy property while being steeped in regional prohibition history.
Island Park, Idaho
After the prohibition ended, Idaho still kept strict alcohol laws, making it difficult for businesses to serve drinks. One such law stated that businesses could only sell and serve alcoholic beverages in incorporated towns. This rule led to the creation of one town near the border of Montana and Wyoming: Island Park, Idaho. Locals wanted to enjoy their booze without the constant fear of federal interference, so in 1947, they incorporated lodges and businesses along a single stretch of road and named it “Island Park.” The city’s main thoroughfare, Highway 20, would eventually become the longest main street in America—a testament to just how much Idahoans valued their liquor and a good time.
Visit Island Park, Idaho: Today, Island Park is a beautiful tourist getaway. With outdoor activities like fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and access to breathtaking state and national parks, the town offers a tranquil escape from the noise of city life. Drive down the 33-mile-long main street to soak in views of rivers, lakes, and mountains, and consider staying in one of its cozy lodges for the full experience.
Turf Club in Twin Falls, Idaho
What would the prohibition and the Roaring Twenties be without introducing speakeasies in America? The term “speakeasy” comes from “speak-softly businesses,” which were often illegal drinking establishments in England and Ireland in the 19th century. Customers were told to keep things hush-hush inside and nearby the business, ensuring the secret was kept safe from law enforcement. The term only made its way to the U.S. in the 1920s, during Prohibition, when alcohol was banned and liquor could only be found behind closed doors in discreet venues known as speakeasies. Visitors often had to provide a password, give a secret knock, or perform a special handshake to gain entry, where they were greeted by flapper girls, rebellious patrons, and alcohol flowing freely despite the law.
Although speakeasies gradually disappeared after Prohibition ended in 1933, Idaho law still made it challenging to serve liquor by the drink. As mentioned, the law stated that alcohol could only be served over a bar if the establishment was located within an incorporated municipality. Unfortunately, many drinking holes, like the Turf Club, didn’t meet the strict requirements. Established on July 4, 1946, a group of local ranchers and businessmen started the risky establishment, selling liquor under the counter. If law enforcement came, the alcohol was quickly hidden in a nearby barn until the coast was clear. This humble speakeasy sat in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by Idaho’s cornfields. Yet it became a favorite watering hole for adventurous souls—a place to drink, gamble, and toast to good times and a taste of rebellion. Over the years, the Turf Club remained a pillar of the community, hosting jazz nights, dancing, and slot machines. In 1968, it finally earned a liquor license, becoming legal in the eyes of the state. After a change in ownership, the Turf Club was revitalized to a fine dining establishment, welcoming famed personalities, including Bruce Willis, Ernest Hemingway, Omar Epps, and political figures like President Nixon, Regan, and Bush.
Over the past few decades, the Turf Club has served as an Italian restaurant, banquet, event center, and a beloved local favorite. Today, it is a historic landmark in Twin Falls and has been reimagined once again, returning to its roots as a speakeasy-inspired fine dining destination. The space now includes both a lively lounge and an elegant dining room, along with Griff’s, a hidden bar tucked away on the property, serving craft cocktails and immersing guests in the spirit of the Prohibition Era. Featuring locally procured steak, fresh seafood, and an ever-changing seasonal menu, the Turf Club pays homage to its storied past while offering a modern, elevated dining experience rooted in tradition and community.
Read more about the Turf Club's history before planning your visit.
Visit Turf Club: Located in Twin Falls, the Turf Club is a must-see prohibition site in Idaho. Visit the space to be transported back to a time when alcohol was illegal, secrets ran deep, and every drink felt like an act of rebellion.
Visit an Idaho Prohibition Site Today
Idaho’s hidden bars and historic moonshine sites tell a story far richer than bootlegged liquor and secret knocks. These sites are living reminders of a time when rebellion brewed beneath the surface and community gathered in hushed laughter behind closed doors. Whether you’re sipping a craft cocktail in Griff’s or visiting a town whose very existence was shaped by prohibition, you’re experiencing a living piece of history, where every detail echoes a time of secrecy, resilience, and spirited rebellion. So raise a glass to the past, and let the history of prohibition in Idaho deepen your appreciation for the stories hidden in plain sight.
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