The Prohibition Era

Prohibition and its impact on The Bahamas. From 1919 to 1933 Prohibition allowed The Bahamian economy to flourish and alleviated the economic slump that Bay Street merchants experienced. A London times report in 1920 stated that Prohibition “ transformed the Bahamas government's financial position as if by magic from a deficit to a comparatively huge surplus, provided labor for large numbers of unemployed Bahamians and put more money into circulation in this little British colony than has been the case for many years.” This allowed many business to form on Bay Street such as Kelly's hardware, Mike’s shoe store, Williams shoe store and John bull limited which was established by Asa. H. Pritchard. The Bahamas was a bootleg mecca from which the fortunes of many future prominent Bahamian families were made. Many famous Americans had ties to The Bahamas during this economic boom such as Al Capone. In 1929 Capone even told the Chicago tribune that he bought a 500 acre island in The Bahamas and travels there 3 times a week on his hydro-aeroplane. He also stated that he was planning a health resort on his island. When government authorities got news of his plans he was no longer allowed entry in The Bahamas.