Seattle Prohibition: Bootleggers, Rumrunners & Graft in the Queen City

by Brad Holden

Prohibition consumed Seattle, igniting a war that lasted nearly twenty years and played out in the streets, waterways and even town hall. Roy Olmstead, formerly a Seattle police officer, became the King of the Seattle Bootleggers, and Johnny Schnarr, running liquor down from Canada, revolutionized the speedboat industry. Frank Gatt, a south Seattle restaurateur, started the state's biggest moonshining operation. Skirting around the law, the Coast Guard and the zealous assistant director of the Seattle Prohibition Bureau, William Whitney, was no simple feat, but many rose to the challenge. Author Brad Holden tells the spectacular story of Seattle in the time of Prohibition.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2019

About the author

Author. Historian. Finder of Old Things. When not out searching for local historical artifacts, Brad Holden enjoys writing about the more illicit side of Seattle’s past. He is a contributing writer for HistoryLink.org (an online encyclopedia of Washington state history) and his work has also appeared in Seattle Magazine and several newspapers. Holden has been profiled on KIRO and KOMO news, Seattle Refined, NPR, King 5 Evening! and various publications. His trilogy of books related to the Prohibition era are available online and at bookstores everywhere. He lives in Edmonds, WA.

Reviews

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, but wildly entertaining look at "boozeless" Seattle, which was anything but. Locals will be charmed by the geographical name-dropping and backstories to things like the recently uncovered Louisa Hotel murals which adorned the staircase leading down to the infamous speakeacy "Bucket of Blood". Others will find interesting the anomaly of Seattle's Prohibiton-era bootlegging which differed greatly from the experience of other cities. This was mostly due to the fact that Seattle bootlegging wasn't so much centered around organized crime, like its eastern counterparts. In fact, most of the criminal empires were local guys like Roy Olmstead who ended up during the course of his criminal activities setting up Seattle's first radio station out of his house or family man Frank Gatt who just couldn't ever be caught doing anything red-handed. Most of the violence was on the part of the local federal agents, though the Coast Guard was not above machine-gunning rumrunners sneaking booze down through the islands from Canada.
Probably could've been longer, but there are some great, often hilarious stories told here.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced, well-researched, and well-written book on the history of prohibition in Seattle that read like a novel. Very entertaining and informative.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast moving, informative history of Prohibition in Seattle. The region experienced the ill-fated federal law with a variety corrupt police and politicians; scores of illegal speakeasies; and bootlegging via fast boats crisscrossing the waterways between Canada and the San Juan Islands, Seattle and south Puget Sound. Many Seattleites worked to skirt the law and quench the thirsts of an alcohol-desirous population, despite the network of law enforcement, clergy, and elected officials working to thwart the distribution and consumption of alcohol. As native Seattleite, I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing story of region in the time of Prohibition. (3.5 stars!)

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a recent trip to the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle, I was intrigued by a 1920s photo of bootlegger Frank Olmsted and his wife, Elise and decided to learn more about their story. Their story, and that of many other rum runners, law men, and politicians (including Seattle’s first female mayor- a prohibitionist) are included in this book. And it is such a fun book! The author writes the frequently surprising facts of the Seattle Prohibition era in a fast pace, with a little bit of wryness. I highlighted several things to follow up on and research further. If you’ve ever taken the Seattle Underground tour, you’ve heard some of this already, but there’s more to learn here.

[Meyari McFarland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this one to research the Prohibition era in Seattle for a story I'm working on. It had a good survey of the situation with some very nice photos but I, of course, wish that there was a great deal more detail in it.

For what it is, its very good. It's just a survey of the era, not a detailed history of it. Still, recommended if you want to get an idea of what Prohibition was to Seattle before, during and immediately after the era.

[JKC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty fast and entertaining read considering it is nonfiction. Perhaps tailored more towards folks who live in the region but fascinating nonetheless - a picture of life during Prohibition, and before and after, from a part of the country that was every bit as active during that time but that we don't see much in movies about the period. I learned a lot and gained a whole new appreciation for certain businesses that still stand after all of these years and their links to that time.

[Laura Axline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique View of Seattle’s History

What a fun and interesting read! I loved learning about a different part of Seattle’s unique history…plus some surprises along the way. Would recommend to anyone wanting to learn more Seattle history or more about parts of prohibition.