Detroit's prohibition past: How the city kept the drinks flowing during the 'war on alcohol'

Detroit played a central role in Prohibition-era alcohol smuggling during the 1920s, with the Purple Gang facilitating cross-border operations from Canada and speakeasies operating in hidden locations. The Damon Act, passed in Michigan before the 18th Amendment, served as a blueprint for national prohibition, while Tommy's Detroit Bar and Grille functioned as both a speakeasy and smuggling hub.