Prohibition Finally Ends in Marple

The old Drove Tavern, which blocked the path of Sproul Road

Marple Historical Society

Written by Doug Humes

Prohibition ended for most of the United States in 1933. But things move more slowly in Marple Township. Prohibition just ended in Marple with the recent opening of the Marple Public House.

In the 19th century, the place to purchase your liquor by the glass in Marple was the Drove Tavern on West Chester Pike (immediately west of what is today Armenian Delight). The tavern served drovers, who would drive livestock from the country to the city for sale at the larger markets in Philadelphia. The Lamb Tavern provided the same beverages for the southern end of the township. All of that came to an end with the adoption of the 18th Amendment, prohibiting “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors” in the U.S.

The Lamb Tavern, which catered to a more gentile clientele than drovers

Marple Historical Society

Liquor was driven underground. The supply chain was taken over by gangsters and bred more violent crime. People still gathered and drank in illegal speakeasies. Like the drug wars of today, people were arrested and some were jailed for non-violent acts like having a beer with their friends. It was a noble experiment to deal with a social problem. And it failed.

In 1933, the 21st Amendment made alcohol legal. States were allowed to pass their own regulations. Pennsylvania decided that the state itself would control liquor sales from “state stores,” with a “local option” that permitted each township to decide for itself whether to ban liquor, beer and bars within its borders. Townships that allowed alcohol were called “wet” while those that prohibited sales were “dry.”

Results of the 1971 vote Delaware County Times headline

While Marple was initially “wet,” in 1935 the issue was put on the ballot and Marple voted 305 to 278 to end liquor licenses, while a tie vote of 291-291 allowed beer sales to continue. By 1939, there was only one beer taproom in Marple. The Drys brought the matter to a vote again and this time succeeded in prohibiting the sales of beer as well. In 1971, another vote was taken, and the Drys won by a 2-1 margin. Yet exceptions were made. The State could open its liquor store in Lawrence Park. Beer distributors were allowed. Paxon Hollow Golf Club was exempted as a country club.

Celebrating the opening of the Marple Public House

Doug Humes’ private collection

In May 2019, the issue was again on the ballot – and finally the Wets won, by an almost 2-1 vote. And so alcohol is available in Marple, at grocery stores, convenience stores, hotels, and for the first time since 1939, in a tavern. In August 2021, the Marple Public House opened on Sproul Road, within a stone’s throw of the old Drove Tavern!

For more on the history of Marple, visit the Marple Historical Society website and Facebook page, and join the Society to keep up to date on coming events www.MarpleHistoricalSociety.org.