HISTORY: Prohibitionist Urges the Drinking of Water in Port Jefferson

There have been many parades in Port Jefferson but this has to be one is one of the most original, at least by our modern standards. In this historical photo a prohibitionist rides atop a water wagon driving it down Myrtle Avenue to make her point.

According to village historian Kenneth Brady, "temperance activists urged villagers to forego intoxicating beverages in any form and to drink nature’s bountiful gift, cold water."

Embazoned on the side of the wagon are the words: We Are For Prohibition.

You can find the original photo here in the Port Jefferson Village Historical Archive containing a wealth of digital images available for anyone to view. You can see thousands more photos, many available for reprint, on the village’s website by clicking here.