Vintage postcards from the temperance movement and Prohibition era

The pro-booze factions often depicted women as wanting to prevent men from having fun, as on this vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

The Women’s Christian Temperance Union opened a home for its elderly and needy members in Eagle Rock, in a building that still stands, seen on a vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

The California headquarters of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, seen on a vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection, were in a house that still stands. 

Snakes, spiders, death and an anti-booze message — all on a vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

A limerick on a vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection makes a case for abstaining from alcohol. 

A life in a saloon or a life of success is the choice presented on this vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

Anti-alcohol messaging often poked fun at drunkards, as seen on this vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

A red-faced man, with someone waiting for him inside, returns home on this vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

Temperance messaging was often unsubtle, as on this vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

Many made the moral case for Prohibition, including on this vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

A boy pledges not to drink on this vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

The temperance movement’s victory was short-lived, despite the funeral for “Kid Booze” depicted on this vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection. 

An anti-alcohol vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection shows a progression from lemonade to the grave.