Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The First Act of Alcohol Prohibition in America
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, April 28, 2019
1. The First Act of Alcohol Prohibition in America Marker
Prohibition in America was decreed
in Savannah in 1735
Issued by His Majesty King George II
to General James Oglethorpe,
founder of the Colony of Georgia
"Whereas it is found by Experience that the use of Liquors called Rum and Brandy, in the Province of Georgia are more particularly hurtful and pernicious to Man's Body and have been attended with dangerous Maladies and fatal distempers NO Rum or Brandy nor any other kind of Spirits or Strong Waters by whatsoever name they are or may be distinguished shall be imported or brought to shore."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1735.
Location. 32° 4.836′ N, 81° 5.677′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. It can be reached from West Saint Julian Street east of Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted at eye-level, on the American Prohibition Museum building, just to the left of the front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 West Saint Julian Street, Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
this page online
Also see . . .
1. (Moon)Shine On New American Prohibition Museum is the toast of the town. Connect Savannah website entry (Submitted on November 24, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Rum Banned in Georgia, November 21, 1733. In response to an Aug. 12, 1733 letter from James Oglethorpe stating that rum drinking was responsible for much of the sickness and death in Georgia, the colonys Trustees voted to prohibit the drinking of rum in Georgia and directed that all barrels or other containers of rum brought into the
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, April 28, 2019
2. The First Act of Alcohol Prohibition in America Marker (marker mounted just left of entrance)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, April 28, 2019
3. American Prohibition Museum (wide view; marker mounted just left of entrance)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,958 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
