On This Date in Minnesota History: December 18

December 18, 1915 – “The swan song of the saloons was sung in Pennington county [today] when 12 thirst parlors closed their doors and for three years at least the authorities promise a ‘dry’ zone, so far as law enforcement can make this possible. The passing of saloons in [Thief River Falls] removes many old-time landmarks and places of amusement where in the halycon (sic) days of the lumberjack and woodsman, high jinks and good fellowship, in a rough way, to be sure, but quite common at that, prevailed. Moving picture houses, groceries, confectionaries and soft drink emporiums are to take the place of saloons here.”

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; Bemidji, Minn.; December 20, 1915; p. 1.