Prohibition and the "Bloody Bucket"

A Speakeasy During Prohibition
The 18th Amendment passed in 1919 forbade the manufacture, distribution or sale of liquor in the U.S.A. Liquor was defined as any beverage having 1/2 of 1% alcoholic content by volume. Some men opened the caverns as a moonshine and square dance center with a little gambling thrown in for good measure. Residents soon knew DeSoto Caverns as one of Birmingham area's more rough "speakeasies."

Because of shootings and fights that erupted on a continuing basis, the caverns became known in the early 1920's as "The Bloody Bucket." Soon, however, due to its growing reputation, Federal Agents closed it down. With the ratification of the 21st Amendment in 1933, the 18th Amendment was repealed, but "The Bloody Bucket" was not re-opened.