Bootleggers, Organized Crime & Prohibition | Douglas County Libraries

Gambling Operators Bet on Douglas County - Archives & Local History blog

https://dclblog.org/archives/gambling-douglas-county/

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Ova Elijah "Smiling Charlie" Stephens operated an illegal casino on the border of Douglas and Arapahoe Counties in the 1930s. Blakeland Inn, als...Show more Ova Elijah "Smiling Charlie" Stephens operated an illegal casino on the border of Douglas and Arapahoe Counties in the 1930s. Blakeland Inn, also known as Wolhurst, operated secretly as a casino, including an underground escape tunnel to assist gamblers in fleeing the law. This blog written by ALH staff traces Blakeland Inn and other Douglas County illegal gambling operations. Show less

Douglas County Clippings Notebook : Crime

Book -

Archives & Local History's collection of clippings binders contain extensive newspaper articles organized by topic and date. The "Prohibition / G...Show more Archives & Local History's collection of clippings binders contain extensive newspaper articles organized by topic and date. The "Prohibition / Gambling" tab in the "Crime" binder lists articles about bootleggers, gamblers, casinos, and more. This binder is part of Archives & Local History's reference collections and cannot be checked out. It is accessible in the Archives & Local History reading room at the Castle Rock – Philip S. Miller branch any time the branch is open. Show less

In-library use only in some locations

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Louis "Diamond Jack" Alterie Photograph, 2002.064

https://alh.archives.dcl.org/repositories/2/accessions/781

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"Diamond Jack" or "Two Gun" Alterie, born Leland A. Varain, was a Chicago hitman who owned property in Jarre Canon in the 1930s. This image from the archives shows Alterie in a 10-gallon hat. "Diamond Jack" or "Two Gun" Alterie, born Leland A. Varain, was a Chicago hitman who owned property in Jarre Canon in the 1930s. This image from the archives shows Alterie in a 10-gallon hat. Show less

The Melodrama of Wolhurst

Celebrated Colorado Show Place

by Bancroft, Caroline

Book - 1952

Wolhurst, a Tudor manor house once located along Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, was a home for socialites, politicians, a gold baron, and organized crime. O...Show more Wolhurst, a Tudor manor house once located along Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, was a home for socialites, politicians, a gold baron, and organized crime. One of its owners, Ova Elijah "Smiling Charlie" Stephens, ran a speakeasy and casino just after Prohibition. A tunnel from the manor to the casino ran under the Douglas/Arapahoe County line, assisting gamblers in fleeing from the law. This book traces some of the drama that occurred at Wolhurst. This item is archival and cannot be checked out. It is accessible through Archives & Local History at the Castle Rock – Philip S. Miller branch from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Show less

In-library use only in some locations

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcjgYSmLh_c

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This YouTube video by the Littleton government traces the sometimes shady history of Wolhurst Manor, used as an illegal casino in the 1930s (complete with an underground escape tunnel). This YouTube video by the Littleton government traces the sometimes shady history of Wolhurst Manor, used as an illegal casino in the 1930s (complete with an underground escape tunnel). Show less

Wolhurst collections, Denver Public Library

https://digital.denverlibrary.org/digital/collection/p15330coll22/search/searchterm/wolhurst

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This link navigates to Denver Public Library's digital collections on Wolhurst Manor. This link navigates to Denver Public Library's digital collections on Wolhurst Manor. Show less

That Night in Franktown, Co

by Nielsen, Keith H.

Book - 2015

This fiction book by local author Keith Nielsen is loosely based on true events. Set in the 1920s, this adventure novel features Prohibition, gangsters, and the Ku Klux Klan. This fiction book by local author Keith Nielsen is loosely based on true events. Set in the 1920s, this adventure novel features Prohibition, gangsters, and the Ku Klux Klan. Show less

In-library use only in some locations

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Dry Times in the Highest State: Colorado’s Prohibition Movement | Erstwhile: A History Blog

https://erstwhileblog.com/2019/02/27/colorado-prohibition-movement/

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From Erstwhile: "Guest writer Sam Bock (M.A., CU Boulder) places Colorado's early adoption of Prohibition in social and political context, suggesting the continuing resonances of those circumstances today." From Erstwhile: "Guest writer Sam Bock (M.A., CU Boulder) places Colorado's early adoption of Prohibition in social and political context, suggesting the continuing resonances of those circumstances today." Show less

Prohibition in Colorado: Denver Public Library

https://history.denverlibrary.org/news/prohibition-colorado

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This short blog post introduces James W. Melrose, a Colorado State Prohibition Agent. The blog also points to the Francis Melrose Papers (WH995), which include materials about Melrose's career collected by his daughter. This short blog post introduces James W. Melrose, a Colorado State Prohibition Agent. The blog also points to the Francis Melrose Papers (WH995), which include materials about Melrose's career collected by his daughter. Show less

A People's History of Alcohol Prohibition in Colorado: Labor, Class, Gender, and Moral Reform 1916-1933

http://digital.auraria.edu/IR00000098/00001

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This undergraduate thesis from Metropolitan State University, authored by Saya "Ted" Richthofen, details the history of Prohibition in Colorado. This undergraduate thesis from Metropolitan State University, authored by Saya "Ted" Richthofen, details the history of Prohibition in Colorado. Show less