Oceanside Lecture Series: Roaring 20s and The Real McCoy
Time:
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
$5 – $10
THE ROARING ’20s and the Real McCoy
Presenter: Al Simbritz
The 1920s. Prohibition. Bootlegging. Rum runners. And a Florida coast that had plenty of stories to tell.
Step back into the Roaring Twenties and discover the fascinating world of Prohibition, when smugglers, bootleggers, and rum runners found opportunity on the water.
Among the most legendary was William “Bill” McCoy, a skilled Florida boatbuilder who became one of the best-known rum runners of the Prohibition era. McCoy built his reputation on selling genuine, unadulterated liquor—unlike many bootleggers who watered down or altered their products. His commitment to quality helped give rise to the famous expression “The Real McCoy.”
Discover the stories behind Rum Row, bootlegging, and the colorful characters who kept America supplied during Prohibition—including the man whose name became synonymous with the genuine article.
