The eyes of the Temperance Reformers on the Pacific Coast are turned to LaCamas to watch the struggle now going on and to admire the skill and faithfulness by which the people of Columbia precinct are crushing the slimy serpent that is attempting to poison our life’s blood by its sting.
The LaCamas News Feb. 12, 1888
Early LaCamas settlers included progressive-minded Protestants who wanted to establish a “dry” town, and worked to enforce the observance of Sabbath. While Washougal was home to several bars, LaCamas residents rallied in 1888 to prevent the county commissioners from granting an alcohol permit in their town.
Prohibitionists organized meetings and and protest rallies at the town’s first church, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, and at McMaster’s store after Clark County Commissioners issued a liquor license to Vancouver resident W.W. Proebstel in 1888. Aneas McMaster was the secretary of the anti-alcohol committee, which successfully convinced the Clark County Commissioners to revoke the permit.
The struggle between the “wets” and the “drys” in the temperance debate continued for many years. In 1906 the town mayor attempted to rid the town of saloons by holding saloon owners personally responsible for public drunkenness. While two saloons owners were forced to close their establishments, two more drinking establishments were opened the next year.
Newspaper article: “… was refused a license to open a saloon…”
