A century ago, Prohibition was the law of the land, but Maine—with its long, rugged coastline and proximity to Canada—was an ideal haven for smugglers. Vehicles used to transport illegal liquor were often seized, libeled in civil court, forfeited, and later sold by the government.
An article in the Portland Press Herald dated November 18, 1925, reported that Ralph Woodward of Scarborough had his sedan seized by federal authorities for use in rum-running. Along with Woodward’s car, a touring car and a truck were also forfeited, according to the report.
Today, one hundred years later, it’s difficult to imagine the days when “rum running” was part of local life—when a person could lose their car for defying the dry laws of the Prohibition era. Yet, these stories remind us that even in quiet towns like Scarborough, the national struggle over alcohol left its mark.
Originally published in the November/December 2025 edition of Owascoag Notes, the Scarborough Historical Society‘s monthly newsletter.
Pingback: Updates October 2025 | Scarborough Historical Society