Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control Records
- Creators:
- Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
- Abstract:
- The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) was created by Constitutional Amendment (Statutes of 1954, 1st. Ex. Sess., chapter 20, p. 274. Effective July 1, 1954, operative Jan. 1, 1955; Constitution Article XX, Section 22, as amended November 2, 1954) taking over the functions of liquor licensing and compliance which were formerly under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Equalization. The Governor appoints the Director of the Department, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. The Alcoholic Beverage Control records consist of 14 cubic feet of records and 3 photographs. They document the department's work to control and regulate the manufacture, importation, advertisement, licensing, and sale of alcoholic beverages.
- Extent:
- 14 Cubic Feet 3 Items
- Language:
- English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control Records, F3718.1-375c, California State Archives.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Alcoholic Beverage Control records consist of 14 cubic feet of records and 3 photographs. They document the department's work to control and regulate the manufacture, importation, advertisement, licensing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. The records are arranged into 6 series consisting of correspondence with the general public, correspondence with area, district and branch offices, and correspondence with other California state agencies, documentation on alcohol advertising practices, subject files, and photographs. Of particular interest in the subject files may be material concerning the reinstatement of licenses confiscated from persons of Japanese ancestry during World War II. This agency is still active and future accruals are expected.
Many records of the Board of Equalizations Alcoholic Beverage Control Division are included in this record group because the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control made them part of their records. The records of the two agencies are difficult to separate without fragmenting the records and destroying their integrity.
- Biographical / historical:
-
From 1933 until 1955, the State Board of Equalizations Alcoholic Beverage Control Division was the overseer of the licensing and regulation of the liquor industry (Const. Art. XX, Section 22, as amended Nov. 8, 1932. Effective Dec. 19, 1932). When an amendment to the Volstead Act, the federal legislation implementing the prohibition of liquor, permitted the return of 3.2 beer, the California legislature provided for the licensing of manufacturers and importors of the beverage (Stats. 1933, ch. 178, p. 626. Effective April 27, 1933). Another act passed in the same session established a more comprehensive licensing system in anticipation of the repeal of Prohibition (Stats. 1933, ch. 658, p. 1697. Effective upon repeal of Prohibition [Dec. 5, 1933]). The Board's exclusive powers to license the manufacture, importation and sale of intoxicating beverage in the State were by Constitutional Amendment (Const. Art. XX, Section 22, as amended Nov. 6, 1934).
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control was created by Constitutional Amendment (Stats. 1954, 1st. Ex. Sess., ch. 20, p. 274. Effective July 1, 1954, operative Jan. 1, 1955; Const. Art. XX, Section 22, as amended Nov. 2, 1954) taking over the functions of liquor licensing and compliance which were formerly under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Equalization. The Governor appoints the Director of the Department, subject to confirmation by the State Senate.
Liquor control in the State is provided by the Department through the licensing and regulation of the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. The Department investigates proposed licensed premises and the area surrounding it; investigates license applicants' background and record; determines the true ownership of the proposed licensed premises and collects license fees. The compliance function entails the detection, investigation and prevention of violations under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. The department directs major attention toward prevention of sales to minors and intoxicated persons, elimination of police problems and disorderly premises, advertising practices and fair trade practices. The Department maintains close relationships with local police departments and other regulatory agencies.
- Physical location:
- California State Archives
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- © 2012
- Date Encoded:
- Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by Apex Data Services, August 2000. Supplementary encoding and revision supplied by Brooke Dykman Dockter and Jessica Moran.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
- Terms of access:
-
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control Records, F3718.1-375c, California State Archives.
- Location of this collection:
-
1020 "O" StreetSacramento, CA 95814, US
- Contact:
- (916) 653-2246