Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Inventory of the Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control
F3718.1-374c  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Overview
 
Table of contents What's This?
Description
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.
Background
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).
Extent
14 Cubic Feet 3 Items
Restrictions
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.
Availability
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.