Speakeasy

With the opening of the Graw Racetrack in 1912, Havre de Grace became a place where people journeyed to be entertained, both at the track and elsewhere. With the start of Prohibition in 1920, the sale alcohol was illegal, but the public’s thirst for it didn’t go away. To satisfy this demand, speakeasys, places where alcohol could be purchased out of public sight, sprang up. Havre de Grace had a number of such operations, which came and went until Prohibition was repealed in 1933. In addition to serving liquor, many speakeasys offered patrons opportunities to gamble and to listen and dance to popular music – most often jazz and big band sounds.

​

The search for entertainment continued after the end of Prohibition, and the clubs could operate in the open. Bands, from small local groups to big touring orchestras, were booked into hotels and clubs in Havre de Grace as long as the Graw had racing dates. The Speakeasy mural envisions Cab Calloway’s big band orchestra playing a gig in the City sometime in the 1930’s. Calloway was

one of the country’s most famous band leaders for more than 20 years. His daughter, Camay Murphy, lived in Havre de Grace for many years, passing away in 2024. She was active in the community and was well-loved by all.