1855
Northwestern’s Methodist trustees graciously set the party tone for over 120 years when they amend the university’s charter to prohibit all “spirituous, vinous or fermented liquors” within four miles of campus. Imbibing comes with a $25 fine.
1879
The woman who resigned as dean of Northwestern’s Women’s College, partly over concerns of audacious girls who — gasp — accepted escorts without proper permission, becomes president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Frances Willard, protector of sobriety, and the WCTU, headquartered in Evanston, later lend a hand in national prohibition, and keep Evanston dry for a very long time.
1920
Hide that liquor! (Oh wait, you already do). Prohibition begins.
1934
After the end of Prohibition, bars crop up on Howard Street in Chicago and in Skokie, tantalizingly close to Evanston.
1972
Evanston learns you can’t have a Holiday Inn if you can’t also have a drink at the bar. Development plans for the hotel were marred because it could not serve thirsty travelers. And if the Holiday Inn gets a liquor license, well the Hotel Orrington wants one, too. The City Council approves the sale of liquor to promote business growth and to appease everyone. Almost. WCTU president Mrs. Ruth Tooze tells Time Magazine, “The shadow of the saloon is lengthening over Evanston. Soon our streets will be filled with drunks.”
1975
In order to take advantage of the legal drinking age, students lobby for the abolition of the Northwestern amendment banning alcohol within four miles of campus. The university files a lawsuit, and the court determines that Evanston’s actions voided the charter amendment. Students of ageds 19 now have a shorter walk to imbibe beer and wine.
1984
Is it too obvious to wonder why it’s called Evanston First Liquors? EV1 becomes Evanston’s first retail liquor store.
Spring 2003
During a spring formal at the Shedd Aquarium, a Kappa Sigma fraternity brother drops a flask in a beluga whale tank. The whale retrieves it and then brings the flask to its trainer, who then gives it back to its owner. Kappa Sig is suspended.
October 2003
The Frances Willard party, a mock tribute to the prohibitionist, is cancelled for the first time in 35 years when fire officials deem the dormitory unfit for hosting throngs of drunken college students. The party was said to compete with Dillo Day as one of the largest and most alcohol-fueled events of the year. Hard to say if the crusader would approve.
May 2006
Blindfolded and binded, photos of the Women’s Soccer Team surface online, showing new members participating in underage drinking and simulating sexual acts. Badjocks.com picks up the pictures, and the national media pick up the scandal.
September 2008
Elite business school throws party. Elite business school students throw up. At a Field Museum gathering, drunken Kellogg students vomit on themselves and the floor, pass out and spit at people.