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Tom's Town Distilling Co. and the Legend of Tom Pendergast

We named Tom’s Town Distilling Co. after the country’s most corrupt political boss, Tom Pendergast. Pendergast started as a saloon keeper and the founder of a wholesale liquor company.

Under Tom, Kansas City ignored Prohibition and emerged as the “Paris of the Plains.” Money, jazz, and spirits flowed in the open. When asked how he justified ignoring Prohibition, Pendergast quipped, “The people are thirsty.”

Today the people are still thirsty. Tom’s Town satisfies that thirst by producing premium craft spirits. You can taste our high standards and attention to detail in every sip of the gin, vodka, and bourbon we make.

  • Black and white portrait of a man with a mustache wearing a suit and bow tie.

    1889

    Tom Pendergast comes to Kansas City to work at his brother’s saloon and make his place in the city.

  • A cartoon drawing of a man in a suit holding a box labeled 'wholesale liquors' with a large bottle inside, standing next to a large beer barrel.

    1911

    Pendergast joins with two gambling buddies to found the T.J. Pendergast Wholesale Liquor Company.

  • Historical black and white photo of a man in a uniform inspecting a large metal drum or container with several uniformed police officers and onlookers around him.

    1920

    The U.S. Government enacts the 18th Amendment on Jan. 16, prohibiting manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors. It’s the best day of Tom Pendergast’s life.

  • Book cover titled 'Tom's Town' by William M. Reddig featuring a black and white photo of a man in a suit and tie.

    1921

    Kansas City becomes known as “Tom’s Town” because of Pendergast’s growing political control and influence.

  • Black and white photo of a clothing store with multiple customers browsing and shopping.

    1922

    Tom Pendergast chooses Harry S. Truman, a downtown haberdasher, to run for a post on the administrative court of Jackson County. Truman wins.

  • Black and white portrait of a man with light-colored hair, wearing a suit and tie.

    1925

    A movement succeeds to reshape the city government, creating weak mayor, a powerful city manager. Pendergast co-opts enough power to name Henry McElroy the city manager.

  • Black-and-white photograph of a smiling man wearing a hat and suit, with a faint, blurred gradient background.

    1927

    Tom Pendergast’s office, known as the “Jackson Democratic Club,” was on the second floor of this two-story building at 1908 Main, just blocks from the current Tom’s Town Distillery.

  • Black and white vintage photograph of a car parked outside a brick building with a striped awning, two men in uniform sitting inside, and two women standing in the background.

    1932

    Under “Home Rule,” Pendergast controls the police force. He replaces Republicans and Democratic “rabbits” with machine-friendly “goats.”

  • Vintage black and white photo of musicians performing on stage at a place called Muehlebach Inn, with a couple sitting at a table watching them.

    1933

    On Dec. 5, the nation repeals Prohibition.

  • Black and white photo of six men dressed in suits, standing and talking inside a building, with a train visible behind them.

    1934

    With strong support from Pendergast, Jackson County Presiding Judge Harry S. Truman wins a seat in the U.S. Senate.

  • A newspaper clipping on a wall, with a black and white photograph above it.

    1934

    Election-day disputes among political factions lead to four slayings on March 27.

  • Black and white photograph of men walking on a city sidewalk, dressed in business suits from the early 20th century.

    1934

    Unknown assailants murder Johnny Lazia, the chief of Kansas City’s underworld.

  • A black and white vintage advertisement for malt extract syrup called 'Supreme' from Western Bottle Co., featuring images of two cans and contact details, taped to a textured yellowed wall.

    1934

    Pendergast Goats drove rival Rabbit liquor brands out of business—including Herman Epstein’s Rickenbacker Malt.

  • Black and white collage of vintage buildings and storefronts, including a nightclub, nightclub, bar, and clubs from a historical city street scene.

    1935

    According to KC’s Future newsweekly, “there are more nightclubs in Kansas City per capita than in any other city. Three hundred or more clubs, saloons, hotels, joints, and dives—a numerically impressive collection—gives Kansas City its reputation as a ‘hot, wine open town.’”

  • A man in a suit and glasses is speaking at a podium, gesturing with his hands, with a man in glasses seated behind him. The scene appears to be a black and white historic photograph, possibly of a speech or debate.

    1939

    US Attorney Maurice Milligan forces Pendergast to plead guilty to income-tax evasion. He is sentenced to 15 months in the federal prison at Leavenworth, halting his political machine.

  • Vintage political cartoon depicting people with brooms flying over a city with a building labeled 'Election April 2,' symbolizing political activism or protest.

    1940

    After reformers take over, many residents missed the way Kansas City was. The downtown slot machines were trucked away. The jazz clubs lost their crowds. The cleanly operated city was no longer “Tom’s Town.”

  • Two men enjoying drinks and laughing together at a bar.

    2015

    Inspired by family connections and a love of drinking, Steve Revare and David Epstein found Tom’s Town Distilling Co. Steve’s great uncle was Maurice Milligan, the attorney who sent Pendergast to prison, and David’s grandfather was Herman Epstein, a rival “rabbit” bootlegger to Pendergast.

  • Group of women enjoying cocktails at a dimly lit bar or restaurant, smiling and toasting.

    2016

    Tom’s Town opens to the public and begins distribution across the states of Missouri and Kansas, bringing the party back to Tom’s Town.

  • Close-up of a building with signboards reading "OWEN DISTILLERY" and "Best craft vodka distillery 2017 - USA today"

    2017

    USA Today names Tom’s Town the Best Craft Vodka Distillery in the US. All four Tom’s Town spirits win multiple industry awards.

  • Large black and gold mural on brick building wall with art deco design saying, "The people are thirsty," with additional text "Tom's Town Distilling Co." and location "Kansas City".

    2018

    The People Are Thirsty! Tom’s Town expands distribution in its quest to become an emerging national brand.