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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 large mustache, wearing a suit and bowtie, looking to the right.

    1889

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

  • Cartoon drawing of a man in a suit holding a list, standing next to a large basket labeled "Wholesale Liquors" filled with liquor bottles.

    1911

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

  • A historical black-and-white photo showing a man in uniform opening a large metal container with a group of uniformed police officers observing.

    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.

  • A book titled "Tom's Town: Kansas City and the Pendergast Legend" by William M. Reddig, featuring a black-and-white portrait of a man on the cover, is placed on a dark, textured surface.

    1921

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

  • Black and white vintage photograph of people shopping in a store with shelves of clothing and shoes.

    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 dark suit and tie, facing the camera with a serious expression.

    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 in a suit and tie, wearing a hat, with a slight vignette effect.

    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 photo of two men sitting in an early 20th-century automobile, parked on a city street in front of a storefront with an awning. A woman and another person are visible in the background.

    1932

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

  • Black and white photo of a jazz band performing on stage with two women sitting at a table in the foreground.

    1933

    On Dec. 5, the nation repeals Prohibition.

  • A vintage black-and-white photo showing a group of men in suits and hats engaged in conversation at an indoor event.

    1934

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

  • Historical newspaper clipping on a textured wall, with black-and-white photo of people at the top and small text at the bottom.

    1934

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

  • Black and white photo of men walking on a city sidewalk in business attire, wearing hats, near a building and a fire hydrant.

    1934

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

  • Old paper with a vintage advertisement for malt extract SUPREME by the Western Bottle Co. taped to the wall.

    1934

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

  • Collection of black and white photos of vintage buildings and storefronts in an urban setting.

    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 black and white image of a man in a suit speaking at a podium, gesturing with his right hand, with a person sitting behind him and a curtain in the background.

    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.

  • Political cartoon showing two groups of people with brooms attacking a tall building labeled 'Election April 2'. The groups are depicted as larger figures flying with brooms, suggesting a chaotic or humorous scene about an election.

    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 sitting at a bar, each holding a glass of whiskey, smiling and laughing together. The bar has a dark wood counter and shelves filled with bottles of alcohol behind them, with warm lighting.

    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 bar or restaurant, smiling and chatting.

    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 a sign that reads "O W N D" and a banner advertising craft vodka distillery.

    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.

  • A large black sign with gold text and decorative lines that reads 'The People Are Thirsty,' located on an exterior brick wall of Tom's Town Distilling Co. in Kansas City, with faint sunlight illuminating the sign.

    2018

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