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Our fifth JCHS Memory Lane Show & Tell was held on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Yours truly was there, and during our fifteen-minute presentation, we told the story of…
Frank E. McInnerny & His Iowa First Capitol Whiskey.
“I found this in my father’s items. I think it’s an etched glass, shot sized, and very old. Could it be a picture of Butler’s Capitol? And F.M.C.I. confuses me. Your thoughts would be appreciated.“
BTW, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the term ‘Butler’s Capitol’, here’s a quick synopsis. In 1841 – when Iowa Citians heard about a threat to their city’s future (i.e. if a free meeting space didn’t open up for the Iowa Territorial Legislature by the fall of 1841, the city might lose its ‘capital city status!), one brave & very generous pioneer – Walter Butler – came up with the land (on Clinton Street) and enough funding & labor to quickly construct a large meeting hall that could serve as a temporary home for the Iowa Territorial Legislature. So, on December 6, 1841, Iowa City hosted its first Territorial Legislative Session in what was affectionately called Butler’s Capitol! You can read the full story here.
Now, back to the shot glass – Iowa First Capitol 1841. So what’s F.M.c.I.?
The answer – Frank E. McInnerny (pronounced ‘ma-kin-ner-knee’) born in Iowa City in October 4, 1861, the third of eight children born to the Irish immigrants: Michael & Mary Ann McInnerny. Father Michael – born in Ireland – moved to Iowa City in 1854 – became a very successful businessman – mercantile store on Washington Street.
McInnerny’s – SW Corner – Dubuque & College Streets – 1884-1916
His son, Frank – ran McInnerny’s Saloon (also called a Buffet) from around 1884 to 1916 on the SW Corner of College & Dubuque. Where the Strand Theatre was. McInnerney’s was one of eight very successful taverns in downtown Iowa City – with the longest bar west of Chicago. Belly up to the bar was the only way to serve liquor – no tables & chairs.
1884 to 1916 was a golden age of liquor in Iowa City. The 1884 Beer Riots ended in Iowa City a crack down of State Prohibition, from 1884-1916, each city could determine how much “prohibition” they wanted to enforce. Iowa City – no limits.
In 1896 Frank opened McInnerny’s Great Wine & Liquor House at 129 S. Clinton (today’s Old Capitol Mall). As a wholesaler, he supplied wines, beers, whiskeys & more to many across the city. His daughter tells us that they had an unmarked buggy – making deliveries around town. Highly respected businessmen wouldn’t want to be seen at McInnerny’s bar, but would request deliveries with the instructions: “use back door” and “please deliver after dark”.
So the entreprener Frank McInnerny had two special recipes – a BEER made for him by Iowa City’s Graf’s Brewery – he called SPECIAL BREW, and a whiskey – he called IOWA FIRST CAPITOL WHISKEY. (Butler’s Hall was just across Dubuque Street from his bar from 1884 to around 1900 – In remembrance of the old gal that burned down.
129 S. Dubuque (129 E. College) – 129 S. Clinton St. – 108 E. College
McInnerny’s ads are humorous – family-oriented (1900-1916)…
1916 it all ended. Seven states – including Iowa – instituted PROHIBITION (4 years before US in 1920). Frank was forced to close his two businesses – moved for a short time to Quincy, Ill until prohibition hit there in 1920. He came back, ran successful restaurant & hotel business until his death in 1930.
We’ll see you at the next JCHS Memory Lane Show & Tell!
