A significant chapter in Westerville’s history revolves around the Whiskey Wars that transpired from 1875 to 1879. This conflict arose when Henry Corbin opened a saloon in a town that prided itself on being dry. The local population was staunchly against saloons, associating them with crime and moral decay. People resorted to protests, resorting to acts of vandalism, including throwing rocks and even blowing up Corbin’s saloon.

Despite attempts to restore the saloon, the community’s resistance culminated in its destruction, marking the end of the Whiskey Wars. As Westerville gained notoriety for its anti-alcohol sentiment, it became a central player in the Anti-Saloon League and the Prohibition movement, maintaining a dry status until 2006.

Today, the landscape of Westerville has transformed dramatically. Following the repeal of Prohibition and the legalization of alcohol sales, the once-quiet town evolved into a vibrant dining and entertainment destination. The Anti-Saloon League’s former headquarters now houses a museum that chronicles its influential history.

With the opening of breweries like Temperance Row Brewing Company in 2014 and High Bank Distillery, which features a speakeasy as a nod to the past, Westerville has embraced its transformation fully. The distillery even produces a flagship whiskey called Whiskey War, celebrating the town’s tumultuous history.

Local establishments are now thriving, with alcohol sales significantly boosting the economy, contrasting starkly with the town’s earlier identity as the "Dry Capital of the World." The resurgence of bars and breweries has revitalized the community, bringing new life and income opportunities, shaping Westerville into a modern hub of culture and entertainment.