Kettleby had the largest membership in the Sons of Temperance society in Upper Canada, with over 200 members, and was "one of the strongholds of the temperance movement in the mid-19th century". Temperance Hall, a gathering place of the Sons of Temperance, was built in 1850. It was transported to Black Creek Pioneer Village in order to preserve it. The hamlet's first distillery preceded the movement by nearly a decade, having been erected in 1843, and numerous establishments throughout King were licensed to serve alcohol, including two hotels in Kettleby.