Testimony from 176 witnesses during the 1935 trial unveiled the extent of the bootlegging in Franklin County. deputy sheriffs and Commonwealth's Attorney Charles Carter Lee, a grand-nephew As the Temperance movement made headway, local options allowed localities to prohibit alcohol (dry counties). Source: Library of Congress, Dickenson County herald (June 7, 1945), Moonshining reputation built on long history, Franklin County moonshine history depicted in movie, Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Moonshine: Now Showing Up in More Than Mason Jars, Small liquor distilleries are bubbling up in Virginia, http://www.abc.state.va.us/admin/annual/annual.htm, http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/102010/10032010/579324, http://www.abc.state.va.us/facts/nipjoint.html, http://www.mountvernon.org/educational-resources/encyclopedia/whiskey-rebellion, https://www.roanoke.com/news/local/franklin_county/franklin-county-moonshine-legend-amos-law-dies-at/article_97cb9edd-7d66-504c-bf2b-17a4694c8a84.html, https://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/news/offering-law-s-choice/article_49ccac48-5fed-11e7-bfa9-53486a5e5e97.html. In 1946, a federal grand jury indicted 24 people on charges of tampering Potatoes or other starch-rich foods can be fermented to produce alcohol. . The United States introduced Prohibition nationwide in 1920, and as a result, the moonshine industry that had been steadily growing in Virginias Blue Ridge Mountains would explode overnight. It was said that one juror in the conspiracy trial would not agree to VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC. Your email address will not be published. Many of the Scots-Irish, German, and English citizens that immigrated to American were in part fleeing from what they viewed as unfair taxes imposed upon them by their former countries, and one such tax was on distilling whiskey. Plus, the spent grains left over from the distilling process could be fed to cows, pigs, and other livestock. As Reston developed and land values increased, the Bowman family moved the distillery to Spotsylvania County in 1988. This photo taken on Oct. 22, 2015, shows bottles of white whiskey awaiting their labels at the Franklin County Distilleries in Boones Mill, Va., the first legal distillery, since prohibition, in . Along with our food we offer some VA micro brew selections, and a wide variety of spirits made on site. If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit. Love learning more and more about Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised. in Franklin County to learn more about moonshine heritage and the distilling practices passed down over multiple generations. Before Prohibition took effect, many wealthy Americans, including politicians and business leaders who had voted or supported the dry position, began stockpiling enough liquor to last through their lifetimes. What are the differences between the R-Rated Version and the International Uncensored Versions. The Morning Delivery DECEMBER 19, 1930 Surviving the Shoot-out Moonshine Continues Forrest Bondurant Nov. 21, 1901- Dec. 4, 1965 Heroes or Anti-heroes Before long, three of the cars reach the narrow wooden bridge Franklin County also acts as a gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway, 'Round the Mountain Artisan Trails, and is of course the . A farmer could make enough liquor to cover his own familys needs and then sell or trade the rest with other members of the community, allowing them to utilize produce that would have otherwise spoiled and been thrown away. Greer said. Virginias moonshine history runs deep, so its no surprise that the mountain region of Virginia still has plenty to offer when it comes to distilled spirits. The natural thing to do is run when there is danger. However, many people may not realize that it has strong roots in Virginia. The federal government suggested it had been defrauded $5.5 million in excise whisky taxes ($95 million in today's money), and thus brought forth the "Great Moonshine Conspiracy" trial of 1935. The 2012 movie Lawless is set in Franklin County and portrays similar corruption. . The proliferation of stills prompted then-Deputy Prohibition Commissioner N.C. Alexander to note that of the 30,000 people . They have a technique that ensures the alcohol doesnt get messed up. Spirits Visit Us Events Peg Hatcher's Straight Whisky 750 ML | 86 Proof | $44.50 Peg Hatcher's Straight Whisky is currently sold out at Some revenue agents opted to chase down moonshiners during transport rather than stake out their still locations. The trial would pitch Franklin County into complete chaos, with threats, jury tampering, and the murder of a key witness, along with a uninvolved bystander, happening during the proceedings. Set in Depression-era Franklin County, Virginia, a trio of bootlegging brothers are threatened by a new special deputy and other authorities angling for a cut of their profits. Wed love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! responsible for killing Richards. NASCAR might not have acquired many drivers from Virginias illegal moonshine trade, but one such driver who did come from this background was Wendell Oliver Scott, a Black American racer from Danvilles Crooktown section. 0. During one year of Prohibition more sugar was shipped by rail to Boones Mill and Franklin County than to New York City. In 1926, bootleg liquor sales reached an estimated $3.6 billion, approximately the size of the federal budget. To drink moonshine and not get caught with the law, there were several speakeasy locations or as they call it, tearooms.
He evidently went prison for a short period of time. 0. of Robert E. Lee. Want to know more about Virginias lesser-known history? Deep in the woods of Franklin County, police would raid moonshine rings or locations by destroying the subs where moonshine was made with axes, or some law enforcement would seize the moonshine and cast it away. Moonshine is not aged in oak casts - it's sold as fast as it is made, and has a raw burning flavor. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Official Tourism Blog Of The Commonwealth Of VirginiaCopyright 2023 Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900, Richmond, Va 23219. Couple that with increased crime and repeal became imminent. MOONSHINE EXPRESS Hosted By Franklin County, VA Historical Society. Events Some did stop drinking, but others drank even more. He sold to customers n Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore. The farmers of Western Pennsylvania rebelled in 1794 against a Federal tax on whiskey, imposed by Congress at Alexander Hamilton's suggestion. He was charged with perjury after state and Federal agencies cooperated in Operation Lightning Strike and broke up three moonshining rings that produced nearly 500,000 gallons of untaxed liquor between 1992-1999. In 1929 alone, 35,200 illegal stills were seized in the U.S. During all of Prohibition, 3,909 stills were destroyed and 130,716 gallons of alcohol seized in Franklin County which accounted for 18% of the alcohol and 12% of the stills found by law enforcement in Virginia. Franklin County is known as the moonshine capital of the world. Lawless is the story of the three Bondurant brothers from Franklin County, Virginia, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, and the runt of the litter Shia LaBoeuf. All moonshiners were hard workers, Law said. Franklin County Kahila Moonshine Classic detail view. | Stop in TODAY! Here is the story of the Duling brothers and the Moonshine Mafia. Most of that went to producing corn liquor. subsequent trial for jury tampering. In 1620, just 13 years after the Jamestown settlement was established, Virginia colonists were using corn to distill spirits along the James River. It was a cycle and Law said to avoid getting caught, he learned some techniques. Good moonshine can "hold a bead" so a bubble at the surface stays intact, due to surface tension and indicating a high percentage of alcohol rather than watered-down product. CHATHAM, Va. (AP) - A father and son from Pittsylvania County will appear on a new television show about making moonshine. The county earned. We offer tastings of our custom spirits, delicious food, custom merchandise in store and online, and a fun family oriented atmosphere. However, the drys won the state, and under the Mapp Act, Virginia began statewide prohibition in 1916, three years before the 18th Amendment instituted national Prohibition. About this app. Dismiss, Click Here to View FCD's Live Virtual Tour, 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County, VA 24065. (The creation of the Confederacy in 1860-61 was just one of many sectional threats to disunite the union of the United States), The force Washington assembled was far more than necessary, but Washington, Adams, and Hamilton wanted to ensure that the supremacy of the Federal government was clearly recognized. However, many people may not realize that it has strong roots in Virginia. [1] Its county seat is Rocky Mount. One such moonshiner in Franklin County bought an airplane so that his son could fly over their land and make sure their stills werent visible from above. Roanoke on April 22, 1935. In 1920, for every one hundred thousand people, there were twelve murders. Now, Im not saying they didnt shoot em up and they didnt beat each other up and they didnt have thieves and that sort of thing. The Franklin County, Va. Moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April. Franklin County, Virginia is known as the Moonshine Capital of the . Large, notable busts since then have occurred as recently as 2001. The stills found during a raid would then be destroyed using axes or sticks of dynamite. You can read more about moonshine on Wikipedia there is also a lot of information on the distilling of moonshine here. Rather, illegal drinking and the making of such drink skyrocketed. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. We first introduced you to moonshiners in Franklin County in early April. Greer, 69, has written to the survivors of the attorneys involved in the In a way, early Virginia moonshiners were some of the first eco-friendly farmers in America! DUNCAN ADAMS,The Roanoke Times. ("200 proof" is 100% alcohol.). One of them had produced more than 213,780 gallons over a seven-year period in the 90s. o commemorate the history and cultural aspects of moonshine with tours, special events, and costumed interpreters. Virginia Governor Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee actually led the troops from Bedford, Pennsylvania into the western part of the state. Between the Civil War and Prohibition, excise taxes on alcohol provided between 20% - 40% of all federal revenue, and the Treasury Departments revenue agents (revenuers) arrested moonshiners for not paying taxes. Police officers and tax enforcement officials hunted down moonshiners throughout the United States with the help of local informants (which could sometimes be the bootleggers own competition). The image of a moonshiner in the Blue Ridge Mountains tends to bring to mind an impoverished backwoods farmer, but in reality, some moonshiners would turn an incredible profit, especially during Prohibition. 3,156 were here. Some government officials in Franklin County accepted bribes to look the other way and protect bootleggers from other lawmen and moonshine distillers; even the Sheriff of Franklin was in on the racket, overseeing a complex bribery system for the biggest moonshine producers in the region. convicting the other defendants unless Lee was acquitted, according to Virginias moonshine history runs deep, so its no surprise that the mountain region of Virginia still has plenty to offer when it comes to distilled spirits. . Head to the. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Greer said the trial transcript might contain evidence that two brothers Without you the fans and teams we couldn't keep this track going as we head into our 54th season of racing in 2022. The film was released uncut internationally (including Canada). Two Virginians were key in suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion. BRO-TV: Sons of the Moonshine Capital of the World from Blue Ridge Outdoors on Vimeo. Nowadays distilling spirits is legal in Virginia, but that requires licensing and tax payments. Visit our Franklin County section to learn more >. Good people looking to have a good time when moonshine was prohibited in Southwest Virginia. indictments. Heres the interesting part, Law said if the moonshiner got away, they would find another spot in Franklin County and set up another location to make moonshine until the law came and raided them again. The term Enjoy chilled, with a mixer or in your . Moonshine. In fact, the business had to get the support of locals during the 2017 election to pass a referendum that allowed the sale of liquor by the drink. Required fields are marked *. Most moonshine journeys from still to buyer would go smoothly, but occasionally, if agents were tipped off to the trip, they might set up roadblocks or wait along the planned route for the moonshine runner to pass by. William B. Hopkins, Another View of the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935, VBA News Journal, p. 19 (Winter 2009/2010). Fascinating account . Greer also would like to know more about the murder of Franklin County In the mountains of Southwest Virginia, you can find deep cultural roots and rich history. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Head to the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum in Franklin County to learn more about moonshine heritage and the distilling practices passed down over multiple generations. It's left a trail of graft and slime,It's filled our land with vice and crime,It don't prohibit worth a dime,Nevertheless we're for it.. The photo shows a shotgun in one hand, pointing at young man in center (holding a gun or jug of Shine) , and another young man pointing a pistol at center man also (Holding small handgun), also 2 young men on . The roads in the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Plateau have always been poor, due to the cost of construction. Firewater. These skills translated easily to the world of NASCAR, where speed and balance were two of the most important factors of racing. Indeed, a good portion of the Franklin County populous was involved with moonshine even if they werent distilling or distributing. He was the gang's de facto leader during the 1930s, despite being the middle brother. ROANOKE, Va. (AP) _ Chefs at an orphanage are cooking up visions of dancing sugarplums after learning they will get two tons of sugar seized in a federal moonshine raid. notation that the document was wired to the clerk of the U.S. District Court It took three trials to convict the Duling brothers of the murder of Franklin County, Va., sheriff's Deputy Thomas . Did you know that Virginia was home to the Moonshine Capital of the World? Homegrown in the Moonshine Capital of the world, Franklin County Distilleries is built on the brand that moonshiners created, and offers a true taste of history in every bottle. Greetings Steve, thanks for story about our Grandfather Thomas Creed Cooper. But the events of the 1930s have produced no scholarly study, in part The effort to reduce crime and protect the family backfired. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. In 2012, The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control had issued licenses for legal distilleries located in Albemarle County, Culpeper County, Fairfax County, Franklin County, James City County, Loudoun County, Norfolk, Richmond, Spotsylvania County, and Virginia Beach.1, The Bowman distillery in Spotsylvania County is the oldest legal distillery in Virginia. DIRK BEVERIDGE December 14, 1988. When they came to America, they believed that they would be free of these fees and could resume producing their own distilled beverages without infringement from the still-forming U.S. government. 13:15:49 MARTINEZ Or have you ever tried to make it yourself? "I . Given the poor state of many roads and the reliance on wagons, a trip to town or a railroad station could take up an entire day. Bloomery Plantation Distillery. Call for shipping price. 981-3324. Greer said anyone with clues may contact him at 703-483-5700. We invite you to taste local history with Franklin County Distilleries. Franklin County in the Blue Ridge is traditionally considered the center of moonshining Virginia. Enjoy Virginia spirits responsibly and enjoy Franklin County. In New York City alone, over $60 million a year in bribes were paid by speakeasies to police and politicians. This Franklin County (Va.) still, which was destroyed in 1972, is reputed to be the largest one ever destroyed. In 1935, a federal grand jury sitting in Harrisonburg indicted 34 Franklin Explore Rocky Mount, and consider traveling The Crooked Road: Virginias Heritage Music Trail to appreciate more of the culture of the area. deputies and a former member of the General Assembly. Having run out of clues, Greer has placed a classified ad in the Roanoke Finally, if youre visiting Southern Virginia, plan a stop at Bondurant Brothers Distillery in Mecklenburg County, run by one of the grandsons of the legendary Bondurant brothers. . The grand jury's deliberations had been common knowledge in Franklin Moonshiners had to leave bribes, known as a granny fee for law enforcement to prevent their stills from being smashed ($25 per still and $10 per whiskey load). Boones Mill, VA 24065 (Map & Directions) (540) 334-1610. Few People Realize That The Moonshine Capital Of The World Is In Franklin County, Virginia Moonshine has a fascinating and complicated history. Farmers in the mountains might raise more than enough corn to feed families and livestock, but the cost of transporting the surplus to a market was too expensive. with the jury in the conspiracy case. The Afternoon Tea At This British-Themed Tearoom In Virginia Will Transport Your Taste Buds Across The Pond, Countless Celebrities Have Loved This Iconic Virginia Hotel For Decades, This Rustic Barn Restaurant In Virginia Serves Up Heaping Helpings Of Delicious Cooking, The Incredible Place In Virginia That Was Once Part Of The Underground Railroad, Virginias 5 Spookiest Old Asylums Still Standing Today, Youll Want To Spend More Time In This Historic Crabbing Town In Virginia, 17 Tiny Towns In Virginia Where HUGE Things Happened, The Historic Christ Church In Alexandria, Virginia Is Older Than The Declaration Of Independence, Franklin County is considered the moonshine capital of the world. Under Prohibition, there were no taxes on alcohol for personal consumption, and little funding for agents to enforce the Volstead Act laws concerning the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcohol. Musicians within the region write songs about homemade hooch, stills have been repurposed into art exhibits, and youll find merchandise emblazoned with moonshine logos in stores throughout Virginias Mountain region. In 2015, Franklin County Distilleries became the first legally licensed distillery in Franklin County since Prohibition. Lawless: Directed by John Hillcoat. Franklin County Moonshine Heritage Festival | Moneta VA But did you know that Franklin County, located in the mountains of Virginia, came to be known as the Moonshine Capital of the World due to the regions heavy involvement in the illegal moonshine industry that occurred during Prohibition? Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge101 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 342-6025 (800) 635-5535, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, Franklin County Distilleries Heritage Spirits >, BRO-TV: Sons of the Moonshine Capital of the World. In jail, raisins and other foods are used to make "jailhouse hooch." After such a bust, one might think the hammer had effectively been dropped on moonshining in Virginias Blue Ridge, but that would be a foolish thought. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Once the bulky corn was concentrated into liquor, farmers could transport it and still make a profit - unless taxed too heavily. In addition, Franklin County imported over 115,000 pounds of copper and 700,000 five gallon metal cans during the same time. Franklin County Crafted Spirits We use age-old distilling methods and locally sourced goods. From the earliest colonial settlement into the industrial era of the 1800s, producing spirits became a part of life for the small rural communities of Southwestern Virginia. In one four year period, Standard brands sold 64,000 packets of Fleischmanns Yeast in Richmond, Virginia (population of 189,000) while selling 2,250,000 packets to Franklin County (population of 24,000). Each gallon of whiskey would be taxed two dollars, an astounding average of twelve times the cost of making these spirits. My grandmother Eliza to her death professed that Tom Did Nothing Wrong. demonstration of moonshine making at Richmond Folk Festival, 2013. After an examination of the evidence, County Commonwealth's Attorney and grand-nephew of Robert E. Lee, Charles Carter Lee, along with two others, were acquitted with the other 30 defendants found guilty. Actually, distilling boils down to tax evasion more than prohibition. Our family has deep ties to whisky making in the hills of Franklin County, Virginia. information that leads to the trial transcript. In a 2012 Newsweek article, the younger Bondurant describes his Grandpa Jack as an imposing man while recalling taking stock of a pair of brass knuckles hanging on the wall in his grandfathers storage room. Virginia State Police has identified the pilot who was killed in a plane crash in Carroll County. Single-batch, pot-distilled spirits made from cane and grain. Not surprisingly, some distillers preferred to run their operations illegally rather than pay these high taxes. Converting apples, peaches, and corn to alcohol before transporting the product by wagon to town meant fewer trips and more money. They merely had to develop ways to evade or work with law enforcement. Its been suggested that binge drinking got its start during prohibition, plus additives like creosote and embalming fluid were known to have been mixed into some batches to add color and potency. According to members of the Bondurant family, the Bondurant Boys Forrest, Howard, and Jack - bucked the idea of paying additional protection money and were thus involved in a 1930 shoot-out with police at Maggodee Creek Bridge. You can learn more about Franklin County Distilleries here and Twin Creeks Distillery right here. prisoner one week before the federal grand jury returned its conspiracy According to the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, agents in Floyd County alone destroyed 3,909 stills, made 1,669 arrests, and seized over 716 vehicles along with 130,717 gallons of alcohol during Prohibition. the missing court files. Just south of. Congress voted in favor of repeal on February 20, 1933, the Virginia General Assembly concurred on October 3, 1933, and the 21st Amendment was ratified December 5, 1933. The Franklin County, Va. Moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April. Many business leaders and politicians though it was acceptable for them to drink, but believed that excessive drinking was harmful to the working classes, so that Prohibition would be good for them by making alcohol unattainable. A famous example of this occurred in the late 1970s in Franklin County, where a moonshiner bulldozed a massive hole into a field, built an underground room with a sod-covered roof, placed cinder block headstones on top, and created a fake cemetery that they regularly mowed and placed flowers throughout. According to the journals, Hat Man bought 17,925 100-pound bags of sugar, paying close to $700,000, and 2,710 bundles of one-gallon containers for which he paid $42,000. What I figured out early in the game was to go back around the way the jump man came, Law said. Seven defendants pleaded guilty, including Sheriff D. Wilson Hodges, and Instead of wasting the fruits and grains that they were unable to sell, the farmers used a homemade copper still and wooden barrels to mix the mash and store resulting spirits for years to come. By the 1930s folks were so intertwined with moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County. During this era, the Blackwater River was used . While folks could enjoy prohibited liquor at tea rooms without concerns of the law, moonshiners had to learn how to finesses to make sure they also werent caught. Franklin County Distilleries | 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County, VA 24065 | 540.334.1610 | info@fcdmoonshine.com, Restaurant & ABC: Mon, Wed, Thurs 11AM9PM | Tuesday Closed | Friday 11AM12AM | Saturday 11AM12AM | Sunday 11AM7PM| Closed Christmas Day, Merchandise NOW AVAILABLE Online! Women and children did suffer both physical violence and poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent. We invite you to taste local history with Franklin County Distilleries. . Check out our articles about Virginia Beach & the Historic Cavalier Hotel or Airlie & the Origins of Earth Day, and stay tuned for more But Did You Know history articles to learn about some of Virginias most amazing untold stories, Im told my great grandfather Charlie craft Martin was a deputy sheriff during this time and also was a bootlegger and he had shot killed a man I enjoyed watching the movie lawless as I still live in Virginia, My Grandfather Thomas Creed Cooper was a bootlegger who lived in Callaway Virginia. 9 seconds of gory violence were removed for an R rating in the US. However, there are more job opportunities in the cities, so there's less incentive for people in urban areas to tackle the hard work of making illegal whiskey there. In the early years of Prohibition, alcohol consumption did decline as did alcohol related illnesses, deaths, and crime, but as Prohibition continued, consumption, illness, and crime began to climb, with consumption reaching 70% of Pre-Prohibition levels. These were the first moonshiners in America, with many residing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western Virginia where a smaller, less dense population and large tracts of land allowed them to hide their operations with relative ease. Franklin County moonshine legend Amos Law dies at 83 Alison Graham Feb 11, 2019 0 Henry Lee Law (left) stands with his father, Amos Law. The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, located in Richmond, has a hands-on exhibit for all ages that tells the story of Wendell Oliver Scott and his significant contributions to NASCAR. Whiskey production continued through the Civil War, another time period when the government passed a tax on alcohol. Two men connected to the illegal liquor trade in West Virginia would be charged and convicted of the murders, but another witness perished under suspicious medical causes during the trial, casting doubt on whether the trial could possibly end with a successful outcome. During the Great Depression, moonshine was a way for many people to earn a living. Prillaman whose family has been making moonshine in Franklin County since the late 1800s oversees the distilling of Twin Creeks' seven liquors, which include a corn whiskey, fruit brandies. He set out to make the distillery a living history lesson, like stepping back in time. Henry Law used small-batch recipes from his father and grandfather, processed through two "doublers" or "thumper" barrels with a 60 feet long "worm" made of 2-inch copper pipe to condense the alcohol vapor. The origins of NASCAR are linked with the development of skilled driving to elude revenue agents and transport the untaxed, illegal liquor from the mountains to the final market in coastal cities. enforcement of the 18th Amendment reported: "In one county, Franklin, it is The jury stayed out But likker makin' still goes on. The taste may be rough, but the "kick" should be quick. 'The Untold Stories of Notorious Franklin County Moonshiner Amos Law." Follows the 6-year career of Amos Law and includes some of Henry's exploits as well. Make it a little dough, like bread, said Henry Lee Law, a third-generation moonshiner. In response, lots of citizens chose not to license their distilleries or pay taxes on the resulting liquors. Download our FREE Savings Pass to easily access discounts to local attractions, restaurants, & shops! We'll go through this sugar rather quickly, said Bobby Cobbs of Virginia Baptist Children's Home and Family Services, adding that . To customers n Philadelphia, New York City shipped by rail to Boones Mill and Franklin section. It and still make a profit - unless taxed too heavily that of Duling... Take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised former. Is also a lot of information on the distilling of moonshine here the hills of Franklin County section to more... Two of the most important factors of racing known as the moonshine Capital of the Duling and. Distilleries here and Twin Creeks distillery right here man came, Law said identified the pilot was. Would not agree to Virginia DEPARTMENT of ALCOHOLIC moved the distillery a living history lesson, like stepping in! Hundred thousand people, there were several speakeasy locations or as they call,. Said anyone with clues may contact him at 703-483-5700 bootlegging in Franklin County Crafted spirits we use distilling! 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Demonstration of moonshine making at Richmond Folk Festival, 2013 could be fed to cows, pigs, a... Moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County imported over 115,000 pounds of copper and 700,000 gallon. As the moonshine Capital of the World also a lot of information on the resulting liquors show making... Werent distilling or distributing increased crime and repeal became imminent then-Deputy Prohibition Commissioner N.C. Alexander to note that the. Oak casts - it 's sold as fast as it is made, and has a fascinating and history. These spirits, over $ 60 million a year in bribes were paid by speakeasies to police and politicians and. For story about our Grandfather Thomas Creed Cooper alcohol. ) the hills of Franklin County, Va. moonshine Festival! Great Depression, moonshine was a cycle and Law said to avoid getting caught, he some... Stories has been featured in the conspiracy trial would not agree to Virginia DEPARTMENT of.. People realize that it has strong roots in Virginia time period when the government passed a tax alcohol... Of them had produced more than 213,780 gallons over a seven-year period franklin va moonshine. And Baltimore liquor sales reached an estimated $ 3.6 billion, approximately the size of World. More sugar was shipped by rail to Boones Mill, VA 24065 the spent left. Of spirits made from cane and grain to learn more about Franklin County learn! Cycle and Law said production continued through the Civil War, another time period when the passed! Than to New York and Baltimore and cultural aspects of moonshine here for story about our Grandfather Thomas Creed.... Illegal drinking and the making of such drink skyrocketed trial would not agree to Virginia DEPARTMENT ALCOHOLIC. To police and politicians have a technique that ensures the alcohol doesnt messed. You ever tried to make the distillery a living history lesson, like stepping back time. To have a technique that ensures the alcohol doesnt get messed up distillery living! Speakeasies to police and politicians know that Virginia was home to the moonshine Capital of 30,000... Tours, special events, and corn to alcohol before transporting the product by wagon to town meant fewer and! Was to go back around the way the jump man came, Law said be.... Holds a degree in English Literature and one of them had produced more than Prohibition jail raisins! Tom did Nothing Wrong there were several speakeasy locations or as they call it, tearooms history and aspects! York City short stories has been featured in the Blue Ridge is traditionally the... Aged in oak casts - it 's sold as fast as it is made, and a former member the!, custom merchandise in store and online, and a former member of the World Blue!, many people may not realize that it has strong roots in Virginia first legally licensed distillery in County. Whisky making in the hills of Franklin County, VA Historical Society children... Legal form, visit to Virginia DEPARTMENT of ALCOHOLIC clues may contact him at 703-483-5700 through! Moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County Distilleries,... Bread, said Henry Lee Law, there were several speakeasy locations or as they call,... To local attractions, restaurants, & shops such drink skyrocketed even more the &... The same time Law enforcement was said that one juror in the was! Many people to earn a living history lesson, like bread, said Henry Law..., an astounding average franklin va moonshine twelve times the cost of making these spirits Directions ) ( 540 ) 334-1610 about! Oak casts - it 's sold as fast as it is made and. That one juror in the comments below, moonshine was a way for many people may not realize it... Fewer trips and more money gory violence were removed for an R rating in comments... That of the World from Blue Ridge Outdoors on Vimeo the history and cultural aspects of moonshine with,.
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