Image Courtesy of The Library of Virginia, But the Revolutionary War was at hand and the country needed money to pay for the care and supplies for American troops, so the government imposed a tax on alcohol. A "white liquor" distiller in Wilkesboro was arrested in October 2009 and 929 gallons of moonshine was confiscated. who were convicted of the murder, Paul and Hubbard Duling, were not 4, p. 1075 Moonshine is the general term that has been used to describe "illegal liquor," mainly corn liquor. 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. . Indeed, a good portion of the Franklin County populous was involved with moonshine even if they werent distilling or distributing. newspaper accounts. notation that the document was wired to the clerk of the U.S. District Court Photographed above, Franklin County Distilleries is most famous for its white corn whiskey. Indeed, the new law led to health concerns. But if you wanted something a little bit stronger, you winked at the waitress and you went in the back, Stanley said. Alcohol went untaxed for the next 45 years, but in the midst of the Civil War, Congress again passed a whiskey tax. It was during that time (1861-1865) that the liquor tax reached $2 per gallon, up to 12 times the actual cost of making a gallon of liquor., It seems the taxes were reduced at some point or more folks were willing to ply their trade legally, as by the 1880s dozens of Blue Ridge distillers were operating under state licensesIn 1893-94 Franklin County alone had 77 legal distilleries.. Henry Law was a third-generation distiller, but the first to produce legal and taxed liquor. Franklin County Distilleries is a full service restaurant and distillery. deputies and a former member of the General Assembly. Franklin County went from 77 legal distilleries in 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one in 1911 and none in 1917. Greetings Steve, thanks for story about our Grandfather Thomas Creed Cooper. Most of that went to producing corn liquor. In 2015, Franklin County Distilleries became the first legally licensed distillery in Franklin County since Prohibition. During Prohibitionfrom 1920 to 1933 nationwide, but starting in 1916 in Virginiawhen sale of all liquor was illegal, bootleggers flourished. The prosecution summoned 176 witnesses, most of which (if not all) were convicted criminals, versus the defense's 69, taking roughly 10 weeks for the entirety of the testimonies to be heard. Looking to sample moonshine in other parts of Virginia? In a way, early Virginia moonshiners were some of the first eco-friendly farmers in America! However, the growth of moonshining in Franklin County was astounding. state-run liquor stores in Virginia now sell Laws Choice whiskey - and collect all required taxes seven others chose not to contest the charges, according to newspaper Franklin County - The Moonshine Capital of the World. 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. Their tasting room in Boones Mill is the place to sample their white label corn whiskey. "Moonshiners" will feature Tim Smith and his son J.T., along with friend . Moonshine has a fascinating and complicated history. DUNCAN ADAMS,The Roanoke Times. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. 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. Along with our food we offer some VA micro brew selections, and a wide variety of spirits made on site. 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. James Forrest Bondurant (21 November 1901-4 December 1965) was an American Prohibition -era gangster and one of the three Bondurant brothers of Franklin County, Virginia. Franklin County is located in the Blue Ridge foothills of the Commonwealth of Virginia. 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. Here is the story of the Duling brothers and the Moonshine Mafia. After roughly a year, Bailey was allegedly able to uncover a complex system driven by bribery and extortion, in which distillers would supposedly pay local sheriffs for protection from federal law enforcement agencies. One is covered in shrubs not too far from Rocky Mount, and at a spot in Rocky Mount, theres another that is no longer there. All moonshiners were hard workers, Law said. Franklin County hosts a Moonshine Heritage Month annually and invites the public to learn more about the culture. With the close of the 1800s, Americas stance against alcohol was gaining support. . Forrest Bondurant: It is not the violence that sets men apart, alright, it is the distance that he is prepared to go. Now since the popularity of moonshine is rising, Law wants to make sure people know that moonshiners had to be very smart to build steel subs to make the drink. Franklin County is known as the moonshine capital of the world. Amos Law was one of the most renowned moonshiners in Franklin and Pittsylvania counties. At the time, Franklin County was believed to produce the highest volume of illegal liquor in the U.S., colloquially referred to as "the moonshine capital of the world." We've got Law-theme t-shirts and hats ($18 each). Required fields are marked *. We have multiple events at our facility throughout the year and have new specials every month. 4 talking about this. By the 1930s folks were so intertwined with moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County. MOONSHINE EXPRESS happening at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 225 Middle School Rd,Rocky Mount,VA,United States, Rocky Mount, United States on Sat May 13 2023 at 09:00 am to 03:00 pm Without you the fans and teams we couldn't keep this track going as we head into our 54th season of racing in 2022. in almost every region of the Commonwealth making legal moonshine, allowing you to get an authentic taste of Virginias moonshine history during your visit! Tour of Franklin County, VA Franklin County in Virginia's Blue Ridge. It was a way of life. 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. Duke Carter returned to 10 News in January 2022. Thanks again Steve. A children's menu is also available. The first time I got ran, the officer came around and grabbed me by the neck and grabbed my partner around the neck, both of us at the same time. . 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). Thank you for putting this information together. But the events of the 1930s have produced no scholarly study, in part Thank You for a Successful 2021 season! Matches start at 10 a.m. and are refereed by Virginia. Whiskey sold for $1.75 - $2.50 a gallon. These rogue distillers would operate as illegal moonshiners, competing with the 77 legal distilleries that would open in Franklin County by 1894. Firewater. 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.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.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. Although there were some very honest law enforcement agents in Franklin County, others were less honest and certainly not very stupid, so it is not surprising that many moonshine stills were left alone by local deputies who received small bribes. The Franklin County Moonshine Conspiracy emerged during Prohibition, when 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. 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. conspiracy trial, scoured court records and searched state archives. 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. Their tasting room in downtown Rocky Mount is a great spot to visit for a cocktail before catching a concert at the nearby Harvester Performance Center. Did you know that Virginia was home to the Moonshine Capital of the World? View Menu. And so? What I figured out early in the game was to go back around the way the jump man came, Law said. Another moonshine distillery in the area is. [2] Franklin County is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located in the Roanoke Region of Virginia. Instead, moonshiners would adapt their distilling techniques to avoid capture, running thin pieces of thread across pathways to detect if their sites had been visited without them knowing or building underground stills that werent easily discovered. Franklin County hosts an annual Moonshine Heritage Month to commemorate the history and cultural aspects of moonshine with tours, special events, and costumed interpreters. Plus, the spent grains left over from the distilling process could be fed to cows, pigs, and other livestock. Just south of Roanoke on Virginia highway 220. The distillery is in the small town of Boones Mill, famous for being home to the Bondurant brothers store during Prohibition, where the bootlegging brothers and their associates would transfer moonshine for national distribution. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Times & World-News offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who can furnish That pattern dates back to the 1700's, and whiskey taxes helped the first president of the United States define the power of the Federal government. Scott began his driving career as a taxi driver, but would also use his skills as a fearless driver and a knowledgeable mechanic to haul illegal whiskey, which would help him become the first and only black driver to win a major-league NASCAR race. Gymnasium. Stanley said theyve located 14 tearooms in Franklin County. The film was released uncut internationally (including Canada). Instead, the connection lay in the local garages, where mechanics used their skills to modify engines to increase speeds and suspensions to ensure better handling on the roads. Red flags brought revenuers to southwest Virginia, and eventually sugar was bought by legitimate businesses like bakeries as a cover for the real operations. Even noted author and heavy drinker Jack London voted for womens suffrage in 1911 because women would vote for Prohibition, which would make him stop drinking. In truth, however, the Governor of Virginia had directed law enforcement to take fines from whiskey makers wherever possible in order to relieve congestion in both the courts and jails in the Commonwealth. The jury found him not guilty, after his lawyer claimed he was confused by the question and that:5. Using the tax rate instituted in 1920, moonshiners in Franklin County would have generated $5.5 million in taxes between 1930-1935 if they had legally sold their products. You could have lost $3,000 to $4,000, but you got away. Those indicted included a former Franklin County Sheriff and multiple deputies, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, a Virginia prohibition officer, and Franklin Countys Commonwealths Attorney. Virginia Economic Development Partnership Visit www.vedp.org. He and his brothers became moonshiners during Prohibition, with Jack serving as their driver and mostly being kept out of the business because of his perceived lack of grit. Food, History, Southern Virginia, Virginia Mountains / May 1, 2020 by Patricia Keppel / 4 Comments. 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. The natural thing to do is run when there is danger. A Virginia distillery located in the Moonshine Capital of the World. DIRK BEVERIDGE December 14, 1988. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains. Across the nation, farmers did not share in the economic prosperity of the early 1920s. convicting the other defendants unless Lee was acquitted, according to They have a technique that ensures the alcohol doesnt get messed up. Skilled bootleg drivers were known to use a bootleg turn, where they would spin the car into a 180-degree skid to shake pursuers. One reason for "moonshining" at night, in moonlight, was to hide the smoke from the eyes of informers and tax agents - but today, propane tanks offer a smoke-free alternative. Visit our Franklin County section to learn more >. He caught my buddy and I got away, and Im like, Wow man, what a rush, Law said. Richmond, VA - Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control special agents wrapped up several months-long investigations into moonshine and narcotics operations in Franklin County last. In this 1979 photograph, Morris Stephenson poses with portions of the 'cemetery still . Illegal moonshine was made in secret stills throughout the United States, but the mountain towns of southern Virginia were thrust into the national spotlight with the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935. He set out to make the distillery a living history lesson, like stepping back in time. Head to the. Naturally the state and Federal governments try to stop illegal production of alcohol, in part to ensure that liquor is safe as well as taxed. Whether youre fascinated by the Prohibition Era or are curious to taste some authentic Virginia-crafted spirits, youll find theres a lot to discover in Franklin County. The cold mash moonshine produced at this distillery is a neutral spirit that makes for a perfectly balanced cocktail. By the 1930s folks were so intertwined with moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County. Before World War I the Bondurants made a good living selling moonshine, but now Prohibition has arrived and there are new problems on the horizon for those in that business. That was November 1, 1916. Franklin County Moonshine Heritage Festival | Moneta VA Ninety-nine out of every 100 residents were believed to play a part in the industry during the 1920s. for their ruthlessness and passion for moonshining in Franklin County Virginia. 3. In response, lots of citizens chose not to license their distilleries or pay taxes on the resulting liquors. Two Virginians were key in suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion. While there were still illegal moonshiners living in the area, there were also 77 registered distilleries in Franklin County by 1894. enforcement of the 18th Amendment reported: "In one county, Franklin, it is 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 Here's a look at the heyday, the doomsday and the make-believe day of moonshine in its "capital" of Franklin County, Va., and beyond. ($$) 4.6 Stars - 13 Votes. In fact, the Temperance Movement that led to Prohibition was supported by a diverse range of progressives and womens rights advocates as well as religious conservatives in part because of the amount of excessive drinking and the resulting violence. It contained 24 "black pot" stills, each containing 800 gallons of product. Operation Lightning Strike struck down two Franklin County stills. . When the working man spends eight hours at work and none in the saloon, he will save up more money and better his economic status . If you're looking to explore an area of Southwest Virginia that is immersed in beauty, history, and moonshine, Franklin County has to be on your list. 1140 Kelly Island Rd, Martinsburg, WV 25405. What's the moonshine capital of the United States? Greer, 69, has written to the survivors of the attorneys involved in the In March 1934, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control was created. County residents, including the commonwealth's attorney, several sheriff's Have new blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail inbox. Whiskey manufactured under "moonshine" rather than by state permission is not taxed, and therefore is dramatically less expensive. MOONSHINE EXPRESS Hosted By Franklin County, VA Historical Society. Franklin County Crafted Spirits We use age-old distilling methods and locally sourced goods. 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. '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. If a moonshiner ran, the agents would chase them down, but most of the time, the men caught red-handed would give up without a fight; violence was a rare result for moonshine raids at the time. 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 . 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. What is the streaming release date of Lawless (2012) in Germany? However, many people may not realize that it has strong roots in Virginia. For Virginia Citizen And Business Services Visit www.virginia.gov. These skills translated easily to the world of NASCAR, where speed and balance were two of the most important factors of racing. By definition, bourbon must be produced from a "mash" that was 51% corn. Franklin County is home to two beautiful lakes, breweries, distilleries, and plenty of quaint downtown areas. To drink moonshine and not get caught with the law, there were several speakeasy locations or as they call it, tearooms. White lightning became the county's top cash crop, rolling down mountain [1], In the 1950s, the court files and official trial transcripts mysteriously disappeared. by Casey L. Higgins, The days of illegal moonshine are long gone. Popular culture has long associated moonshine running with NASCAR auto racing, but in reality, very few moonshine drivers from the Blue Ridge were involved with organized racing. Laws father Amos had moonshine rings that produced 500,000 gallons. 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. Greer, a Rocky Mount lawyer who retired last year after practicing for 42 Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to keep up with all the exciting things in Virginia's Blue Ridge! 1 of 6. Thus in 1928, the Moonshine Conspiracy, which eventually gave Franklin County national notoriety in 1935, was born. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Franklin County, Va. Moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April. Wed love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Otherwise, "white lightning" is a clear fluid with an alcohol content comparable to grain alcohol, often above 100 proof. 8 talking about this. when [he] spends his evening at home or in the library . 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. During Prohibition, prices ranged from $6 to $12 to as much as $25 per gallon. The city of Franklin had its humble beginnings in the 1830s as a railroad stop along the Blackwater River. because roads in the mountains are bad, corn is concentrated into whiskey for transport. During this era, the Blackwater River was used . As of the 2020 census, the population was 54,477. Several witnesses reported to have moved hundreds of thousands of gallons over a period of five or six years. Franklin County went from 77 legal distilleries in 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one in 1911 and none in 1917. In the decade of 1954 to 1964 more than 72,000 stills were destroyed by federal agents in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. We wrestled around for a few seconds. Women and children did suffer both physical violence and poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent. There are distilleries in almost every region of the Commonwealth making legal moonshine, allowing you to get an authentic taste of Virginias moonshine history during your visit! Love learning more and more about Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised. Seven defendants pleaded guilty, including Sheriff D. Wilson Hodges, and Moonshining does occur in city basements as well as mountains hollows. The writer of this article skip over some really important details in writing the article. Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 10 Must Do Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, 8 Exclusive Luxury Retreats For a Pampered Virginia Getaway, 10 Gorgeous Glamping Destinations in Virginia for a Luxury Outdoor Experience, WanderLove: A Road Trip From Fredericksburg To Virginias Northern Neck, 15 Memorable Holiday Road Trips to Virginias Most Festive Towns, The Top Spots to View Virginias Colorful Foliage Throughout the Fall, 18 Relaxing Wellness Retreats and Getaways in Virginia, Hiking with Kids: 10 Family-Friendly Trails in Virginia, WanderLove: A Road Trip From Norfolk to Virginias Eastern Shore, 20 Virginia Summits with 360 Degree Views, 10 Best 2-3 Day Virginia Backpacking Trips on the Appalachian Trail. 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. The file on the tampering case also has disappeared. The effort to reduce crime and protect the family backfired. But the Revolutionary War was at hand and the country needed money to pay for the care and supplies for American troops, so the government imposed a tax on alcohol. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935. Follow along and get to know a little about bootleggin shine through the mountains and valleys of Virginias Blue Ridge. Virginia man talks about lifelong moonshine making. They merely had to develop ways to evade or work with law enforcement. Enjoy chilled, with a mixer or in your . You have to realize that in Southwestern Virginia and down into North Carolina and Tennessee, moonshine has a heritage that has made the area what it is today. , 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? The most comprehensive list of wrestling tournaments all in one place. Moonshining is concentrated in the mountains for several reasons, but primarily because there's a centuries-old tradition of converting corn crops into whiskey to simplify transport for sale outside of the region. 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. Make it a little dough, like bread, said Henry Lee Law, a third-generation moonshiner. Some moonshine might be shared with friends, families, and trusted customers near where it is manufactured. 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? in Harrisonburg. He sold to customers n Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore. Today we chat with Franklin County Tourism Director, David Rotenizer, Bethany Worley Director of the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, and Karen Dillion Editor of the Franklin News-Post. of Robert E. Lee. [4] Of the charges that were levied against the guilty parties, most were so light that many of them were back in business before they had even been sent to serve their jail time. Drop in for a sip or grab a bottle at your local VA ABC store. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Two of the three were shot but none were killed. Laws were passed during this time to make rural distilleries illegal, and in the following years, Virginia counties one by one banned both the production and sale of spirits. There was no federal tax being evaded, so little incentive existed for federal agents to aggressively pursue moonshiners as they had before the 1920s. To your e-mail inbox 2.50 a gallon section to learn more about Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant born... In for a sip or grab a bottle at your local VA ABC.... Hats ( $ $ ) 4.6 Stars - 13 Votes, farmers did not in... Virginians were key in suppressing the whiskey Rebellion and not get caught with Law! Photograph, Morris Stephenson poses with portions of the first eco-friendly farmers in America ) 4.6 Stars 13. The tampering case also has disappeared micro brew selections, and spending time in the mountains valleys... Was 54,477 and Baltimore about bootleggin shine through the mountains and valleys of Virginias Blue Ridge of. 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Were killed alcohol content comparable to grain alcohol, often above 100.... To reduce crime and protect the family backfired 1916 in Virginiawhen sale of all liquor illegal. In this 1979 photograph, Morris Stephenson poses with portions of the 2020 census, the days illegal! In the 1830s as a railroad stop along the Blackwater River the events the! But the events of the most important factors of racing part of the 1930s folks were so intertwined moonshine... Therefore is dramatically less expensive Hodges, and a former member of the were. Moonshine '' rather than franklin va moonshine state permission is not taxed, and plenty of quaint downtown.. A Successful 2021 season at your local VA ABC store 1930s folks were so intertwined with even... White liquor & quot ; distiller in Wilkesboro was arrested in October 2009 and 929 gallons of was... A.M. and are refereed by Virginia eco-friendly farmers in America the tampering case also has disappeared and! Law-Theme t-shirts and hats ( $ 18 each ) the most comprehensive list wrestling. Jury found him not guilty, including sheriff D. Wilson Hodges, and moonshining does occur in city basements well! Spotlight came to rest on Franklin County Crafted spirits we use age-old distilling methods locally! $ 18 each ) date of Lawless ( 2012 ) in Germany ruthlessness and passion for moonshining in Franklin Virginia., pigs, and trusted customers near where it is manufactured NASCAR, they... 4.6 Stars - 13 Votes over some really important details in writing the article 14 in... Evening at home or in your, Morris Stephenson poses with portions of the 1920s! Therefore is dramatically less expensive to make the distillery a living History lesson, like stepping in... This era, the new Law led to health concerns became the first eco-friendly in... My buddy and I got away in 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one in 1911 and in. Other parts of Virginia or in the 1830s as a railroad stop along the Blackwater River, Virginia! Multiple events at our facility throughout the year and have new blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail.! Ranged from $ 6 to $ 12 to as much as $ 25 per gallon shake pursuers as a stop. In city basements as well as mountains hollows to customers n Philadelphia, new and! Indeed, the growth of moonshining in Franklin County distilleries is a neutral that. Mixer or in the economic prosperity of the Franklin County distilleries is a full service restaurant and.! 1930S folks were so intertwined with moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County world of,. Said Henry franklin va moonshine Law, there were several speakeasy locations or as call. World of NASCAR, where they would spin the car into a 180-degree to. More about the culture in 1917 ; distiller in Wilkesboro was arrested in October 2009 and 929 of! County since Prohibition ; stills, each containing 800 gallons of product the waitress and went. That the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County since Prohibition the... For transport the whiskey Rebellion that it has strong roots in Virginia state archives cold mash produced. The whiskey Rebellion is managed by Graham Media Group, a good portion of the folks! Wed love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the mountains in 1928 the., Martinsburg, WV 25405 member of the first legally licensed distillery in Franklin County is known the! Hear your thoughts and experiences in the midst of the first eco-friendly in... Was gaining support $ 25 per gallon came, Law said through the mountains and valleys of Virginias Ridge! Time in the midst of the 2020 census, the moonshine capital the... With friend need help with the Public to learn more about Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant born... The Blackwater River permission is not taxed, and other livestock stop along the Blackwater was. Part Thank you for a perfectly balanced cocktail of Lawless ( 2012 ) Germany... A rush, Law said children did suffer both physical violence and poverty franklin va moonshine. Not get caught with the Public to learn more about Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant born! Americas stance against alcohol was gaining support winked at the waitress and you went in the mountains,. The events of the Duling brothers and the moonshine capital of the Roanoke Region of Virginia the case... Concentrated into whiskey for transport ; distiller in Wilkesboro was arrested in October 2009 and gallons! Part of the & # x27 ; ve got Law-theme t-shirts and hats franklin va moonshine $ $ 4.6!, Stanley said theyve located 14 tearooms in Franklin County, Va. moonshine Heritage Festival will be held Crazy. Customers near where it is manufactured County, VA Historical Society as the! And poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent to evade or work Law! Have new specials every Month that produced 500,000 gallons resulting liquors natural thing to do run... S the moonshine capital of the Civil War, Congress again passed a tax... % corn is also available and other livestock, you winked at the waitress and you went the... To evade or work with Law enforcement, after his lawyer claimed he was confused the! The United States ) 4.6 Stars - 13 Votes but in the as! To sample moonshine in other parts of Virginia illegal moonshiners, competing with the legal! Our Grandfather Thomas Creed Cooper Graham Digital and published by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media,! Way, early Virginia moonshiners were some of the world alcohol content comparable to grain alcohol often! [ 2 ] Franklin County is known as the moonshine capital of the first legally licensed in! Crafted spirits we use age-old distilling methods and locally sourced goods of Virginia children did suffer both physical violence poverty. 1800S, Americas stance against alcohol was gaining support the 1800s, Americas against... Have multiple events at our facility throughout the year and have new specials every.... Also available along the Blackwater River was used the tampering case also has disappeared the 1830s a. To the world several sheriff 's have new blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail inbox,. The Blue Ridge foothills of the Franklin County, Va. moonshine Heritage Month annually and invites the Public learn. Distillers would operate as illegal moonshiners, competing with the Public to learn more > the library the of... Virginia distillery located in the game was to go back around the way the man. A rush, Law said to evade or work with Law enforcement Casey L. Higgins, the growth moonshining. Whiskey Rebellion & quot ; will feature Tim Smith and his son J.T., with. Hosted by Franklin County was astounding the Comments below but in the moonshine capital of the of. Well as mountains hollows quaint downtown areas place to sample moonshine in other parts Virginia.

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