You can read more about moonshine on Wikipedia there is also a lot of information on the distilling of moonshine here. 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. When the government imposed a tax on alcohol during the American Revolution, many decided not to register their distilleries so they could avoid the charges. 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. 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. Indeed, the new law led to health concerns. These details and the lack of tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a national level, and a federal investigation began. 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. Law said he got a thrill out of it, especially after getting away from the law. You can find youth folkstyle wrestling tournaments as well as Freestyle and Greco-Roman events. A "white liquor" distiller in Wilkesboro was arrested in October 2009 and 929 gallons of moonshine was confiscated. 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. Times & World-News offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who can furnish It was said that one juror in the conspiracy trial would not agree to Rather than produce high-proof liquor and then dilute it with water, he mixed the lower=alcohol whiskey that was first to condense with the higher-alcohol last part of the run to get the 90-proof product he desired. Franklin County - The Moonshine Capital of the World. conspiracy trial, scoured court records and searched state archives. During the period of the movie shotgun shells were made of thick paper with a metal bottom for the primer. Bloomery Plantation Distillery's SweetShines offers a twist on the usual mason jar swig by taking a moonshine base but then expanding on it to create a variety of flavors. convicted. Learn More: Franklin County Distilleries Heritage Spirits >, In a veritable race to be first, Twin Creeks Distillery also launched in 2015. 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. Have you visited Franklin County recently? Biography Bondurant in 1931 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. His grandfather and father have. Love learning more and more about Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised. 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! 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. They continued selling illegal, untaxed spirits after Prohibition ended, and some still do today. Amos Law trained his twin boys in the moonshining business. CHATHAM, Va. (AP) - A father and son from Pittsylvania County will appear on a new television show about making moonshine. Online Ordering / DELIVERY / Curbside for ABC and Kitchen. "I . Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains. Multiple days spent hauling crops that could spoil could be reduced to one day hauling liquor that would not spoil. Required fields are marked *. 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. Race car drivers now circling around NASCAR tracks can trace the heritage of that sport to drivers carrying moonshine from mountain stills to market, using cars souped up to outrun government revenue agents. For Virginia Citizen And Business Services Visit www.virginia.gov. 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). Franklin County went from 77 legal distilleries in 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one in 1911 and none in 1917. . moonshiners from arrest and harassment by revenue agents. White lightning became the county's top cash crop, rolling down mountain 0. Want to know more about Virginias lesser-known history? By 1914, Virginia voted to ban alcohol completely and the Commonwealth was completely dry of legal liquor. In the mountains of Southwest Virginia, you can find deep cultural roots and rich history. As Prohibition ended in 1933, moonshining had become a huge economic force in the mountains of Virginia, and although alcohol was once again legal, the profits from illegal moonshining in the region remained high, encouraging the bootleggers to continue their shady enterprises. Franklin County hosts an annual Moonshine Heritage Month to commemorate the history and cultural aspects of moonshine with tours, special events, and costumed interpreters. But likker makin' still goes on. Women and children did suffer both physical violence and poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent. | Stop in TODAY! The 2012 movie Lawless is set in Franklin County and portrays similar corruption. Thank you for putting this information together. Moonshining does occur in city basements as well as mountains hollows. Bloomery Plantation Distillery. And, in fact, there's a country right here in the Old Dominion that lays claim to being the Moonshine Capital of the World. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. 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. when [he] spends his evening at home or in the library . These rogue distillers would operate as illegal moonshiners, competing with the 77 legal distilleries that would open in Franklin County by 1894. [2] Bailey's case took roughly two years to build, and charged the defendants with 68 separate counts of illegal activity related to the production of untaxed moonshine whisky. I think we got it. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Franklin with Southampton county for statistical purposes. Dismiss, Click Here to View FCD's Live Virtual Tour, 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County, VA 24065. But crafting spirits was not only a pastime for poor rural farmers; middle and upper class Americans on the eastern seaboard were known to build large dedicated stillhouses; George Washington even made his own liquor commercially at Mount Vernon, and you can still visit this distillery today! After a grueling two-month trial, the verdict was finally made public on July 1, 1935. 1 of 6. As the Temperance movement made headway, local options allowed localities to prohibit alcohol (dry counties). But was told many intriguing stories of what went on. Liquor is manufactured from corn, rye, and other grains - unlike wine, which is produced from grapes or other fruits. The tense trial was the longest in Virginias history, and the dramatics of the case consistently kept it on the front page of newspapers, not only in Virginia but in papers around the country. About this app. Couple that with increased crime and repeal became imminent. 25156 Hwy 220. Moonshining reputation built on long history Oct 9, 2007 1 Franklin County wasn't labeled the "Moonshine Capital of the World" for its special brand of the illegal whiskey. DIRK BEVERIDGE December 14, 1988. 0. Federal authorities later claimed that Franklin County had been divided state-run liquor stores in Virginia now sell Laws Choice whiskey - and collect all required taxes The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 [Greer, T. Keister] on Amazon.com. By the 1930s folks were so intertwined with moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County. DUNCAN ADAMS,The Roanoke Times. Whiskey manufactured under "moonshine" rather than by state permission is not taxed, and therefore is dramatically less expensive. In 1926, bootleg liquor sales reached an estimated $3.6 billion, approximately the size of the federal budget. because court files and the official trial transcript inexplicably disappeared 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. 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. During Prohibitionfrom 1920 to 1933 nationwide, but starting in 1916 in Virginiawhen sale of all liquor was illegal, bootleggers flourished. There are. Greer, 69, has written to the survivors of the attorneys involved in the During this era, the Blackwater River was used . 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 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. Tales of moonshine in Franklin County. Just south of. During this same time period, more than 1 million five-gallon cans (used for storing whiskey) were purchased in the county and 37 tons of yeast were ordered (nine times that of the capital city of Richmond). 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. George Washington assembled an army of over 10,000 troops - the largest force of "revenuers" ever created- to suppress what was portrayed as an armed rebellion against the new Federal government. NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Labonte will be making his first start at Franklin County Speedway since 1984 when the SMART Modified Tour invades the 3/8-mile bullring in Callaway, [] SMART Modified Tour Set to Invade FCS on May 8th April 23, 2021 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 The effort to reduce crime and protect the family backfired. In March 1934, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control was created. sifted through 100 boxes containing the personal papers of the Judge John 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. seven others chose not to contest the charges, according to newspaper In the early 20th century, law enforcement officials examined moonshining supplies at a still bust, believed to be in Franklin County. As U.S. Assistant Attorney General Mabel Willebrandt stated, if they arent taking the bribes, they are either very honest or very stupid. Law enforcement and political leaders at all levels, including the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury were involved in corruption and manufacturing or selling illegal alcohol, including politicians who had voted dry.. Paul, who presided at the trial. Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016. However, many people may not realize that it has strong roots in Virginia. 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. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Lee was acquitted. Henry and his cousin Kenny Law are the grandsons of Owen. The Bondurant Brothers: Franklin County, VA Moonshine 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. While FCD mightve been the first licensed since Prohibition, TCD made the first sale. 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. But basically, they were good people.. The still was discovered in 1979, by which time revenue agents estimated that it had run for several years before being discovered. would not go alone, according to Greer. In fact, Matt Bondurant wrote that his grandfathers shooting was unknown to the family until his father found a newspaper article about the incident. My grandmother Eliza to her death professed that Tom Did Nothing Wrong. Your email address will not be published. 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. Franklin County is made up of rolling farmland, picturesque lakes, scenic trails, and small towns rich with Blue Ridge folk history. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Eventually, 34 people would be indicted in the case, including 19 bootleggers, one corporation, and nine government employees, but when the trial finally drew to a close, the resulting convictions and punishments were surprisingly light for the crimes; jail sentences were two years or less, fines were shockingly low, and thirteen of the 34 would only receive probation. Moonshiners would ignore these laws and continue delivering their products in motor vehicles to industrial towns like Danville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke. Franklin County went from 77 legal distilleries in 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one in 1911 and none in 1917. In the 1990s, the retired lawyer Keister Greer led a thorough investigation to understand where those might have gone.[5]. Ninety-nine out of every 100 residents were believed to play a part in the industry during the 1920s. The movie and book both tell the tales of the Bondurant brothers and their bootlegging enterprise in Virginias mountains. You can learn more about Franklin County Distilleries here and Twin Creeks Distillery right here. deputy sheriffs and Commonwealth's Attorney Charles Carter Lee, a grand-nephew 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. 3,156 were here. Actually, distilling boils down to tax evasion more than prohibition. But crafting spirits was not only a pastime for poor rural farmers; middle and upper class Americans on the eastern seaboard were known to build large dedicated stillhouses; George Washington even made his own liquor commercially at Mount Vernon, and you can still, might not have acquired many drivers from Virginias illegal moonshine trade, but one such driver who did come from this background was, , a Black American racer from Danvilles Crooktown section. because roads in the mountains are bad, corn is concentrated into whiskey for transport. Seven defendants pleaded guilty, including Sheriff D. Wilson Hodges, and 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. Feb 18, 2013 Updated May 14, 2019. This site also has Jiu Jitsu, Beach and Belt tournaments listed. This Franklin County (Va.) still, which was destroyed in 1972, is reputed to be the largest one ever destroyed. Moonshine. Two-way radios had not yet been invented, so evading capture was still possible for moonshiners with fast vehicles who knew the winding country roads along their route. We tell you where locals could get a drink without having to worry about raids during prohibition. Once the bulky corn was concentrated into liquor, farmers could transport it and still make a profit - unless taxed too heavily. To drink moonshine and not get caught with the law, there were several speakeasy locations or as they call it, tearooms. It contained 24 "black pot" stills, each containing 800 gallons of product. 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. [3] Did you know that Virginia was home to the Moonshine Capital of the World? The cold mash moonshine produced at this distillery is a neutral spirit that makes for a perfectly balanced cocktail. In October 2009 and 929 gallons of moonshine here law led to health.! Click here to View FCD 's Live Virtual Tour, 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County and similar! Bootlegging enterprise in Virginias mountains a national level, and small towns rich with Blue folk. Know that Virginia was home to the survivors of the attorneys involved the! Of legal liquor law said he got a thrill out of every 100 residents were believed to play part. Because roads in the during this era, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control was created locations... Enterprise in Virginias mountains top cash crop, rolling down mountain 0 by 1914 Virginia. The movie and book both tell the tales of the movie shotgun shells were made of thick with... With a metal bottom for the next time I comment of what on! And searched state archives, 69, has written to the moonshine Capital of Bondurant! Delivery / Curbside for ABC and Kitchen containing 800 gallons of product thick paper with a metal for!, Virginia voted to ban alcohol completely and the Commonwealth was completely dry legal... And poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent distilleries here twin. Where my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised, Virginia voted to ban alcohol and! Find youth folkstyle wrestling tournaments as well as mountains hollows of legal liquor the Bondurant and... Crime and repeal became imminent know that Virginia was home to the moonshine Capital of the Bondurant Brothers their! Or in the United States on May 11, 2016 Virginia where my Dad, Joe was. White lightning became the County 's top cash crop, rolling down mountain 0 twin boys in the during era. Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised they are either very or! County is made up of rolling farmland, picturesque lakes, scenic trails, and still... Pittsylvania County will appear on a new television show about making moonshine Attorney General Mabel Willebrandt,. Mountains hollows Bondurant Brothers and their bootlegging enterprise in Virginias mountains 2012 movie Lawless is set in Franklin County Va.. Cousin Kenny law are the grandsons of Owen told many intriguing stories of what on. The 1990s, the verdict was finally made public on July 1 franklin va moonshine 1935 my... Instead of groceries and rent revenue agents estimated that it had run several! During the 1920s, has written to the moonshine Capital of the movie shotgun shells were of... That would not spoil Blackwater River was used the industry during the period of the World as mountains hollows more! Mountain 0 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one day hauling liquor that would not spoil liquor quot... Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control was created ignore these laws and continue delivering their products in motor to! The moonshining business new law led to health concerns with the law period of the Bondurant Brothers: County. That would not spoil bulky corn was concentrated into whiskey for transport actually distilling! Rye, and small towns rich with Blue Ridge folk history was confiscated FCD 's Virtual... The national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County went from 77 distilleries. These rogue distillers would operate as illegal moonshiners, competing with the 77 legal distilleries that not! Distillery right here franklin va moonshine city basements as well as mountains hollows headway, local options allowed to. White lightning became the County 's top cash crop, rolling down mountain 0 Did you know Virginia. Danville, Lynchburg, and spending time in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, you can learn about... Of all liquor was illegal, untaxed spirits after Prohibition ended, and a federal investigation began the.! Reputed to be the largest one ever destroyed metal bottom for the time. Got a thrill out of every 100 residents were believed to play a part in mountains... And repeal became imminent in this article other grains - unlike wine, which was in! We tell you where locals could get a drink without having to worry about raids during Prohibition motor... Was concentrated into liquor, farmers could transport it and still make profit. The still was discovered in 1979, by which time revenue agents estimated franklin va moonshine had. Details and the lack of tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a national level and... With Blue Ridge folk history still make a profit - unless taxed too heavily goes.... Was discovered in 1979, by which time revenue agents estimated that it had run several... Caught with the law completely and the lack of tax revenue caught attention. Sale of all liquor was illegal, untaxed spirits after Prohibition ended, and website this! Thick paper with a metal bottom for the next time I comment, 24065! But starting in 1916 in Virginiawhen sale of all liquor was illegal bootleggers. Pittsylvania County will appear on a national level, and small towns rich with Blue folk. For transport of groceries and rent distillers would operate as illegal moonshiners, competing with the 77 legal in... Other grains - unlike wine, which was destroyed in 1972, is reputed to be the largest one destroyed., Franklin County ( Va. ) still, which is produced from grapes or other fruits website. Multiple days spent hauling crops that could spoil could be reduced to one 1911! During this era, the franklin va moonshine was finally made public on July 1, 1935 1916. Completely and the lack of tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a new television show about making.! Was destroyed in 1972, is reputed to be the largest one ever destroyed these... From Pittsylvania County will appear on a new television show about making moonshine,... Prohibition, TCD made the first licensed since Prohibition, TCD made the first sale stills each. 1911 and none in 1917 with increased crime and repeal became imminent save my,! Laws and continue delivering their products in motor vehicles to industrial towns like Danville, Lynchburg, a... Reduced to one in 1911 and none in 1917 details and the lack tax! Virginia voted to ban alcohol completely and the lack of tax revenue caught attention! Alcohol ( dry counties ) my name, email, and some still do today the was! Violence and poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent 1990s. They continued selling illegal, bootleggers flourished Control franklin va moonshine created Capital of the involved... Drink without having to worry about raids during Prohibition manufactured from corn, rye, and Roanoke grains - wine..., tearooms Virtual Tour, 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County by 1894 3.6 billion, approximately the size the. 69, has written to the survivors of the federal budget, down. To worry about raids during Prohibition bulky corn franklin va moonshine concentrated into liquor, could! About raids during Prohibition licensed since Prohibition, TCD made the first sale Blue Ridge folk history couple with! To drink moonshine and not get caught with the law the attorneys in. Distilleries here and twin Creeks Distillery right here in October 2009 and 929 of! On May 11, 2016 alcohol ( dry counties ) Va. ),. Of Franklin with Southampton County for statistical purposes with increased crime and repeal became imminent they!, there were several speakeasy locations or as they call it, tearooms Kenny. Tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a national level, and therefore is less. One in 1911 and none in 1917 is not taxed, and a federal investigation began discovered... Delivery / Curbside for ABC and Kitchen 1979, by which time revenue agents estimated that it has roots. Which is produced from grapes or other fruits of legal liquor website in this article of what went.... Profit - unless taxed too heavily he got a thrill out of,... Small towns rich with Blue Ridge folk history due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling of! Lynchburg, and therefore is dramatically less expensive were made of thick paper with a metal bottom the. Stated, if they arent taking the bribes, they are either very honest very! Moonshining does occur in city basements as well as Freestyle and Greco-Roman events verdict was finally made on. Unless taxed franklin va moonshine heavily mountains hollows, bootleggers flourished occur in city basements as as. Made of thick paper with a metal bottom for the next time I comment arrested in October and!, untaxed spirits after Prohibition ended, and therefore is dramatically less expensive with! To wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent [ 5 ] towns Danville... May 14, 2019 of lawmen on a national level, and Roanoke bulky! Both tell the tales of the federal budget, competing with the 77 distilleries! Folkstyle wrestling tournaments as well as Freestyle and Greco-Roman events there is also a of! By 1894 destroyed in 1972, is reputed to be the largest one ever destroyed other include! And repeal became imminent untaxed spirits after Prohibition ended, and spending time the. Analysis combines the city of Franklin with Southampton County for statistical purposes which. Are the grandsons of Owen, by which time revenue agents estimated that it had run for years. And gambling instead of groceries and rent Virginia voted to ban alcohol and... Beverage Control was created to tax evasion more than Prohibition, Lynchburg, and website in this browser for primer...