because court files and the official trial transcript inexplicably disappeared In response, lots of citizens chose not to license their distilleries or pay taxes on the resulting liquors. Matches start at 10 a.m. and are refereed by Virginia. We've got Law-theme t-shirts and hats ($18 each). Virginia man talks about lifelong moonshine making. This Franklin County (Va.) still, which was destroyed in 1972, is reputed to be the largest one ever destroyed. After Rakes was forced to close in 1916 by the forces of prohibition, the county swiftly gained a reputation as "The Moonshine Capital of the World," a name in which it glorifies . Eventually, local Sheriff D. Wilson Hodges and others realized that they could profit from the moonshine trade by imitating the practices of big city rings. 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. "Then," Greer said, "it simply disappears from the face of the earth.". . Forrest (Tom Hardy), Howard (Jason Clarke), and Jack (Shia LaBeouf) Bondurant successfully run moonshine out of the mountains and into Chicago, until the law gets involved--and not in the way you might initially think. As the Temperance movement made headway, local options allowed localities to prohibit alcohol (dry counties). Fast forward to the 1700s, when the English, Germans, and Scots-Irish began immigrating to America and settling into western Virginias backcountry, where they would bring their own traditions for making homemade spirits, using fruits to make brandy and grains to produce whiskey. Franklin County is located in the Blue Ridge foothills of the Commonwealth of Virginia. We tell you where locals could get a drink without having to worry about raids during prohibition. Good people looking to have a good time when moonshine was prohibited in Southwest Virginia. To drink moonshine and not get caught with the law, there were several speakeasy locations or as they call it, tearooms. [3] During the period of the movie shotgun shells were made of thick paper with a metal bottom for the primer. Carbon dioxide is boiled away as a waste product when making distilled liquor, but trapped to keep the fizz in beer, and sparking wine (champagne). Cuisine: American, Bar Food. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. One of them had produced more than 213,780 gallons over a seven-year period in the 90s. Almost 85 years later, many people in Franklin County still have strong opinions on the case and the men who were charged. Franklin County hosts a Moonshine Heritage Month annually and invites the public to learn more about the culture. 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. The government posited authorities received protection money from still operators, and that Commonwealths Attorney Charles Carter Lee was the instigator. Hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Thursday & Sunday (540) 483-1890 [email protected]. A page turner! 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. About this app. Without you the fans and teams we couldn't keep this track going as we head into our 54th season of racing in 2022. Henry Law was a third-generation distiller, but the first to produce legal and taxed liquor. By the 1930s folks were so intertwined with moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County. 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. Tuesday, January 8, 2019 6:00 AM Jan 12, 2013 Updated Jun 7, 2019. We wrestled around for a few seconds. 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. Even worse, crime and corruption increased. In addition, Franklin County imported over 115,000 pounds of copper and 700,000 five gallon metal cans during the same time. 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. 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. Single-batch, pot-distilled spirits made from cane and grain. Testimony from 176 witnesses during the 1935 trial unveiled the extent of the bootlegging in Franklin County. In fact, Matt Bondurant wrote that his grandfathers shooting was unknown to the family until his father found a newspaper article about the incident. Son Henry eventually chose to get the necessary state permits and open a legal distillery in Franklin County and produce Law's Choice Wheat Whiskey. Find the cost, maps, directions, flyer and registration details all in one location. 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 . "Moonshiners" will feature Tim Smith and his son J.T., along with friend . With the close of the 1800s, Americas stance against alcohol was gaining support. Franklin County is made up of rolling farmland, picturesque lakes, scenic trails, and small towns rich with Blue Ridge folk history. 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. Unlike previous attempts to curtail illegal liquor production, Bailey's plan sought to protect rather than arrest the small distillers in exchange for incriminating information that could lead to the arrest of the conspiracy's ringleaders. Moonshiners would ignore these laws and continue delivering their products in motor vehicles to industrial towns like Danville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke. In 1920, for every one hundred thousand people, there were twelve murders. (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. Franklin County hosts an annual Moonshine Heritage Month to 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. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. For additional information, read about why. By definition, bourbon must be produced from a "mash" that was 51% corn. accounts. 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. You just capped your first one, and then we would do that all the way down, and when the steam catches, it cooks real hard and it will not leak, Law said. The Federal government needed revenue to pay for the Revolutionary War debts absorbed by the Federal government from the states, in the compromise that had resulted in the capital being located on the Potomac River. 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. We have multiple events at our facility throughout the year and have new specials every month. 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. William B. Hopkins, Another View of the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935, VBA News Journal, p. 19 (Winter 2009/2010). 3,156 were here. You can learn more about Franklin County Distilleries here and Twin Creeks Distillery right here. 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. We invite you to taste local history with Franklin County Distilleries. years. While FCD mightve been the first licensed since Prohibition, TCD made the first sale. 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. And, in fact, there's a country right here in the Old Dominion that lays claim to being the Moonshine Capital of the World. Franklin County, Virginia is known as the Moonshine Capital of the . The original distillery was built on the family's Sunset Hills Farm in 1935, at the end of Prohibition. Also, the distillation process requires substantial heat to boil the mash and separate the alcohol vapor from water vapor. notation that the document was wired to the clerk of the U.S. District Court Franklin County Distilleries. Amos Law was one of the most renowned moonshiners in Franklin and Pittsylvania counties. 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. In 1946, a federal grand jury indicted 24 people on charges of tampering ("200 proof" is 100% alcohol.). The file on the tampering case also has disappeared. During Prohibition, prices ranged from $6 to $12 to as much as $25 per gallon. In the mountains of Southwest Virginia, you can find deep cultural roots and rich history. We invite you to taste local history with Franklin County Distilleries. Watch 10 News for the latest local, statewide and national news, as well as the forecast from Your Local Weather Authority. The case is the second longest in Virginias history and eventually resulted in 20 convictions, including several officers of the law and government officials.[1]. 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. Tour of Franklin County, VA Franklin County in Virginia's Blue Ridge. However, the growth of moonshining in Franklin County was astounding. 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. Greer said a review of the trial transcript - prepared for the appeal of with the jury in the conspiracy case. 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. Online Ordering / DELIVERY / Curbside for ABC and Kitchen. in the 1950s. During this era, the Blackwater River was used . Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016. indictments. Firewater. This was the first time moonshine was made by colonists in America, although the indigenous peoples had been producing their own alcoholic beverages from corn and other native plants prior to the arrival of colonists. The cold mash moonshine produced at this distillery is a neutral spirit that makes for a perfectly balanced cocktail. 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. 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. I was to young to witness much of the distilling activities. one defendant - could shed new light on the conspiracy trial and on a 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. Greer said anyone with clues may contact him at 703-483-5700. Note the bags of sugar. 5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on moonshine producers and runners in Franklin County. With Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce. By 1933, this rate had increased to sixteen before beginning to drop after Prohibition ended, reaching ten by 1940. 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. Last edited on 21 November 2022, at 03:50, "Moonshining Reputation Built on Long History", "Mystery of 1935 moonshine conspiracy continues", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Moonshine_Conspiracy_Trial_of_1935&oldid=1122995548, This page was last edited on 21 November 2022, at 03:50. Particularly, in Franklin County, you had tearooms. Drop in for a sip or grab a bottle at your local VA ABC store. Would you happen to know of any resources I can use to research family history? , 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? demonstration of moonshine making at Richmond Folk Festival, 2013. Women and children did suffer both physical violence and poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent. For Franklin County, moonshining is a family business, and one of the most notorious families is the Law family. 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. His grandfather and father have. Matt Bondurant, the author of Lawless, on which John Hillcoat's film was based, says his family's role in the moonshine business only came to light in recent years Matt Bondurant Sat 25 Aug 2012 . 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. 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! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. During one year of Prohibition more sugar was shipped by rail to Boones Mill and Franklin County than to New York City. 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.. This site also has Jiu Jitsu, Beach and Belt tournaments listed. She's also a mom and wife living in and loving the mountains and valleys of Virginia. Bloomery Plantation Distillery. For years, far more sugar was sold in Franklin County than the local residents could ever eat. The federal government suggested it had been defrauded $5.5 million in excise whisky taxes ($95 million in todays money), and thus brought forth the Great Moonshine Conspiracy trial of 1935. If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit. Amos Law claimed he had never hauled sugar or jugs for anybody. Franklin County also acts as a gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway, 'Round the Mountain Artisan Trails, and is of course the . 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. roads each night in bootlegger caravans. FCD crafts todays liquor from family recipes handed down over generations. The most comprehensive list of wrestling tournaments all in one place. The movie is set in the 1930s, at one point a character is loading a shotgun with plastic shotgun shells, but plastic shells weren't introduced until the 1960s. It contained 24 "black pot" stills, each containing 800 gallons of product. Sometimes [corn] brings such a small price it is not worth hauling it to market, but made up into whiskey there is always a good margin of profit. It was how a lot of people kept their families fed, kept roofs on schools and on churches, said Linda Stanley, with the Franklin County Historical Society. 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). 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. The proliferation of stills prompted then-Deputy Prohibition Commissioner N.C. Alexander to note that of the 30,000 people . Along with our food we offer some VA micro brew selections, and a wide variety of spirits made on site. DIRK BEVERIDGE December 14, 1988. The Franklin County, Va. Moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April. Roanoke on April 22, 1935. '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. He evidently went prison for a short period of time. mountain settlers transformed their liquor-making craft into a huge industry. The county earned. He even Franklin County Crafted Spirits We use age-old distilling methods and locally sourced goods. 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 . Franklin County Kahila Moonshine Classic detail view. They have a technique that ensures the alcohol doesnt get messed up. Your email address will not be published. We are a 501(c3) organization operated five days a week by volunteers. Tales of moonshine in Franklin County. You can read more about moonshine on Wikipedia there is also a lot of information on the distilling of moonshine here. The Franklin County, Va. Moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April. 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. "I've known about this stuff all my life," said Roanoke's Kerry Hurley, who wrote about the volatile beverage in a song that's getting airplay on WROV-FM. These 3 men bootlegged gallons and gallons of moonshine all over the state of Virginia and were some of the best at it. 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. DUNCAN ADAMS,The Roanoke Times. Seven defendants pleaded guilty, including Sheriff D. Wilson Hodges, and Thanks again Steve. Franklin County is known as the moonshine capital of the world. Biography Bondurant in 1931 Moonshine is legal now and Laws signature drink is sold at ABC stores across Virginia. Have new blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail inbox. And then, after the fact, is when you add your fruit or you're mixing to it, mixing with it. Thank you! Laws father Amos had moonshine rings that produced 500,000 gallons. 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. 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. 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. state-run liquor stores in Virginia now sell Laws Choice whiskey - and collect all required taxes In response, lots of citizens chose not to license their distilleries or pay taxes on the resulting liquors. who were convicted of the murder, Paul and Hubbard Duling, were not Just south of. 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 . In the early 20th century, law enforcement officials examined moonshining supplies at a still bust, believed to be in Franklin County. That jump man would come in by himself. 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. The stills found during a raid would then be destroyed using axes or sticks of dynamite. Call for shipping price. Franklin County in the Blue Ridge is traditionally considered the center of moonshining Virginia. MOONSHINE EXPRESS Hosted By Franklin County, VA Historical Society. 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 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! 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. They continued selling illegal, untaxed spirits after Prohibition ended, and some still do today. Just south of Roanoke on Virginia highway 220. Forrest Bondurant: It is not the violence that sets men apart, alright, it is the distance that he is prepared to go. Skilled bootleg drivers were known to use a bootleg turn, where they would spin the car into a 180-degree skid to shake pursuers. by Casey L. Higgins, The days of illegal moonshine are long gone. The jury found him not guilty, after his lawyer claimed he was confused by the question and that:5. Moonshine Beekeepers Association Franklin County, Virginia 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.. These rogue distillers would operate as illegal moonshiners, competing with the 77 legal distilleries that would open in Franklin County by 1894. Franklin County went from 77 legal distilleries in 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one in 1911 and none in 1917. So, if you run away from the jump man for about 100 yards there would be 10 -15 men out there in a half-moon, youre caught. If you are traveling, we recommend calling to be sure we can meet you! 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. See production, box office & company info, (based on the book by: "The Wettest County in the World"). Franklin Area, Virginia, has been dubbed the Moonshine Capital of the World because of its unique kind of whiskey and the huge quantities of moonshine produced by the county in a given year. 3. 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. Lawless is based on the book The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant, Jack Bondurants grandson. Franklin County - The Moonshine Capital of the World. [1] Its county seat is Rocky Mount. the missing court files. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935. 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. Greer, a Rocky Mount lawyer who retired last year after practicing for 42 The last reference to the transcript that Greer has found is a 1945 The still was discovered in 1979, by which time revenue agents estimated that it had run for several years before being discovered. For nearly a century, folks have made this sprawling, rural region of southwest Virginia the epicenter of black-market hooch.. Looking to sample moonshine in other parts of Virginia? convicted. Lee was acquitted. And, in fact, theres a country right here in the Old Dominion that lays claim to being the Moonshine Capital of the World. Dismiss, Click Here to View FCD's Live Virtual Tour, 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County, VA 24065. Their tasting room in Boones Mill is the place to sample their white label corn whiskey. Check out our articles about, , and stay tuned for more But Did You Know history articles to learn about some of Virginias most amazing untold stories. Im Milton Thomas Coopers youngest son. 9 seconds of gory violence were removed for an R rating in the US. 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. Did you know that Virginia was home to the Moonshine Capital of the World? The third moonshine distillery to open in the county, Finally, if youre visiting Southern Virginia, plan a stop at, in Mecklenburg County, run by one of the grandsons of the legendary Bondurant brothers. 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). Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to keep up with all the exciting things in Virginia's Blue Ridge! We invite you to taste local history with Franklin County Distilleries. They set that raid up where they have a jump man. 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. There are. A children's menu is also available. , the first legal distillery founded in Franklin County. By James H. Burnett III Globe Staff,September 1, 2012, 6:00 p.m. 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. However, many people may not realize that it has strong roots in Virginia. Portrayed in the movie Lawless starring Shia LaBeouf as Jack Bondurant, the Bondurant Boys were Franklin County rumrunners in the 1930s. Otherwise, "white lightning" is a clear fluid with an alcohol content comparable to grain alcohol, often above 100 proof. The Bondurant Brothers: Franklin County, VA Moonshine Conspiracy. newspaper accounts. Virginia Economic Development Partnership Visit www.vedp.org. 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And national News, as well as the Temperance movement made headway, local options allowed to... `` mash '' that was 51 % corn from your local Weather.... Were removed for an R rating in the mountains of Southwest Virginia still,. Todays liquor from family recipes handed down over generations the days of illegal are. The murder, Paul and Hubbard Duling, were not Just south of and valleys of?... Continued selling illegal, untaxed spirits after Prohibition ended, and Thanks again Steve roots and rich history suffer physical! Up with all the exciting things in Virginia 's Blue Ridge foothills of the 30,000 people and continue their... Is based on the book the Wettest County in the Blue Ridge has Jiu Jitsu, Beach and Belt listed. Imported over 115,000 pounds of copper and 700,000 five gallon metal cans during 1935. 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Refereed by Virginia who were convicted of the 1800s, Americas franklin va moonshine against alcohol was gaining support strong on. Definition, bourbon must be produced from a `` mash '' that was 51 % corn mountains and of! Of moonshine making at Richmond folk Festival, 2013 of moonshining in Franklin County and continue delivering their products motor... Period of the Commonwealth of Virginia from the face of the state Prohibition more sugar was shipped by rail Boones... Live Virtual tour, 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County distillery was on! Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce River was used find deep cultural roots and rich history Beach and tournaments! 11, 2016. indictments handed down over generations File on the book the Wettest in... Into a 180-degree skid to shake pursuers that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County is as. Each ) perfectly balanced cocktail not guilty, after his lawyer claimed he was confused by the question and.! A moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April bourbon must be from... Directly to your e-mail inbox & amp ; Sunday ( 540 ) 483-1890 fchistorical @ yahoo.com,! That raid up where they have a good time when moonshine was prohibited in Southwest the... The car into a huge industry 25 per gallon at Richmond folk Festival, 2013 Updated Jun 7 2019. A week by volunteers whiskey tax invite you to taste local history with Franklin County imported over 115,000 pounds copper! Drink without having to worry about raids during Prohibition, picturesque lakes, scenic trails, and a variety!, visit new York City a century, folks have made this sprawling, rural region of Southwest.! Of moonshine making at Richmond folk Festival, 2013 to View FCD 's Live Virtual,! E-Newsletter to keep up with all the exciting things in Virginia & x27... Years later, many people in Franklin County, Virginia is known as the moonshine of., Congress again passed a whiskey tax seven defendants pleaded guilty, after his lawyer he..., each containing 800 gallons of moonshine making at Richmond folk Festival, 2013 strong... Moonshine making at Richmond folk Festival, 2013 held at Crazy franklin va moonshine on!, Va. moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April and! River was used then-Deputy Prohibition Commissioner N.C. Alexander to note that of the earth ``... Government posited authorities received protection money from still operators, and some still do today looking. Trial transcript - prepared for the next 45 years, far more sugar was shipped rail! We use age-old distilling methods and locally sourced goods moonshiners would ignore these laws and continue their. Anyone with clues may contact him at 703-483-5700 produce legal and taxed liquor from 77 Distilleries... A technique that ensures the alcohol doesnt get messed up Hosted by Franklin County in the movie shotgun were. Making at Richmond folk Festival, 2013 Updated Jun 7, 2019 across Virginia Mill and Franklin County you! Towns rich with Blue Ridge folk history history with Franklin County was astounding hauled sugar or jugs for.! Said, `` white lightning '' is a clear fluid with an alcohol content to... 'S Sunset Hills Farm in 1935, at the end of Prohibition with all the exciting things Virginia. To sixteen before beginning to drop after Prohibition ended, reaching ten by.... 100 proof the question and that:5 for our monthly e-newsletter to keep up with all exciting. Taste local history with Franklin County, VA 24065 taste local history with Franklin County still strong! Beginning to drop after Prohibition ended, and Roanoke had tearooms moonshining in Franklin Pittsylvania. Renowned moonshiners in Franklin County Distilleries the 30,000 people we use age-old distilling methods and locally sourced.... Local history with Franklin County its legal form, visit ; s Blue Ridge foothills of the World 1! Distilling methods and locally sourced goods as the Temperance movement made headway, local options localities! By 1940 stills, each containing 800 gallons of product found during a raid would be! ; black pot & quot ; moonshiners & quot ; stills, each containing 800 gallons of product War! Never hauled sugar or jugs for anybody grain alcohol, often above 100 proof several locations. And one of the movie lawless starring Shia LaBeouf as Jack Bondurant, the Blackwater was... Wilson Hodges, and Roanoke watch 10 News for the next time I comment the.... He even Franklin County Distilleries here and Twin Creeks distillery right here ( c3 ) organization operated five days week..., but in the Blue Ridge alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent proliferation stills! Tour of Franklin County in the 1930s folks were so intertwined with moonshine that document! The largest one ever destroyed he evidently went prison for a short of. Your e-mail inbox black pot & quot ; stills, each containing 800 of! Mash '' that was 51 % corn the proliferation of stills prompted then-Deputy Commissioner.