8 talking about this. Franklin County went from 77 legal distilleries in 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one in 1911 and none in 1917. Enjoy chilled, with a mixer or in your . [3] In 1620, just 13 years after the Jamestown settlement was established, Virginia colonists were using corn to distill spirits along the James River. 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). If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit. 3. because court files and the official trial transcript inexplicably disappeared Few People Realize That The Moonshine Capital Of The World Is In Franklin County, Virginia Moonshine has a fascinating and complicated history. 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. Required fields are marked *. "I . 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. This Franklin County (Va.) still, which was destroyed in 1972, is reputed to be the largest one ever destroyed. Franklin County remained wet and voted 1,373 against statewide prohibition with 1,079 for. Virginia State Police has identified the pilot who was killed in a plane crash in Carroll County. 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. Thank you! There are. 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. White Lightning. 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 Franklin County went from 77 legal distilleries in 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one in 1911 and none in 1917. . The 2012 movie Lawless is set in Franklin County and portrays similar corruption. , 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? Congress voted in favor of repeal on February 20, 1933, the Virginia General Assembly concurred on October 3, 1933, and the 21st Amendment was ratified December 5, 1933. These details and the lack of tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a national level, and a federal investigation began. Love Virginia? Although the production of illegal whiskey and products used for both home brewing and distilling increased during Prohibition, dry and semi-dry politicians and civic leaders continued to support it. Your email address will not be published. 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. There was no federal tax being evaded, so little incentive existed for federal agents to aggressively pursue moonshiners as they had before the 1920s. We have multiple events at our facility throughout the year and have new specials every month. 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 government posited authorities received protection money from still operators, and that Commonwealths Attorney Charles Carter Lee was the instigator. The Franklin County, Va. Moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April. 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. Greer, 69, has written to the survivors of the attorneys involved in the Moonshine has a fascinating and complicated history. County, and Richards had told people that he expected to go to prison but Almost 85 years later, many people in Franklin County still have strong opinions on the case and the men who were charged. Women and children did suffer both physical violence and poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent. Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016. 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. Large, notable busts since then have occurred as recently as 2001. Otherwise, "white lightning" is a clear fluid with an alcohol content comparable to grain alcohol, often above 100 proof. These rogue distillers would operate as illegal moonshiners, competing with the 77 legal distilleries that would open in Franklin County by 1894. Franklin County Moonshine Heritage Festival | Moneta VA The film was released uncut internationally (including Canada). 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? Your email address will not be published. After a trial, 22 defendants were Two of the three were shot but none were killed. Gymnasium. 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. Photographed above, Franklin County Distilleries is most famous for its white corn whiskey. Thank you for putting this information together. Laws father Amos had moonshine rings that produced 500,000 gallons. Franklin County also acts as a gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway, 'Round the Mountain Artisan Trails, and is of course the . (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. 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 proliferation of stills prompted then-Deputy Prohibition Commissioner N.C. Alexander to note that of the 30,000 people . Greer also would like to know more about the murder of Franklin County They have a technique that ensures the alcohol doesnt get messed up. ($$) 4.6 Stars - 13 Votes. Many business leaders and politicians though it was acceptable for them to drink, but believed that excessive drinking was harmful to the working classes, so that Prohibition would be good for them by making alcohol unattainable. Three years before national prohibition took effect by way of the 18th Amendment, Virginia went dry. In addition, Franklin County imported over 115,000 pounds of copper and 700,000 five gallon metal cans during the same time. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. About this app. CHATHAM, Va. (AP) - A father and son from Pittsylvania County will appear on a new television show about making moonshine. 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. Lee was acquitted. For additional information, read about why. In fact, the business had to get the support of locals during the 2017 election to pass a referendum that allowed the sale of liquor by the drink. demonstration of moonshine making at Richmond Folk Festival, 2013. one defendant - could shed new light on the conspiracy trial and on a 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. The agricultural aspects of the communities and a lack of roads to transport produce grown on the lands to other parts of the state resulted in an abundance of fruits and grains to use in the distilling process. In response, lots of citizens chose not to license their distilleries or pay taxes on the resulting liquors. Henry and his cousin Kenny Law are the grandsons of Owen. "They scooped up on me a few times, tried to bulldog me into the ground," Law said. The jury found him not guilty, after his lawyer claimed he was confused by the question and that:5. What I figured out early in the game was to go back around the way the jump man came, Law said. Head to the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum in Franklin County to learn more about moonshine heritage and the distilling practices passed down over multiple generations. The term 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. Local moonshining legends kept the attention of readers, who loved tales of individuals like Mrs. Willie Carter Sharpe, who was known as the queen of Roanoke rum runners.. With Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce. The city of Franklin had its humble beginnings in the 1830s as a railroad stop along the Blackwater River. when [he] spends his evening at home or in the library . who were convicted of the murder, Paul and Hubbard Duling, were not In this episode, we talk about what events visitors can expect to participate in during Moonshine Heritage Month, a month-long . 0. 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. 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 this 1979 photograph, Morris Stephenson poses with portions of the 'cemetery still . 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. Matches start at 10 a.m. and are refereed by Virginia. Greer, a Rocky Mount lawyer who retired last year after practicing for 42 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. The remaining 20 defendants went on trial at the old federal building in 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. Moonshiners would ignore these laws and continue delivering their products in motor vehicles to industrial towns like Danville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 . 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. A federal commission set up to study 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. Another moonshine distillery in the area is. He caught my buddy and I got away, and Im like, Wow man, what a rush, Law said. Love learning more and more about Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised. What are the differences between the R-Rated Version and the International Uncensored Versions. And, in fact, theres a country right here in the Old Dominion that lays claim to being the Moonshine Capital of the World. 467 Franklin St Rocky Mount, VA 24151 Get directions Edit business info You Might Also Consider Sponsored Regal Valley View Grande 21.2 miles away from Franklin County Moonshine Festival Sage N. said "There are in fact student discounts, the previous reviewer is mistaken in that regard. See production, box office & company info, (based on the book by: "The Wettest County in the World"). Even worse, crime and corruption increased. VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC. 9 seconds of gory violence were removed for an R rating in the US. 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. In 1920, for every one hundred thousand people, there were twelve murders. We've got Law-theme t-shirts and hats ($18 each). 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. Tuesday, January 8, 2019 6:00 AM Biography Bondurant in 1931 1140 Kelly Island Rd, Martinsburg, WV 25405. We invite you to taste local history with Franklin County Distilleries. The Franklin County, Va. Moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April. In 2015, Franklin County Distilleries became the first legally licensed distillery in Franklin County since Prohibition. Dismiss, Click Here to View FCD's Live Virtual Tour, 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County, VA 24065. Thanks again Steve. 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 the 1950s. Make it a little dough, like bread, said Henry Lee Law, a third-generation moonshiner. Would you happen to know of any resources I can use to research family history? Just south of. seven others chose not to contest the charges, according to newspaper Franklin County Distilleries is a full service restaurant and distillery. 3,156 were here. Musicians within the region write songs about homemade hooch, stills have been repurposed into art exhibits, and youll find merchandise emblazoned with moonshine logos in stores throughout Virginias Mountain region. in Harrisonburg. Want to know more about Virginias lesser-known history? 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. Indeed, the new law led to health concerns. 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. Virginia at the time of these brothers would come to be known as the wettest county in the world. Moonshine is legal now and Laws signature drink is sold at ABC stores across Virginia. My buddy was on the ground. It took three trials to convict the Duling brothers of the murder of Franklin County, Va., sheriff's Deputy Thomas . 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 Morning Delivery DECEMBER 19, 1930 Surviving the Shoot-out Moonshine Continues Forrest Bondurant Nov. 21, 1901- Dec. 4, 1965 Heroes or Anti-heroes Before long, three of the cars reach the narrow wooden bridge The, 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. County residents, including the commonwealth's attorney, several sheriff's Nowadays distilling spirits is legal in Virginia, but that requires licensing and tax payments. From 1928-1935, prosecutors alleged that a conspiracy ring had defrauded the government out of 5.5 million dollars in whisky excise taxes, equivalent to roughly 95 million dollars today. 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 still was discovered in 1979, by which time revenue agents estimated that it had run for several years before being discovered. o commemorate the history and cultural aspects of moonshine with tours, special events, and costumed interpreters. Greer said. moonshiners from arrest and harassment by revenue agents. state-run liquor stores in Virginia now sell Laws Choice whiskey - and collect all required taxes In . During Prohibition, prices ranged from $6 to $12 to as much as $25 per gallon. In Virginias mountains, a few bootleggers were quite wealthy, earning tens of thousands of dollars in cash while the Great Depression was in full swing. 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. Franklin County Crafted Spirits We use age-old distilling methods and locally sourced goods. 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. Copyright 2022 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. We wrestled around for a few seconds. Back in the days when car radiators were used to condense the vaporized alcohol into liquid phase, enough lead might end up in the moonshine to blind or kill the final consumer. Homegrown in the Moonshine Capital of the world, Franklin County Distilleries is built on the brand that moonshiners created, and offers a true taste of history in every bottle. In the 1920s and 1930s, if you lived in Franklin County, most likely you were in involved in the county's biggest industry making illegal whiskey or moonshine. , where you can sample moonshine, fruit brandies, and White Whiskey, the distillerys pure, unaged corn liquors available in 90- and 100-proof. Photos and more. Despite the low salary of $1,800 a year ($24,227 in 2021), there were more applications for Prohibition agents than there were jobs open. Upon questioning, Jack merely lifted his shirt to show the bullet hole.. Converting apples, peaches, and corn to alcohol before transporting the product by wagon to town meant fewer trips and more money. NASCAR might not have acquired many drivers from Virginias illegal moonshine trade, but one such driver who did come from this background was Wendell Oliver Scott, a Black American racer from Danvilles Crooktown section. As a column in the New York World proclaimed: Prohibition is an awful flop.We like it.It can't stop what it's meant to stop.We like it. We are a 501(c3) organization operated five days a week by volunteers. notation that the document was wired to the clerk of the U.S. District Court 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. 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. Events By Duncan Adams. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. In New York City alone, over $60 million a year in bribes were paid by speakeasies to police and politicians. Source: Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, Law's Choice Wheat Whiskey. Lawless is based on the book The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant, Jack Bondurants grandson. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains. 5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on moonshine producers and runners in Franklin County. 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. Robert Bondurant, grandson of Franklin County's most famous moonshiner, is reviving the family legacy of making moonshine in Bondurant Brothers Distillery. All spirits available in our tasting room, Virginia ABC stores, and select restaurants and bars. We'll go through this sugar rather quickly, said Bobby Cobbs of Virginia Baptist Children's Home and Family Services, adding that . Did you know that Virginia was home to the Moonshine Capital of the World? During this era, the Blackwater River was used . 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! An article in the Winter 2009/2010 edition of VBA News Journal penned by Lees nephew, William B. Hopkins, suggests Lee was thrown under the bus, as he was simply following orders that came directly from Virginia Governor John Garland Pollard. We tell you where locals could get a drink without having to worry about raids during prohibition. 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. 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 . FCD crafts todays liquor from family recipes handed down over generations. Liquor is manufactured from corn, rye, and other grains - unlike wine, which is produced from grapes or other fruits. One Franklin county bootlegger stated in an interview with Essie W. Smith (as part of the Virginia Writers Project), sometimes tobacco, the only money crop, barely pays the fertilizer bills . Actually, distilling boils down to tax evasion more than prohibition. Moonshining does occur in city basements as well as mountains hollows. Along with our food we offer some VA micro brew selections, and a wide variety of spirits made on site. 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. Once home to almost ninety licensed distilleries and many saloons, by 1911 Virginia's Franklin County, in the heart of Appalachia, had been reduced to a single liquor business operated by Richard Flemming Rakes. However, the customers are primarily "nip joints" (unlicensed bars) in urban areas such as Richmond, Baltimore and Philadelphia.3, In my incomplete (but still satisfying) experience, moonshine is sold in a Mason jar normally used for canning, sometimes with a peach on the bottom to give it a little bourbon-like color. Particularly, in Franklin County, you had tearooms. Moonshine Beekeepers Association Franklin County, Virginia newspaper accounts. A fun bit of history for you: TCDs owner and Master Distiller is the grandson of James Walter Peg Hatcher, one of those convicted in The Great Moonshine Conspiracy on 1935., Learn More: Twin Creeks Distillery Craft Spirits >. Largest one ever destroyed Kenny Law are the differences between the R-Rated Version and the International Uncensored Versions have! Distilleries became the first legally licensed distillery in Franklin County, Va. moonshine Heritage Festival Moneta. 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Where my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised sell laws Choice whiskey - and collect all taxes! Voted 1,373 against statewide prohibition with 1,079 for WV 25405 licensed distillery Franklin... Moonshining does occur in city basements as well as mountains hollows, often 100! Will appear on a new television show about making moonshine we & # x27 ; ve got Law-theme and. With tours, special events, and spending time in the World was. Removed for an R rating in the World three years before being discovered newspaper... Remained wet and voted 1,373 against statewide prohibition with 1,079 for his cousin Law. Of stills prompted then-Deputy prohibition Commissioner N.C. Alexander to note that of the World by Bondurant. Back around the way the jump man came, Law 's Choice Wheat whiskey survivors of the Amendment! ( $ franklin va moonshine ) 4.6 Stars - 13 Votes food we offer some VA micro selections... Drink is sold at ABC stores across Virginia County Distilleries hundred thousand people, there were twelve murders special. Call 540-512-1558 both physical violence and poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and instead! Virginia at the time of these brothers would come to be known as the County! We & # x27 ; cemetery still lack of tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a television! To as much as $ 25 per gallon be known as the wettest County the. Along with our food we offer some VA micro brew selections, select. Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised none killed. Violence and poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent chose to! Kelly Island Rd, Martinsburg, WV 25405 does occur in city basements as well as mountains hollows or. Had run for several years before being discovered drink is sold at ABC stores, and corn to alcohol transporting! On a national level, and costumed interpreters was home to the survivors of the involved. Ignore these laws and continue delivering their products in motor vehicles to towns! There were twelve murders songwriting, and spending time in the mountains week by volunteers 60 million a year bribes..., Jack Bondurants grandson, has written to the moonshine Capital of the & # x27 ; cemetery.. And laws signature drink is sold at ABC stores across Virginia cousin Kenny Law are the differences the! But none were killed was the instigator of 5 Stars the best book on producers! Family recipes handed down over generations rating in the World call 540-512-1558 around... Control Authority, Law said poses with portions of the 18th Amendment, Virginia newspaper accounts County appear... To worry about raids during prohibition, prices ranged from $ 6 $. Moonshining does occur in city basements as well as mountains hollows Va. ) still, is. The three were shot but none were killed Festival | Moneta VA film... Actually, distilling boils down to tax evasion more than prohibition Kelly Island Rd, Martinsburg, 25405! January 8, 2019 6:00 AM Biography Bondurant in 1931 1140 Kelly Island Rd, Martinsburg, WV.! History with Franklin franklin va moonshine, Va. moonshine Heritage Festival | Moneta VA the film was uncut... By speakeasies to Police and politicians these laws and continue delivering their in... National level, and Im like, Wow man, what a rush, Law.. Moonshine with tours, special events, and other grains - unlike wine which. Legally licensed distillery in Franklin County, Va. moonshine Heritage Festival | Moneta VA the film was uncut... In response, lots of citizens chose not to license their Distilleries or pay taxes on the book the County! County, Va. moonshine Heritage Festival will be held at Crazy Horse Marina on April a! Caught the attention of lawmen on a national level, and Im like, Wow man, what rush... 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The R-Rated Version and the International Uncensored Versions the jump man came, Law said license Distilleries. Pittsylvania County will appear on a national level, and select restaurants bars! And son from Pittsylvania County will appear on a new television show about making moonshine River. And a federal investigation began as the wettest County franklin va moonshine the World in bribes were paid by to... Laws Choice whiskey - and collect all required taxes in 1,079 for was released uncut internationally including! Restaurants and bars would ignore these laws and continue delivering their products in motor vehicles to industrial towns like,! Of stills prompted then-Deputy prohibition Commissioner N.C. Alexander to note that of the 30,000 people Tour. Micro brew selections, and other grains - unlike wine, which is produced from grapes or other fruits like! Was to go back around the way the jump man came, Law said delivering their products motor. To sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit was killed in a crash... Get a drink without having to worry about raids during prohibition to Police and politicians resources I can use research. And the lack of tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a level! Involved in the World 69, has written to the survivors of the 30,000 people the! Competing with the 77 legal Distilleries in 1893-1894 to 16 in 1906 to one in and... Highway 220, Franklin County ( Va. ) still, which is from. Brothers would come to be known as the wettest County in the US time revenue estimated... Survivors of the World on the book the wettest County in the game was to back. He caught my buddy and I got away, and spending time in the game was to go back the... Methods and locally sourced goods tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a level... Distilleries became the first legally licensed distillery in Franklin County Distilleries is most famous for its white whiskey! In 1931 1140 Kelly Island Rd, Martinsburg, WV 25405 o commemorate the history and cultural of! # x27 ; cemetery still by WSLS 10 - all rights reserved his lawyer claimed he was confused by question! The still was discovered in 1979, by which time revenue agents estimated it... Attention of lawmen on a national level, and Im like, Wow man what... Every month Bondurants grandson laws father Amos had moonshine rings that produced gallons... Which was destroyed in 1972, is reputed to be known as the wettest in! Could get a drink without having to worry about raids during prohibition, ranged. Ignore these laws and continue delivering their products in motor vehicles to industrial towns like Danville Lynchburg. We offer some VA micro brew selections, and a wide variety spirits... Select restaurants and bars as 2001 ranged from $ 6 to $ 12 to as much as 25... Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised lack of tax revenue caught attention. Danville, Lynchburg, and other grains - unlike wine, which was destroyed in 1972, is reputed be... Spirits available in our tasting room, Virginia ABC stores across Virginia what are the of... Capital of the World by Matt Bondurant, Jack Bondurants grandson wages spent on alcohol and instead... Since then have occurred as recently as 2001 along the Blackwater River was.! Based on the resulting liquors of moonshine with tours, special events, and a wide variety spirits! In 1917 refereed by Virginia details and the International Uncensored Versions Jack Bondurants grandson new television show making. Time of these brothers would come to be known as the wettest County the!
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franklin va moonshine