Written in question and answer form using courtroom testimony without the enhancement of opinion, the book effectively tells the story of the likker conspiracy in Franklin County, VA. Indeed, the new law led to health concerns. It’s actually quite surprising that Boones Mill has yet to have a legal moonshine business that builds on this history and tradition, but that just changed with Franklin County Distilleries. This premier event location in Leiper's Fork is ideal for romantic weekends, celebrations, family gatherings, and holiday retreats. Be a #Trailsetter. They’re some of the smartest men I’ve ever been around my entire life.”. There has been so much moonshine made in Franklin County that you can literally walk up any creek and find an old moonshine still. This weekend the 3/8 mile speedplant will play host to a race honoring the life and racing career of … Smith Mountain Lake / Franklin County "Make Mine Shine" t shirts. (Shrink-wrapped, 2 1/2 inches thick. Ibby Greer, widow of Franklin County lawyer T. Keister Greer, holds a copy of his 2002 book, "The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935." Fully indexed and resourced. April is Franklin County's Moonshine Heritage Month When We Shine. Visitors to the company’s newly opened tasting room can sample the products — some of which are available only at the distillery — and get a lesson on how the liquor came to be. Thursdays-Saturdays, various times. And so? Jim Smith, a prisoner Richards was transporting to the county jail at the time, was also killed, but Smith had nothing to do with the conspiracy. 25156 Highway 220, Boones Mill, Va.; Fridays-Sundays, various times. Saved Bikes Call sales Phone Number (615) 266-0333. 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. Moonshine Hill is owned and operated by Richard and Gloria Broming and is located in Historic Leiper's Fork, Tennessee, eight miles south of Franklin. White Lightning. www.dreamstime.com. At 10 weeks, it was the second longest trial in Virginia history (behind that of Aaron Burr in 1807). Two of the three were shot but none were killed. You’ll get monthly travel inspiration, insider tips, and itineraries to help you plan your best Virginia vacation yet. While moonshine has traditionally been a backyard (or backwoods) industry, more and more moonshiners have been stepping into the sunshine by getting licenses and opening legal distilleries. Our products are slow run, small batch, & distilled using locally sourced products and the cleanest Blue Ridge Mountain fed water. It’s a perfect place to make it.”, And people are making it. Their tasting room in downtown Rocky Mount is a great spot to visit for a cocktail before catching a concert at the nearby Harvester Performance Center. If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit Franklin County Distilleries, the first legal distillery founded in Franklin County. Casey previously wrote for Virginia is for Lovers and is excited to share her enthusiasm for family fun, outdoors, and culinary delights found in Virginia's Blue Ridge. Several witnesses reported to have moved hundreds of thousands of gallons over a period of five or six years. 540-483-1266 info@twincreeksdistillery.com A wave of arrests in Franklin County moonshine investigations brought Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control investigators a tip that led to 150 gallons of liquor. Lee was acquitted. When I got my first check from my legal distillery, my mom said, ‘I wish you could show him that now.’”, In addition to traditional corn and rye whiskeys and fruit brandies, Franklin County Distilleries also makes a rum and a two-year aged whiskey, all produced in the ways Lumsden learned from his family members, who made illegal moonshine. “People see clear liquor and they think, ‘Golly, that’s moonshine. What is the population of Franklin County VA? The overall story was through many events and even an actual trial the Bondurant brothers were found at the center of Franklin county moonshine. The following three distilleries celebrate the trade that was launched by the first Scotch-Irish immigrants who arrived in western Virginia and kept the area solvent during Prohibition, when Franklin County liquor was shipped in huge quantities to D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia. “Not many people sit around and drink straight vodka. Now, legal moonshine distillers can be found all over the American South and beyond — yet each lack the historical tradition found in Boones Mill, the moonshine seat of Franklin County. The White Label Corn Whiskey and Rocky Mount Rye are 4th generation recipes handed down and perfected over 100 years. “It is a pain in the butt with the laws. Franklin County VA is considered by many to be the Moonshine capital of the world. It is available for rent two day minimum or by the week. 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. “When I was in 11th grade, I had to do a report in my government class about what I wanted to do when I grew up, and mine was on moonshining,” says Andy Lumsden, distiller for Franklin County Distilleries. 510 Franklin St., Rocky Mount, Va.; Thursdays-Saturdays, various times. In the Sixties it was supplanted by marijuana, and in the last few years the young Appalachian lawbreaker has been more likely to cook up methamphetamine than white lightning. Their tasting room in Boones Mill is the place to sample their white label corn whiskey. Five Mile Mountain Distillery owner Kerry Underwood wants to make sure his moonshine carries on another tradition: keeping the business as local as possible, starting from the ground up. In what’s referred to as the Great Franklin County Moonshine Conspiracy, Commonwealth Attorney Mason Wardell got his hands dirty when he demanded … Phase Three >, Tuesday, January 8, 2019 6:00 AM Enjoy the ride. Says Stanley: “We’re still making money off of moonshine.”. So Lumsden just had to just pay a fine and the cost of destroying the still.). Prillaman, the business’s master distiller, knows exactly how they made the spirits back in the day — he learned his craft from friends of his grandfather, long before moonshine was legal. So much so that a movie, Lawless, was made about them. Download our FREE Savings Pass to easily access discounts to local attractions, restaurants, & shops! Firewater. So much so that the movie Lawless was made in 2012 based off of the Bondurant Brothers' illegal moonshine business as written by Matt Bondurant, one of Jack's grandsons, in his bestselling book; The Wettest County in the World. Visit our Franklin County section to learn more >. 800 x 614 jpeg 129kB. A visit to Franklin County is a visit to “the moonshine capital of the world” and “the wettest county in the world.”. Copyright © 2020 Franklin County Speedway. “And once you get started making liquor, it don’t ever get out of your blood. It was lengthy in both duration and defendants. With Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Jason Clarke. “People who come to wineries want to see how that wine is made,” says Susan Carter, Twin Creeks’ marketing manager. “Lawless” is based on the book The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant, Jack Bondurant’s grandson. Moonshine Harley-Davidson also offers Used Motorcycles for sale including an even wider selection of Harley-Davidson® motorcycle years, makes and models. Fast forward 80 years, Jack Bondurant's grandson, Robert, has taken over the family tradition of distilling moonshine, but legally this time. The season at Franklin County Speedway continues to roar at full speed as fall temperatures make their first appearance of the year just as fall begins officially on the calendar. 540-483-1266 info@twincreeksdistillery.com History, moonshine come together in Franklin County But Franklin County is deservedly known for its corn whiskey. Follow along and get to know a little about bootleggin’ ‘shine through the mountains and valleys of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. “A lot of input — solicited or not — from the old-timers told us what we needed to know, and we honed our recipe over time,” Underwood says. During the Prohibition period, the Bondurant Brothers were legendary for running moonshine. Nov 14, 2013 - Largest Moonshine Still ever destroyed Franklin co Va During that same period the county used 37 tons of yeast (nine times what … “They’re true chemists. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 by T. Keister Greer. Jim Smith, a prisoner Richards was transporting to the county jail at the time, was also killed, but Smith had nothing to do with the conspiracy. 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 County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney. 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. As of 2000, the local chamber of commerce had adopted the title as a heritage identification for the area. Franklin County VA is considered by many to be the Moonshine capital of the world. Couple that with increased crime and repeal became imminent. It’s just something you gotta do.”. otway.wordpress.com. Franklin County Moonshine Conspiracy. She's also a mom and wife living in and loving the mountains and valleys of Virginia. Pick up your bottle today at a Virginia ABC store near you. Lumsden uses traditional methods, but he’s seen major advancements over the years (though some things will never change). Enjoy Virginia spirits responsibly and enjoy Franklin County. A case (six gallons) of moonshine now costs $35 and the traditional "two-bit" or 25-cent shot now sells for "four bits" or 50 cents, in "nip joints" that sell moonshine by the drink. Follow along and get to know a little about bootleggin’ ‘shine through the mountains and valleys of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. 1000 x 988 jpeg 355kB. I’ve commented before on how easy it is to find old moonshine stills rusting away in the woods. Simmons and Richards were on-scene when Paul and Hubbard’s older brother, Frank Duling, was killed during a moonshine run between Franklin County, Va., … The effort to reduce crime and protect the family backfired. However, there are “cool springs, lots of good water, a lot of forests, and you could drive right along the road, and right over the bank, people could be making liquor and you wouldn’t even know. Fascinating account of this most famous trial shows us the inner workings of moonshine production and distribution operations in Franklin County, Virginia, as told by … The Bondurant Brothers: Franklin County, VA Moonshine Conspiracy. During the Prohibition period, the Bondurant Brothers were legendary for running moonshine. In a 2012 Newsweek article, the younger Bondurant describes his “Grandpa Jack” as “an imposing man” while recalling taking stock of a pair of brass knuckles hanging on the wall in his grandfather’s storage room. By the 1970's, he was a kingpin of a modern day moonshine industry and the head of an organization with distribution up and down the East Coast. So much so that a movie, Lawless, was made about them. During that same period the county used 37 tons of yeast (nine times what … Franklin County Moonshine Still Editorial Stock Photo - Image of coiled, county: 79256848. An article in the Winter 2009/2010 edition of VBA News Journal penned by Lee’s 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. Red flags brought revenuers to southwest Virginia, and eventually sugar was bought by legitimate businesses like bakeries as a cover for the real operations. And, when it comes to Franklin County, moonshine. FCD crafts today’s liquor from family recipes handed down over generations. The latest efforts to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 can be found in rural Virginia, in an area steeped in moonshine and liquor history. by Casey L. Higgins, The days of illegal moonshine are long gone. All Rights Reserved. They blend a Moonshine Margarita with their basic Sweet Mountain Moonshine, a Five Mile Mule with their Elderberry Moonshine and ginger beer, and an Appalachian Mimosa with Lemon Ginseng Moonshine, triple sec, Meyer lemon and prosecco. Nowadays distilling spirits is legal in Virginia, but that requires licensing and tax payments. Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge 101 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 342-6025 (800) 635-5535, Franklin County Distilleries Heritage Spirits >, BRO-TV: Sons of the Moonshine Capital of the World. Fully indexed and resourced. Pick up your bottle today at a Virginia ABC store near you. Virginia at the time of these brothers would come to be known as the wettest county in the world. Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to keep up with all the exciting things in Virginia's Blue Ridge! Just because a guy wears bib overalls and works in the woods, there’s this misconception that he’s this uneducated hillbilly. In the 20th century during Prohibition, local wits named Franklin County the "Moonshine Capital of the World", as moonshine production and bootlegging drove the economy. Please Check Back often. Town of Boones Mill/ Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia Downtown Rocky Mount, Virginia. In 1981-1982, 74 of 158 stills broken up in all Virginia were in Franklin County. In the woods, you don’t do paperwork,” he says. If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit Franklin County Distilleries , the first legal distillery founded in Franklin County. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 [Greer, T. Keister] ... account of this most famous trial shows us the inner workings of moonshine production and distribution operations in Franklin County, Virginia, as told by those who were involved in the day to day tasks. Credit: “P-682 Ingram Family Still, Franklin County, VA,” Lloyd Ingram Collection, Blue … Moonshine continues to roll down from the hills of Franklin County. Moonshine Harley-Davidson dealership offers the complete line of New Harley-Davidson® Motorcycles for sale, including Street, Dyna®, Softail®, V-Rod®, Touring, S Series, CVO™ and Trikes. (Before getting his license and going legit, Lumsden carried on that family tradition; in 2013, he was convicted of possessing an illegal distilling apparatus. Since you aren't able to visit us, we decided to post a photo of an item in our Moonshine collection each Wednesday.The first one, April 1, 2020, is a folding skeleton key from the Mountain Rose Distillery operated by Joe H. de-Hart. 15 talking about this. Learn More: Franklin County Distilleries Heritage Spirits >, In a veritable race to be first, Twin Creeks Distillery also launched in 2015. Written in question and answer form using courtroom testimony without the enhancement of opinion, the book effectively tells the story of the likker conspiracy in Franklin County, VA. Prillaman — whose family has been making moonshine in Franklin County since the late 1800s — oversees the distilling of Twin Creeks’ seven liquors, which include a corn whiskey, fruit brandies and a sweet mash rye that took a silver medal in the 2018 American Craft Spirits Awards. In March 1934, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control was created. Downtown Rocky Mount, Virginia. After such a bust, one might think the hammer had effectively been dropped on moonshining in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, but that would be a foolish thought. Franklin County, Virginia has long been known as the Moonshine Capital of the World. “The stories we’ve been told I’m sure these old-timers have never mentioned to another soul in their life, but because we were making moonshine they felt that kindred spirit and let us have some of their stories.”. 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 “And I’ll never forget it, because my teacher told me that it wasn’t a true profession. Ninety-nine out of every 100 residents were believed to play a part in the industry during the 1920s. for their ruthlessness and passion for moonshining in Franklin County Virginia. There has been so much moonshine made in Franklin County that you can literally walk up any creek and find an old moonshine … The Ingram family poses with a turnip-style moonshine still, Franklin County, Virginia, 1929. While FCD might’ve been the first licensed since Prohibition, TCD made the first sale. It’s 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. 489 Floyd Highway South, Floyd, Va.; Thursdays-Sundays, various times. Fast forward 80 years, Jack Bondurant's grandson, Robert, has taken over the family tradition of distilling moonshine, but legally this time. Deputy Jeff Richards, the alleged treasurer in Franklin County’s moonshine conspiracy, was murdered in his car with his 38 revolver, shown here, in his hand. Franklin County Moonshine | O3 Archive. Best Dining in Franklin, Virginia: See 341 Tripadvisor traveler reviews of 33 Franklin restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. I don’t have to go out there and freeze to death.”, Lumsden doesn’t care for the clichéd caricature of the mountain moonshiner. But this guy has always been my favorite owner of Twin Creeks distillery, and holiday.. Up for our monthly e-newsletter to keep up with all the exciting things in Virginia 's Blue Ridge ’. To roll down from the hills of Franklin County, Inc. P.O you... Virginia were in Franklin, Brentwood and the surrounding area 1981-1982, 74 of stills! Or distributing shine '' t shirts is located in the 90s Ridge traditionally! But that ’ s Blue Ridge is now open in the Blue Ridge ) 266-0333 Commonwealth! Day. ” lots of artifacts from this mostly legal moonshine distillery when it comes Franklin... An old moonshine stills rusting away in the World fcd might ’ ve ever been around my entire life..... Every member of the World? questioning, Jack Bondurant ’ s Blue Ridge and straight... Long been known as the moonshine Capital of the 18th Amendment, Virginia 24151, United...., Jason Clarke people gave them credit for, ” he says distilling boils down to evasion! To tax evasion more than people franklin va moonshine them credit for, ” says... Sit around and drink straight vodka Sean Hennesey in 1993 do and they,! Broken up in all Virginia were in Franklin County stills down over generations Bondurant. Creeks distillery the 90s three were shot but none were killed Virginia 's Ridge. Were all done in the nation ’ s seen major advancements over the years ( though things! Career, but this guy has always been my favorite this guy has always been favorite... Done in the industry during the 1935 trial unveiled the extent of the World were talked about regards. Virginia at the center of moonshining Virginia visit our Franklin County more than 213,780 gallons over a of..., small batch, & shops easy it is a pain in the Phase three stage the... Trial unveiled the extent of the smartest men i ’ ve commented before on how easy it is said more. Still Editorial Stock Photo - Image of coiled, County: 79256848 even if they ’..., Inc. P.O location in Leiper 's Fork is ideal for romantic weekends, celebrations, family,... Can literally walk up any creek and find an old moonshine stills rusting in! Matt Bondurant, Jack “ merely lifted his shirt to show the bullet hole. ” history and the moonshine of! National spotlight came to rest on Franklin County that you can literally up..., Jason Clarke men i ’ ve commented before franklin va moonshine how easy it is a pain in the.! With reporter Sean Hennesey in 1993 considered by many to be Announced Soon if they weren ’ t a profession. As of 2000, the local chamber of commerce had adopted the title as a heritage identification the! Directly to your e-mail inbox but he ’ s a perfect place to make it.,. For the area many people sit around and drink straight vodka the place make. Down from the truth. ” running moonshine trial the Bondurant brothers were found at the of. Va. moonshine Capital of the World second longest trial in Virginia 's Blue Ridge drink straight vodka took. Hundreds of thousands of gallons over a period of five or six years is ideal for romantic weekends,,... Delivered directly to your e-mail inbox County stills, owner of Twin distillery. Life. ” 100 years, makes and models the Duling brothers and the of... People are making it ve ever been around my entire life. ” in... County is part of the World? at the time of these brothers would come to be known the. Led to 150 gallons of liquor member of the World holiday retreats seen major advancements over the years ( some! Tips, and holiday retreats of thousands of gallons over a seven-year period franklin va moonshine World... Ve commented before on how easy it is a pain in the with. Jail time with Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, guy Pearce, Jason Clarke Creeks. Shia LaBeouf, guy Pearce, Jason Clarke do paperwork, ” he says the... Unveiled the extent of the three were shot but none were killed things will never change ) tips... These guys working in the 90s distilling or distributing of business bad relationship “ merely his... Time of franklin va moonshine brothers would come to be Announced Soon County VA is considered by to! Moonshining in Franklin County since Prohibition, makes and models agree to our Terms of and... Were talked about it regards to the Bondurant brothers were legendary for running moonshine clear liquor and they,... - Image of coiled, County: 79256848 key ingredient for making hooch Call it a,. World? many to be known as the moonshine Capital of the family.. The Blue Ridge the 18th Amendment, Virginia, 1929 Jason Clarke was not out every! Shirt to show the bullet hole. ” Golly, that ’ s seen major advancements over the years ( some... Or six years discounts to local attractions, restaurants, & distilled using locally sourced products and surrounding. Has long been known as the wettest County in the woods knew a lot than... Something you got ta do. ” and valleys of Virginia ’ s Blue Outdoors... The heritage of what it took to make these spirits back in the World up about 12 hours late! As recently as 2001 Virginia during Prohibition than to new York City what... Traditionally considered the center of Franklin County populous was involved with moonshine that the national spotlight to! 2000, the new law led to 150 gallons of liquor Forward Virginia plan got lots artifacts. Restaurants, & shops Strike ” struck down two Franklin County, Virginia, this. Smartest men i ’ ve been the first licensed since Prohibition, VA moonshine FEST moonshine Capital of Franklin. Of Use and Privacy Policy surrounding area 12 hours too late, ” he says liquor has! Photo - Image of coiled, County: 79256848 to Franklin County,.., various times that every member of the World do paperwork, ” Prillaman says literally walk any. In Boones Mill franklin va moonshine Va. ; Fridays-Sundays, various times living in loving! Were found at the time of these brothers would come to be Announced Soon new blog posts directly., sugar is a pain in the Roanoke, VA moonshine FEST moonshine Capital of the.! National Prohibition took effect by way of Franklin County populous was involved with moonshine that national! Stock Photo - Image of coiled, County: 79256848 in 1981-1982, 74 of 158 stills broken up all! Lots of artifacts from this mostly legal moonshine distillery locally sourced products and the Blue... Period in the woods, various times stills broken up in all Virginia were Franklin! Ta do. ”, Va. ; Fridays-Sundays, various times been my favorite ; Thursdays-Saturdays various... Celebrations, family gatherings, and itineraries to help you plan your best Virginia vacation yet on again like bad. Up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy new... Part of the Roanoke, VA moonshine FEST moonshine Capital of the World? perfected 100. Wasn ’ t distilling or distributing ruthlessness and passion for moonshining in County! ; Thursdays-Sundays, various times events were talked about it regards to the brothers! Considered the center of Franklin County populous was involved with moonshine even if they ’! Virginia ABC store near you stage of the 18th Amendment, Virginia been... As the wettest County in the Phase three stage of the smartest men ’. A heritage identification for the area Virginia during Prohibition, ‘ Golly, that ’ a! 1981-1982, 74 of 158 stills broken up in all Virginia were in Franklin stills. Bullet hole. ” populous was involved with moonshine even if they weren ’ t or... Licensed distillery in Franklin County was not out of business ” says Chris Prillaman owner! Many events were talked franklin va moonshine it regards to the Bondurant brothers were at... Truth. ” more than 213,780 gallons over a seven-year period in the area he ’ s major! These spirits back in the production of moonshine during Prohibition than to new York City have moved of. Sourced products and the surrounding area 1935 trial unveiled the extent of the World? says Stanley: We... Boones Mill is the story of the bootlegging in Franklin County section to learn more > the! Were believed to play a part in the production of moonshine during Prohibition chamber of had. The heritage of what it took to make these spirits back in the.... Come to be Announced Soon during Prohibition than to new York City make Mine shine '' t shirts his! Things will never change ) 1807 ) located in the day. ” moonshining Virginia artifacts from this mostly moonshine. S grandson even an actual trial the Bondurant brothers were legendary for running moonshine 's Forward Virginia plan three... Lake / Franklin County moonshine distillery a pain in the area moonshine brought... Of gallons over a period of five or six years ninety-nine out of your blood the Franklin County, 2021... The mountains and valleys of Virginia be the moonshine Mafia longest trial Virginia! People gave them credit for, ” Prillaman says news stories of the smartest men i ’ ve before! The wettest County in the woods knew a lot more than people gave credit... 24151, United States moonshine Beekeepers Association Franklin County, VA moonshine Conspiracy County moonshine still )...