Rocky Mount, Virginia – Earlier last month, the global credit rating agencies of Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poors each issued and reaffirmed Franklin County’s very strong credit ratings. Cause there's nothing here but cows, farms, and good ole moonshine! We've got lots of artifacts from this mostly legal moonshine distillery. All spirits available in our tasting room, Virginia ABC stores, and select restaurants and bars. In the 1990s, the retired lawyer Keister Greer led a thorough investigation to understand where those might have gone.[5]. Single-batch, pot-distilled spirits made from cane and grain. 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 … ABC special agents with assistance from Franklin County Sheriff’s Office discover and destroy illegal still in Franklin County. All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2020 Franklin County Speedway. The Roanoke River forms its northeast boundary with Bedford County. Celebrate the centennial of prohibition & Moonshine Heritage Month in Franklin County, Virginia's "Moonshine Capital." A page turner! 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. QSL cards will be sent to all confirmed QSL cards received with a SASE. over the state of Virginia and were some of the best at it. In this 1979 photograph, Morris Stephenson poses with portions of the 'cemetery still' moonshine operation discovered in Franklin County that featured 18 800-gallon submarine type stills. Moonshine Beekeepers Association Franklin County, Virginia Franklin County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. Rocky Mount man is expected to be charged with felony manufacture of illegal alcohol. Credit: “P-682 Ingram Family Still, Franklin County, VA,” Lloyd Ingram Collection, Blue Ridge Institute and Museum at Ferrum College. A Virginia distillery located in the Moonshine Capital of the World. It’s early morning, and the drivers hope not to meet anyone on their way. 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. Virginia at the time of these brothers would come to be known as the wettest county in the world. The conspiracy trial helped name Franklin County, Virginia the Moonshine Capital of the World and would capture national attention for years to come, even today. G.T. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 resulted in the indictment of 80 people involved in the illegal production and distribution of moonshine whisky in Virginia. 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. Here are the Top Reasons… 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 . Franklin County Tourism was named the 2019 Initiative of the Year Award by the Blue Ridge Travel Association for its Virginia is for Moonshine Lovers project. In Franklin County, known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World,” just saying the name Amos Law can get you pretty far in the moonshine business, Henry said. 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 Moonshining is concentrated in the mountains for several reasons, but primarily because there's a centuries-old tradition of converting corn crops into whiskey to … This weekend the 3/8 mile speedplant will play host to a race honoring the life and racing career of one of it’s most prominent drivers, […] “Mr. [1], In the 1950s, the court files and official trial transcripts mysteriously disappeared. Franklin County, Virginia DEEP in the mountains of rural south-western Virginia, entrepreneurship has often come in the form of strong moonshine whiskey, produced in … 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. These 3 men bootlegged gallons and gallons of moonshine all. Seven cases of moonshine were found in the vehicle. Shop. Franklin County Virginia has been called the Moonshine Capital of the World. These brothers were known. Franklin County in the Blue Ridge is traditionally considered the center of moonshining Virginia. Open in new tab Download slide. [3] In fact, many of the Government's witnesses likely had ulterior motives in testifying for the prosecution because they had been previously convicted by the efforts of some of the defendants. Join if you live here or wish you lived here! Robert Bondurant, grandson of Franklin County's most famous moonshiner, is reviving the family legacy of making moonshine in Bondurant Brothers Distillery. Youth. A visit to Franklin County is a visit to “the moonshine capital of the world” and “the wettest county in the world.”. A production by Don Bull, Smith Mountain Lake. 15 talking about this. But the headstones were fakes, the flowers were artificial, and state and federal agents say the only thing buried at the Franklin County cemetery turned out to , be a moonshine still. Franklin County Virginia has been called the Moonshine Capital of the World. We've got lots of books! For over 100 years, the local residents of Franklin County have been cranking out moonshine on an industrial scale. There has been so much moonshine made in Franklin County that you can literally walk up any creek and find an old moonshine still. Franklin County is a county located in the Blue Ridge foothills of the U.S. state of Virginia.As of the 2010 census, the population was 56,159. Posing as a small-scale moonshine buyer, Bailey went undercover in Franklin County beginning in 1934. Email Address Submit. After an examination of the evidence, County Commonwealth's Attorney and grand-nephew of Robert E. Lee, Charles Carter Lee, along with two others, were acquitted with the other 30 defendants found guilty. Four trucks careen across the hills and hollows of Franklin County, Virginia. Our products are slow run, small batch, & distilled using locally sourced products and the cleanest Blue Ridge Mountain fed water. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 resulted in the indictment of 80 people involved in the illegal production and distribution of moonshine whisky in Virginia. After roughly a year, Bailey was allegedly able to uncover a complex system driven by bribery and extortion, in which distillers would supposedly pay local sheriffs for protection from federal law enforcement agencies. If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit Franklin County Distilleries, the first legal distillery founded in Franklin County. Specifically, we care about Virginia history, and that’s how we show our Virginia spirit. The White Label Corn Whiskey and Rocky Mount Rye are 4th generation recipes handed down and perfected over 100 years. Read on... Funds Available for Workforce Training for Unemployed Virginians . He set out to make the distillery a living history lesson, like stepping back in time. The Franklin County Conspiracy. The alleged conspiracy was uncovered by federal agent Colonel Thomas Bailey, who after distinguishing himself as a hero in World War I, became an undercover agent for the federal government. Rocky Mount, Virginia – Earlier last month, the global credit rating agencies of Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poors each issued and reaffirmed Franklin County’s very strong credit ratings. Quote from a Franklin County, Virginia resident Recent Posts. Note that every member of the family assisted in the production of moonshine during Prohibition. Moonshine Capital of the World - Franklin County, Va T-Shirt Price: $19.99 & FREE Returns Return this item for free. 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. Plus exclusive offers, deals, packages and more! Plus exclusive offers, deals, packages and more! 15 talking about this. This weekend the 3/8 mile speedplant will play host to a race honoring the life and racing career of … [Read the Rest...] Philpott Lake Ranger Talks - Moonshine. Please Check Back often. I’ve commented before on how easy it is to find old moonshine stills rusting away in the woods. Moonshine. Amos was a local legend. Franklin County, Virginia has long been known as the Moonshine Capital of the World. The county was established on April 30, 1803, less than two months after Ohio became a state, and was named after Benjamin Franklin. A History of Moonshine Production in Franklin County, VA. History, Quality and Tradition in the Moonshine Capital of the World . A Brief History of the Village of Ferrum, Virginia by Karl Edwards; Moonshine theme books - even some rare collectibles - and a brand new one begun in February and just published.. Franklin County is part of the Roanoke, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located in the Roanoke Region of Virginia. Evidence gathered for the Franklin County moonshine conspiracy trial of 1935 showed that from 1930 to 1935 more than 1,000,000 five-gallon whiskey storage cans were sold in the county. The largest moonshine busts in the nation’s history were all done in the area. Based on the book, "The Wettest County in the World," author Matt Bondurant spins a tale of his grandfather and grand-uncles, who are bootleggers in Franklin County, Virginia during Prohibition. Franklin County, Virginia has been called the Moonshine Capital of the World. “Yes sir, that was a good one,” said Jim Hunt, agent in charge of the Roanoke office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. for their ruthlessness and passion for moonshining in Franklin County Virginia. After a grueling two-month trial, the verdict was finally made public on July 1, 1935. Shop. Figure 1. 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. Whiskey 4 Moonshine-W4M Special Event Station for Moonshine Heritage Month in Franklin County, Virginia. Greetings from Trump's America: Franklin County, Virginia, moonshine capital of the world U.S. Cracks Down on Rise In Appalachia Moonshine. 15 talking about this. Amos … What is Franklin County? In truth, however, the Governor of Virginia had directed law enforcement to take fines from whiskey makers wherever possible in order to relieve congestion in both the courts and jails in the Commonwealth. We invite you to taste history with Franklin County Distilleries’ White Label Corn Whiskey, available on Virginia ABC shelves, and featured at FDC’s new Tasting Room in Boones Mill, VA. Homegrown in the Moonshine Capital of America, Franklin County, VA, FDC’s White Label Corn Whiskey builds on the brand that bootleggers built, and offers a true taste of history in every bottle. Virginia ABC Special Agents Seize and Destroy Moonshine Still in Franklin County; Illegal Operation Suspected of Selling to Underage Customers. There’s always more to LOVE in Virginia. Virginia's Authentic Distillery Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and in the heart of Franklin County, Virginia. This distillery family prides in their deep rooted history. Moonshining is concentrated in the mountains for several reasons, but primarily because there's a centuries-old tradition of converting corn crops into whiskey to … Our products are slow run, small batch, & distilled using locally sourced products and the cleanest Blue Ridge Mountain fed water. Events Franklin County Moonshine Festival ... You’ll get monthly travel inspiration, insider tips, and itineraries to help you plan your best Virginia vacation yet. Women. Henry Law, the owner and operator of Law's Choice, is a third-generation moonshiner and master distiller from rural Franklin County, Virginia. “Yes sir, that was a good one,” said Jim Hunt, agent in charge of the Roanoke office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. 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 Ingram family poses with a turnip-style moonshine still, Franklin County, Virginia, 1929. F CD's recipes are birthed & bottled in the Moonshine Capital of America; Franklin County Virginia. Prohibition (Franklin County Virginia) Bondurant brothers are usually a name that comes up. Moonshine Beekeepers Association Franklin County, Virginia You can return this item for any reason: no shipping charges. They are best known for the Great Franklin County Moonshine Conspiracy. Read the full returns policy How to return this item: Fit Type: Men Men. Amos was a local legend. 2021 Schedule Schedule To Be Announced Soon. Craft liquor is the newest horizon in the craft beverage industry. The Franklin County Conspiracy. Franklin County Virginia Moonshine. Follow along and get to know a little about bootleggin’ ‘shine through the mountains and valleys of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Sign up for Virginia is for Lovers Emails now! Its county seat is Rocky Mount. A Brief History of the Village of Ferrum, Virginia by Karl Edwards; Moonshine theme books - even some rare collectibles - and a brand new one begun in February and just published.. In Franklin County, known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World,” just saying the name Amos Law can get you pretty far in the moonshine business, Henry said. Can u make moonshine legally? [2] Bailey's case took roughly two years to build, and charged the defendants with 68 separate counts of illegal activity related to the production of untaxed moonshine whisky. Email Address Submit. We've got lots of books! What better setting to experience it in than Franklin County, VA, with its unique and colorful chapters in the annals of moonshine. county in the world. In 1952, sixteen-year-old Amos Law began his career as a moonshiner in Franklin County Virginia, better known as the Moonshine Capital of the World. This is not fiction. Need further convincing? Franklin County, Virginia, circa 1970s. Franklin County Moonshine Stills . Virginia State Route 122 is a road full of history and beauty. 28 February 2012. The jars are filled with what people in the north – and only there – call moonshine. 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. Events Franklin County Moonshine Festival ... You’ll get monthly travel inspiration, insider tips, and itineraries to help you plan your best Virginia vacation yet. F CD's recipes are birthed & bottled in the Moonshine Capital of America; Franklin County Virginia. William B. Hopkins, Another View of the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935, VBA News Journal, p. 20 (Winter 2009/2010). By the 1970's, he was a kingpin of a modern day moonshine industry and the head of an organization with distribution up … The case is the second longest in Virginia’s history and eventually resulted in 20 convictions, including several officers of the law and government officials.[1]. This fully-indexed 231-page book features photos recalling the service of 422 of the more than 2,000 known Franklin County men who served in the Confederate military. There has been so much moonshine made in Franklin County that you can literally walk up any creek and find an old moonshine still. "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=987682862, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 8 November 2020, at 16:29. But the headstones were fakes, the flowers were artificial, and state and federal agents say the only thing buried at the Franklin County cemetery turned out to , be a moonshine still. 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 those who were involved in the day to day tasks. Federal Distillation Laws. At the time, Franklin County was believed to produce the highest volume of illegal liquor in the U.S., colloquially referred to as "the moonshine capital of the world."