It is said that more sugar was delivered to Boones Mill, Virginia during Prohibition than to New York City. In May of 1958, two moonshiners by the names of Luthor Adkins, and his nephew Kermit Adkins were arrested for illegally distilling and distributing moonshine. 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." Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to keep up with all the exciting things in Virginia's Blue Ridge! Portrayed in the movie Lawless starring Shia LaBeouf as Jack Bondurant, the Bondurant Boys were Franklin County rumrunners in the 1930s. 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. By the 1930s folks were so intertwined with moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County. Let tournament representatives know at weigh-ins if a second bracket is desired. New Ferrum College president hopes to bring success to school and students, If county won't remove Confederate statue, Glenna Moore wants another statue to honor US Colored Troops, Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office ends affiliation with Reelz TV show 'On Patrol: Live', Stalemate postpones latest Franklin County solar farm vote, Train wreck readiness part of downtown Roanoke evacuation planning, 2 hospitalized in Missouri crash involving General Lee car from Dukes of Hazzard, Contaminant levels at Spring Hollow reservoir back up, water tests show, 4 charts that show where home sales are headed in Virginia, Community meeting set for proposed solar farm in Wirtz, Curtain falls on campaign with loss to No. 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. From there the activity spread all over the state, even spilling into North. Almost 85 years later, many people in Franklin County still have strong opinions on the case and the men who were charged. There has been so much moonshine made in Franklin County that you can literally walk up any creek and find an old moonshine still. These details and the lack of tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a national level, and a federal investigation began. Two-way radios had not yet been invented, so evading capture was still possible for moonshiners with fast vehicles who knew the winding country roads along their route. 1 talking about this. Copyright 2022 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. The decor and theme of Franklin County Distillery are all about the history of moonshine and the process of making it. Concessions are available for purchase all day. Shenandoah University is the host school. 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. We wrestled around for a few seconds. Please subscribe to keep reading. Also, the tournament will open up all information during sign-ups so wrestlers will know how many people are registered for their weight class and who wrestlers should be competing against. Thanks again Steve. Coaches need to make sure wrestlers are registered with the correct team. The winning team receives the Star City Classic trophy. Posing as a small-scale moonshine buyer, Bailey went undercover in Franklin County beginning in 1934. Casey L. Higgins is a writer, editor, content consultant, and social media strategist working in the realms of travel and small business. Some government officials in Franklin County accepted bribes to look the other way and protect bootleggers from other lawmen and moonshine distillers; even the Sheriff of Franklin was in on the racket, overseeing a complex bribery system for the biggest moonshine producers in the region. Indeed, the new law led to health concerns. Ingredients: 1 1/3 cups vanilla wafer crumbs 4 tablespoons softened butter cup sugar Directions: Blend crumbs, butter, and sugar. Born 2009-2010: 71 (pounds), 77, 83, 87, 92, 97,102, 106, 110, 114, 119, 125, 130, 136, 149, 165, 187, 250. For Virginia Citizen And Business Services Visit www.virginia.gov. VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC. And an air of mystery continues to surround the case, as part of the trial records disappeared from the Franklin County Courthouse files. In a way, early Virginia moonshiners were some of the first eco-friendly farmers in America! Moonshine continues to roll down from the hills of Franklin County. Buddy's BBQ Family Party Packs 2022 (pdf) Download. 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. In the early 20th century, law enforcement officials examined moonshining supplies at a still bust, believed to be in Franklin County. Food, History, Southern Virginia, Virginia Mountains / May 1, 2020 by Patricia Keppel / 4 Comments. 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. Despite being illegal to this day, moonshining remains a part of many Virginians family tree. Round . Im sure to protect the names of some very prominent people that were involved at the time. White lightning became the county's top cash crop, rolling down mountain roads each night in bootlegger caravans. 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. . If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. o commemorate the history and cultural aspects of moonshine with tours, special events, and costumed interpreters. FCD crafts todays liquor from family recipes handed down over generations. 0. Kaden Ryder came in 10th in the 600-meter run. The tournament director reserves the right to combine or alter divisions and weight classes. We invite you to taste local history with Franklin County Distilleries. Your email address will not be published. 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. The Library of Congress is a federal government institution that collects and organizes information. Logan McClung was Ferrums lone runner in the 400 meters. The Bondurant Boys were the subject of Lawless, a 2012 movie starring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, and other Hollywood A-listers. If you're looking for some family fun and adventure . 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. Now since the popularity of moonshine is rising, Law wants to make sure people know that moonshiners had to be very smart to build steel subs to make the drink. The film is about the violent conflict between three bootlegging brothers: Forrest (Hardy), Howard (Clarke), and Jack Bondurant (LaBeouf) and the ruthless lawman Charley Rakes (Pearce), who tries to shut down the brothers' Prohibition -era moonshine business after Forrest refuses to pay him off. Where did moonshiners drink in the 1950s? Franklin County (10-9, 5-2 Blue Ridge District) could only manufacture nine points after halftime. 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. Head to the. Tysen Gotshci and Clayton Stanford (Franklin County) ran the mile. The fundamental skills of the game are stressed at this clinic. . During one year of Prohibition more sugar was shipped by rail to Boones Mill and Franklin County than to New York City. Want to know more about Virginias lesser-known history? The government posited authorities received protection money from still operators, and that Commonwealths Attorney Charles Carter Lee was the instigator. 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. 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. Born 2013-2014: 49 (pounds), 53, 56, 59, 63, 67, 71, 77, 84, 93, 105, 120. Franklin County Crafted Spirits We use age-old distilling methods and locally sourced goods. 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. The clinic is limited to the first 40 youth ages 7-12 who register. 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. The movie and book both tell the tales of the Bondurant brothers and their bootlegging enterprise in Virginias mountains. It happened right at the border of Henry County, and the self-proclaimed Moonshine Capital of the world, Franklin County. Franklin County's Tucker Harvey tries to make a pass to a teammate while being guarded by William Fleming Jaron Walker (No. The Colonels' win is their second this season over the Eagles. For information, call Forbes, (540) 483-0221 or (540) 420-8372. He evidently went prison for a short period of time. They have a technique that ensures the alcohol doesnt get messed up. The Moonshine Capital of the World: Franklin County, Virginia. In North Carolina, the only method to legally create moonshine is to get a distillery authorization from the state government. They are best known for the [i] Great If there are six or fewer participants in a bracket, the tournament will use a round-robin bracket to help each wrestler get more matches. You have permission to edit this article. Learn More: Franklin County Distilleries Heritage Spirits >, In a veritable race to be first, Twin Creeks Distillery also launched in 2015. The Bondurant Boys were a notorious gang of roughnecks and moonshiners who ran liquor through Franklin County, Virginia, during Prohibition and in the years . Where does most of the moonshine come from? Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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.. Their tasting room in Boones Mill is the place to sample their white label corn whiskey. Online menu for Franklin County Distilleries in Boones Mill, VA - Order now! 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. The Eagles cut the difference to one point, 47-46, with 57 seconds left before the Colonels netted the game's final points with 31.4 seconds to go. [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. Franklin County hosts an annual. Your email address will not be published. Skilled bootleg drivers were known to use a bootleg turn, where they would spin the car into a 180-degree skid to shake pursuers. . 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.. Tickle works with Tim, who is widely considered to be the richest moonshiner in the world. 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. 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. DANVILLE - Westover Christian Academy outscored Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy, 38-24, in the second half en route to a 64-45 boys varsity basketball win Friday night at home. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. William Fleming's win is its seventh in a row, all in district play. Upon questioning, Jack merely lifted his shirt to show the bullet hole.. 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. by Eddie Dean April 11th, 1997 August 29th, 2020 . One such moonshiner in Franklin County bought an airplane so that his son could fly over their land and make sure their stills werent visible from above. 0. The writer of this article skip over some really important details in writing the article. Operation Lightning Strike struck down two Franklin County stills. 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. Weight classes formed using the Madison System. Huge thanks to Doug Minnix with help from Alan Messenger in collecting the information. 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. Thus in 1928, the "Moonshine Conspiracy," which eventually gave Franklin County national notoriety in 1935, was born. Instead of arresting tiny distillers, Baileys proposal attempted to protect them in return for damning information that may lead to the arrest of the conspiracys ringleaders. 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. Your email address will not be published. SALEMReigning NCAA Division III national champion and No. This Franklin County (Va.) still, which was destroyed in 1972, is reputed to be the largest one ever destroyed. The annual Kahila Moonshine Classic wrestling tournament is Saturday at Franklin County High Schools Samuel M. Hawkins-Central. Mississippi agents bust a large amount of moonshine in Hancock County. The Colonels would craft a 19-18 edge later in the period, but the Eagles would recover to take a 22-21 advantage at intermission. D7 G. That Franklin County moonshine's puttin' gray in my black hair. He fell into a bog and died from the toxic brew. 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. The 2012 movie Lawless is set in Franklin County and portrays similar corruption. Taking inspiration from Franklin County's moonshiner history, author and retired teacher, Brenda Strickland shares with WFXR news the inspiration for her new. One of them had produced more than 213,780 gallons over a seven-year period in the 90s. With the close of the 1800s, Americas stance against alcohol was gaining support. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 . In response, lots of citizens chose not to license their distilleries or pay taxes on the resulting liquors. 1 seed, A family wants its 132-year-old donation to the University of Richmond refunded, Family sues Loudoun County jail for $7M, claiming son was tortured, Bond denied for Ferrum man charged in death of two dogs he reported stolen, Hangman nooses found aboard Navy destroyer in Virginia, On 'emotional' day, female wrestlers finally get to compete for their own Virginia state title, Former Virginia basketball coach Terry Holland dies after battling Alzheimer's, Dedication of softball complex is March 25, Dan Snyder is under investigation over line of credit taken out by Commanders, Virginia coach Tony Bennett reflects on Terry Hollands passing, Thomas Dales Elise Davis wins the 185-pound state championship by fall (5:18) over Louisa Countys Taylor Waddy. Gymnasium. Authorities caught wind of their operation, finding it not far from the moonshiners own residence, where they were arrested on sight. We were the branch of the family that left. 117, 135, 160. Biography Bondurant in 1931 Looking to sample moonshine in other parts of Virginia? Franklin County is located in the southwest corner of Virginia and was dubbed the Moonshines Capital of the World after it was determined that 99 out of 100 residents were involved in the moonshine trade. 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. In the 1970s, twenty 800-gallon submarine stills were found in one . Firewater. But if you wanted something a little bit stronger, you winked at the waitress and you went in the back, Stanley said. There was a still mock-up, a souped-up 1951 Ford pick-up truck that had been used for running, lots of local newspaper articles from the past and Moonshine T-shirts that glowed in the dark. 5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on moonshine producers and runners in Franklin County. 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. The still was discovered in 1979, by which time revenue agents estimated that it had run for several years before being discovered. The Notorious Franklin County Moonshiner's. Follow Us Previous. Harris and Jack Haynie. Launching The Largest Outlaw Stilling Operation In Decades | Moonshiners, HUGE Moonshine Fire Burns Down House I Moonshiners, Moonshiners Make 150 Gallons Of Single Malt Tennessee Moonshine I Moonshiners, How To Create A Water Pump Using Only Gravity | Moonshiners, Moonshine Still Doesn't Work According To Plan | Moonshiners, Team Battle Leak To Save $3,000 Peach Brandy | Moonshiners, Expert Moonshiners Get A Major Introduction To Interesting Fruit | Moonshiners, Tickle And The Laws Are On The Hunt To Find New Ground With A Storied Past | Moonshiners, This Risky Moonshine Run Is A Federal Offense! Team championships: each team will have up to 15 scoring wrestlers. With hard economic times, though, comes moonshine. Check out our articles about Virginia Beach & the Historic Cavalier Hotel or Airlie & the Origins of Earth Day, and stay tuned for more But Did You Know history articles to learn about some of Virginias most amazing untold stories, Im told my great grandfather Charlie craft Martin was a deputy sheriff during this time and also was a bootlegger and he had shot killed a man I enjoyed watching the movie lawless as I still live in Virginia, My Grandfather Thomas Creed Cooper was a bootlegger who lived in Callaway Virginia. Tax collectors were tarred and feathered, and their residences were attacked with firearms and ammunition. Plus, the spent grains left over from the distilling process could be fed to cows, pigs, and other livestock. And so? Of 23 defendants, 20 were convicted. In 2012, the movie "Lawless" was released based on the story of a family in Franklin County and their moonshine operations. He earns a living as one of the masterminds behind the production of illicit moonshine whiskey. 3,143 plastic jugs, a case of Mason jars and fuel oil tanks used to cook the moonshine "mash." There are. Make checks payable to Lady Eagles Softball Booster Club. Read "Does the Moon Shine on Legal Moonshine?" on the SFA blog. Want to know more about Virginias lesser-known history? Just south of Roanoke on Virginia highway 220. William B. Hopkins, Another View of the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935, VBA News Journal, p. 19 (Winter 2009/2010). The cemetery is on Henry Road about a half-mile off VA 40 West of Rocky Mount. Dismiss, Click Here to View FCD's Live Virtual Tour, 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County, VA 24065. 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). Franklin County Virginia has been called the Moonshine Capital of the World. Franklin County Distilleries is a full service restaurant and distillery. "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. John Hillcoat's "Lawless," with Shia LaBeouf, is set in Virginia's moonshine country during the Prohibition era. This was in contrast to past attempts to limit illegal booze manufacturing. [Read the Rest.] 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 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. , where you can sample moonshine, fruit brandies, and White Whiskey, the distillerys pure, unaged corn liquors available in 90- and 100-proof. FRANKLIN COUNTY MOONSHINE is the stuff of legends and outlaws, news stories and family struggles, a point of dubious pride in a region also known for stock car racing and mountain charm. With his wife Eliza Bridges Cooper they raised eleven children on their farm in the rolling hills of the Piedmont. Download our FREE Savings Pass to easily access discounts to local attractions, restaurants, & shops! Some government officials in Franklin County accepted bribes to look the other way and protect bootleggers from other lawmen and moonshine distillers; even the Sheriff of Franklin was in on the racket, overseeing a complex bribery system for the biggest moonshine producers in the region. His goal now is to preserve the history of moonshine the good and the bad. 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. Tuesday, January 8, 2019 6:00 AM I think we got it. Franklin County led by one point, 16-15, at the 6:09 mark of the second stanza. Christian Heritage Academy's boys varsity basketball team defeated Faith Christian Academy-Hurt, 53-13, in a match-up at home Friday night. Is Popcorn Sutton moonshine still available? William B. Hopkins, Another View of the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935, VBA News Journal, p. 20 (Winter 2009/2010). G C G. If a revenuer man ever hears about this boy you won't have a prayer. Menu Downloads . Laws were passed during this time to make rural distilleries illegal, and in the following years, Virginia counties one by one banned both the production and sale of spirits. To beat inflation, Mark and Digger attempt an old-school run of liquor they can sell at a 1990s price. Many people know a little bit about the era of Prohibition in America or have at least watched films about moonshiners, such as the 2012 Hollywood drama Lawless starring Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy, adapted from the novel The Wettest County in the World by Virginia-native author (and descendant of the Bondurant family) Matt Bondurant. Enjoy Virginia spirits responsibly and enjoy Franklin County. Franklin County hosts an annual Moonshine Heritage Month to commemorate the history and cultural aspects of moonshine with tours, special events, and costumed interpreters. If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit Franklin County Distilleries, the first legal distillery founded in Franklin County. Trailing by six points, 43-37, after three periods of play, the Ospreys were outscored 21-8 in the final frame. Tickle is said to have made more than $1 million with his involvement in the third season of Moonshiners alone! The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 [Greer, T. Keister] on Amazon.com. Would you happen to know of any resources I can use to research family history? You will no longer be able to purchase moonshine made by the original Popcorn Sutton since he died in 2009 after committed himself in order to escape going to jail and because he was diagnosed with cancer. Franklin County moonshine is all you care about. Laws father Amos had moonshine rings that produced 500,000 gallons. So, sugar is a key ingredient for making hooch. So you went in out and in the front like the country club out on north Main Street you went in the front, and you could get a hamburger or coca-cola. He was the gang's de facto leader during the 1930s, despite being the middle brother. by Casey L. Higgins, The days of illegal moonshine are long gone. Police officers and tax enforcement officials hunted down moonshiners throughout the United States with the help of local informants (which could sometimes be the bootleggers own competition). Catching the attention of the federal government, that transaction led to the lengthy federal investigation of indicted moonshiners, government officials, and even an entire company. The Franklin County Moonshine Conspiracy emerged during Prohibition, when mountain settlers transformed their liquor-making craft into a huge industry. 2 talking about this. 2023 Cater Menu (pdf) Download. Beginning in 1934, Bailey went undercover in Franklin County, posing as a small-scale moonshine customer to collect evidence. 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. Three years before national prohibition took effect by way of the 18th Amendment, Virginia went dry. Life was good for many, however, the white lighting struck just a little too bright, leading to one of the longest trials in the history of Virginia. The distillery is in the small town of Boones Mill, famous for being home to the Bondurant brothers store during Prohibition, where the bootlegging brothers and their associates would transfer moonshine for national distribution. Now, Im not saying they didnt shoot em up and they didnt beat each other up and they didnt have thieves and that sort of thing. Law's Choice T-Shirt $ 25.00; Rated 0 out of 5. 12). Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit. Law said those types of interactions with the law continued throughout the early parts of his moonshine career in the 1970s. Where was moonshine first made in America? We also offer "Catering" see Buddy for details. 9 seed Ferrum C, "Every single female that has come and fought the fight made this happen for the girls today. 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 >. Jeremy Norris is the proprietor of one of the states few moonshine distilleries, located in the states center region. If you drove all the way to the end of Hubert Dedeaux Road in the Kiln, you would come upon an inconspicuous shed adjacent to several bales of hay and a variety of other cars. Early moonshiners ran their stills at night in order to avoid being discovered by authorities in every section of the United States, including New England. A Virginia distillery located in the Moonshine Capital of the World. Instead of wasting the fruits and grains that they were unable to sell, the farmers used a homemade copper still and wooden barrels to mix the mash and store resulting spirits for years to come. This distillery is a great location for not only superb moonshine, but also fine dining. About this app. 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.