This Tiny U.S. Town Is Known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World”

Moonshine is known to be an extremely high-proof liquor (80 Proof, at least) and was made and distributed illegally. The history behind the consumption and creation of moonshine stems from Prohibition. Alcohol would be created at night to avoid any type of snooping by neighbors or cops. Today, there are legally operating moonshine makers that have broadened the moonshine liquor. They have distilleries in several places in the US. But during Prohibition, as illegal distilleries were at an all-time high, there was one tiny town in the US where everyone was involved in the moonshine trade somehow. This tiny town is known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World.”

About Franklin County, VA

Franklin County is located in south-central Virginia in the Blue Ridge Foothills of the state. Before Europeans arrived in the area, there were Native Americans that lived there. As the colonies in the US grew, many people moved into the mountains, with a substantial Scotch-Irish population. People also moved to start tobacco plantations in the western parts of the state because the eastern parts had already been exhausted. Named after Benjamin Franklin, Franklin County has about 54,000 people and it is part of the Roanoke metropolitan area.

Great Moonshine Conspiracy

But why is Franklin County called the “Moonshine Capital of the World.” The answer is simple. About 99% of residents were involved in the making or distribution of moonshine. The moonshine trade had gotten ahold of Franklin County completely. Historically, since the 1700s, the area had several distilleries making moonshine (and whiskey). When Prohibition passed and came into effect, things changed radically all over the country. Illegal moonshine distilleries continued to operate, but at night to avoid being caught. 

It was during this era that its residents gave it the nickname. And the production and selling of it ensured people in the county still had a way to live (and it meant more money, too). After Prohibition was repealed, authorities found that distillers had greatly profited for several years in the 1930s without paying taxes. This led to a court trial that is known as the “Great Moonshine Conspiracy.” A total of 34 people were indicted with 31 convictions in what was the longest trial to date. Today, there are still a few moonshine distilleries in Franklin County proudly displaying the history of their moonshine production. There was also a novel written about the county’s moonshine history called The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant. It was adapted into the 2012 movie Lawless.

Conclusion

And there you have it, Franklin County, VA is the tiny town known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World.” Located in the middle of Appalachia, Franklin County became famous for producing moonshine during Prohibition. Nearly everyone in the town worked or was somehow related to the production of moonshine. This, in turn, labeled the tiny town as such. Although times have changed (and alcohol is legal), the town still has that nickname attached to it and the residents of Franklin County are proud of it. As they should!