Corn in a Jar - Oconaluftee Visitor Center & Museum - near Cherokee, NC - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

County of center: Swain County
Location of center: Newfound Gap Rd (US-441), 2 miles N. of Cherokee Phone: 828-497-1904
Sign erected by: National Park Service
Date erected: 2011

Sign Text:

CORN
in a JAR
Many families in the Smokies made corn whiskey -- moonshine.
Whiskey was an easy way to transport corn from trade or sale. Until the 1870s, making whiskey was legal.

The Federal government added a tax on whiskey in the 1870s but it was hard to enforce the tax in the Smokies. Without the tax, moonshine was cheaper to sell. The Smokies became a popular place to make whiskey.

In the early 1900s, logging caused a boom in the moonshine industry. Industrial logging brought thousands of thirsty men to the mountains. The workers had cash to spend. Logging also brought better road system, so it was even easier to transport moonshine.

During the years of 1919 to 1933, Prohibition was in place. Prohibition meant that it was against the aw to manufacture, sell, or transport alcoholic beverages. Therefore, demand for illegal whiskey grew. It was easy to hide a still in the mountains and this area of the country became legendary for moonshine.

Group that erected the marker: National Park Service URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link] Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: 1194 Newfound Gap Hwy., Cherokee, NC 28719-8249

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