Alcohol has been a part of Shenandoah County's history since the arrival of Europeans in the late 18th century.

During these years transporting raw agricultural products to market was incredibly difficult, risky, and expensive. However, distilling crops and selling the alcohol was much easier and more profitable. This, combined with a strong tradition of alcohol production among immigrants, led to the construction of stills on almost every county farm. The demand for spirits was so strong that in 1810 Shenandoah County was producing over 92,000 gallons of alcohol.

In addition to this domestic production, the influx of individuals, and travelers moving to other areas along what became known as the Valley Turnpike, facilitated a building boom of taverns and ordinaries in Shenandoah County. These sites provided hot meals, beds, and a strong drink to visitors and residents alike. Between 1795 and 1891 the county issued 176 licenses for these types of businesses.

Toward the end of the 19th century, the Temperance movement was growing in Shenandoah County. Many individuals, including some county residents, blamed alcohol for many of society's ills including domestic violence, poverty, and unemployment. To reduce its use and to better their communities, they pushed to ban the production and sale of spirits. A 1904 article in the Shenandoah Herald reported every community in Shenandoah County -- excluding Woodstock and New Market -- had gone dry.

In 1906 New Market and the Lee District communities had outlawed alcohol. Woodstock followed suit in 1907 after a referendum was held where the “dry” supporters won by a single vote. The rest of the county would follow suit soon afterwards and in 1914 Virginia as a whole outlawed alcohol.

Enforcing this law, however, proved to be very difficult. Hundreds of individuals were charged with prohibition-related laws each year. During the 1920s this number often exceeded 1000 people. At the same time the number of drinkers remained fairly stable.

This convinced many that prohibition was a failure. In 1933 alcohol was again legalized on the Federal level. Over the next several decades the various regulations the county placed on alcohol production and sales were also eliminated.

Today, businesses related to alcohol production and sale, including wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and state-run ABC liquor stores are profitable and booming portions of the county's economy.

This tour examines the extensive and often complicated history of sites related to alcohol in Shenandoah County. The tour includes places that sold and made spirits, even some that did so illegally. It also includes sites related to temperance and regulation.

Feel free to explore and to share with us any stories and sites you have related to spirits, stills, and temperance in Shenandoah County.