Grosscurth Distillery

[Bob Hill]

I am a writer historian seeking information on the Grosscurth Distillery near Louisville, Ky., which was burned in fire in 1968. I understand it had an operation on Floyds Fork in Jefferson County. I would love to contact a former employee. Can anyone help - or send me in right direction?
Bob Hill

[cowdery]

According to Sam Cecil, that distillery in Anchorage (a now very ritzy suburb east of Louisville) stopped operating in the 1950s and was demolished in 1976. In addition to Charles Grosscurth, Sr. and Jr., Joe Makler had some involvement with the operation.

Under Makler it bore the name Shawhan and also at some point the names Meadowlawn, and Waterfill and Frazier. All of those names, except Grosscurth, appeared on other Kentucky distilleries too at various times, which makes it confusing. Also confusing is the fact that there was a town called Meadowlawn, which was the site of a distillery, which may or may not at some point have been called Meadowlawn but which is usually known as John P. Dant or Old Boone. The town of Meadowlawn was renamed Valley Village and is in southern Jefferson County.

I'm not sure where Floyd's Fork is.

As for people who worked there, they would have had to have worked there very young and would now be very old, but lots of people read these postings so you might get a hit.

If you tell us a little bit more about what you're trying to discover we might be able to help you more. The histories of these distilleries are so intertwined. Grosscurth, for example, also apparently owned the Old Joe Distillery in the 1940s (not current Four Roses but the defunct one across the street).

[Bob Hill]

Charlie,
Thank you. I am interested in Grosscurth Distillery because I am historian for a Louisville group that is creating a 27-mile park along a stream called Floyds Fork in Louisville, KY. There is an old damn site on the Fork which everyone here believes was part of the Grosscurth Distillery. I am spending years researching people and places along the river - hence my interest. I would love to find old photos, people who worked there, etc. I am a retired newpaper columnist with Louisville Courier-Jourrnal and have written 10 books on various subjects.
Bob Hill

[silverfish]

Charlie,

Crotchety Charlie - gotta nice ring to it!

[barturtle]

In 2002 the Grosscurth Estate donated $12.5 million to UofL, it's likely they probably also donated personal papers to the archives there. Also check with Micheal Veach at the Filson, as he might know of any other papers or deeds to the property.

The distillery is also listed as an asbestos job site, so finding the applicable lawyer may turn up an exact location. It's on Owens Corning Site list here. Entry 7522.

[barturtle]

The histories of these distilleries are so intertwined. Grosscurth, for example, also apparently owned the Old Joe Distillery in the 1940s (not current Four Roses but the defunct one across the street).

According to UofL archives, the Old Joe they refer to is now Four Roses, if these pictures are correct

[cowdery]

My records show it was the other Old Joe, but you never know with this stuff. I think it all came from Cecil but this is one of those cases where Sam says one thing on one page then contradicts himself on the next. Those were very good suggestions you gave him.

Nobody calls me Charlie.

[callmeox]

Nobody calls me Charlie.

Until now.


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[callmeox]

Nobody calls me Charlie.

Charlie is the new Chuck.


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[barturtle]

My records show it was the other Old Joe, but you never know with this stuff. I think it all came from Cecil but this is one of those cases where Sam says one thing on one page then contradicts himself on the next. Those were very good suggestions you gave him.

I had assumed it was the other also, until those photos popped up. Cecil was the only source I had as well.