Michter's Distillery - Lebanon County Landmark
By Yvonne Roberts
9 June 2008
Michter's Distillery near Schaefferstown, PA began as "Bomberger's Distillery." The story begins back in 1753 when, John Shenk, a Swiss Mennonite farmer began distilling whiskey. Whiskey, being high in carbohydrates, was used as a medicine, a food supplement and also as a means for purifying water. As a result, it became a very valuable item for trade as the currency of that time was very unstable. The home-farm operation was passed down through various members of the Shenk family until it was acquired by Abraham "Abe" Bomberger, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, who purchased the property prior to 1860 from Shenk's great-granddaughter. After Abraham died the business was carried on by his two sons until prohibition forced its closure in 1919. Pennco Distillers, Inc. PA acquired the property and made whiskey until 1978, when the distillery was sold to Michters. In June 1980, the distillery was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Department of Interior and, at that time, was the oldest distiller site still operating in the U.S. Now it is no longer a National Historic Landmark.
For more about this structure, see: http://web.tampabay.rr.com/ybfowler/legacy.htm
