BOMBERGER'S DISTILLERY
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Abraham S. Bomberger (my great-grandfather) bought a farm and distillery in Schaefferstown, PA in 1860 from Elizabeth Shenk Kratzer, great-grandaughter of John Shenk, who had distilled whiskey there since 1753. Abraham's family, most of whom were Mennonites and very religious, frowned upon his venture into the liquor business. On Sundays, as most families did in those days, Abraham and his family visited their families and relatives. After dinner and conversation ended and goodbyes were said, Abraham would reach into the back of his wagon, and pull out a jug of whiskey. As he offered the gift to them, he would say "For medicinal purposes only". Of course they very graciously accepted Abraham's gift. After Abraham died, the business was carried on by his two sons Horst and Samuel Bomberger until Prohibition forced its closure in 1919.

On the last day before the distillery closed, cars, horses and wagons lined up 2½ miles, waiting to buy what they thought was to be the last legal whiskey to be sold. They came on that cold day to fill their casks, bottles and tin cups and to drink their last rations of legal whiskey. Needless to say, their purchases didn't see them through the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.

Pennco Distillers, Inc. of PA acquired the property and made whiskey until 1978 when the property was sold to Michter's. Until 1989, when Michters filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, sour mash whiskey was made in the same traditional way that the Bombergers had years before. The distillery was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Department of Interior in June 1980 and, at that time, was the oldest distillery site still operating in the United States.

This landmark, once a major Lebanon County tourist attraction, was abandoned in 1991. Authorities could find no trace of the owners. The property was taken over by the bank after it foreclosed. Currently the property is owned by an unidentified group of Philadelphia area investors, who reportedly intend to bring back the distillery as a tourist attraction.

distillery abt 1910

Bomberger's Distillery about 1910.
Left, Horst Bomberger and 3 unknown men on right.
It was closed down in 1919 when Prohibition came.

Pennco Distiller's of Penna


Pennco took over Bomberger's Distillery a few years after prohibition. (Picture about 1950)



Michters Distillery National Register plaque at distillery

Michters bought the distillery in July 1978 and the property was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Department of Interior, June 1980. It was, at that time, America's oldest operating whiskey distillery in the U.S. (This picture taken in June 1986)


THE WHISKEY THAT WARMED THE REVOLUTION

In colonial days, whiskey was an important commodity often used for medicinal purposes. George Washington is said to have stopped at the distillery, en route to Valley Forge, to pick up whiskey for his troops.

Snitzel Creek



Years ago pure crystal water came down from the mountains, into Snitzel Creek, and was used in the making of Bomberger's Pure Rye Whiskey. (Picture taken June 1986)





Jug House


The Jug House in Bomberger's time was visited by local residents who would come to the distillery on market day. The walls were lined with barrels and the customers were allowed to try a sample from each barrel before deciding from which one they wanted their whiskey.
(Picture taken June 1986)




Rye Whiskey Label

An original label for Bomberger's Rye Whiskey.


(Pictures courtesy of Yvonne Bomberger Fowler
granddaughter of Horst Bomberger)


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