Museum trying to solve Clinton Falls distillery mystery

Friday, October 14, 2016

The Putnam County Museum is trying to solve a local mystery after receiving some information about Alonzo Cook, who reportedly owned a distillery in the Clinton Falls area around 1898.

Once prohibition became an issue, Cook reportedly ran into some trouble with law enforcement. Having several run-ins with the law after the closing of his distillery, Cook opened a pharmacy after which liquor sales reportedly brought on more problems.

The museum is hunting for a picture of Cook’s distillery. In Clinton Falls the remains of the foundation and remnants of the distillery walls can still be seen to this day, however a photograph of the building in its heyday has so far eluded the museum staff.

“Starting this journey we never imagined we’d find such a colorful history in Mr. Cook,” a museum spokesman said. “Around every bend we find something more and more interesting.”

If anyone has any pictures or information, they are asked to contact the museum at 653-8419 or stop in at 1105 N. Jackson St. Greencastle, and help solve a mystery.

Museum hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

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