Eagle Distillery

In 1869, Mr. Monarch built his distillery at Grissom’s Landing with a capacity of five barrels per day and by 1883, had a capacity of about 40 barrels per day. It was first the "T. J. Monarch Distillery," later denominated the "Eagle Distillery at Grissom's Landing." Thomas Monarcli was President of the company and George A. Williams was the Secretary. Their office was at the northeast corner of the Public Square at 214 Frederica St. (1891 Directory).

The "Eagle Distillery" at Birk City was started in 1880, with a ten-barrel capacity. Company: T. J. Monarch, President; S. Monarch and Thomas Shaffel. Office in Owensboro, same as above. The brands of whisky placed in market by both establishments are the "T. J. Monarch," "Imperial," and "Cliff Falls."

According to the 1876 Atlas map, the place was formerly known as “Bunch’s Bend” and had been a site of an old distillery earlier. It had been abandoned years earlier. A steamboat landing, at which the mail boats would make regular stops, was within a few hundred yards of the distillery.

The Eagle Distillery was at this location in 1880. T. G. Monarch started the distillery and soon his “Old Tom Monarch” whiskey became the “synonym for the purest and most inspiring liquor”. It was a three story brick building some 200 yards from the river. On the roof was a cupola used for ventilation. There was an observatory on top of the main building. Atop it was a giant golden eagle with wings extended. Along the side of the building was a 70 foot brick smokestack. On the front of the building, a triangular window represented three barrel heads. On the top were the words “T. J. Monarch, old fashion handmade sour mash fire copper whiskey”. The left barrel said, “Eagle Distilling Company, registered distillery No. 8. The right barrel stated “Imperial handmade sour mash whiskey”. Each corner of the building was crowned with a large iron whiskey barrel surmounted by a jug. It was probably the most elaborate distillery ever seen in Daviess County.

In 1874, nearly 2000 barrels of whiskey was manufactured and it would be the same in 1875 if enough grain could be procured. The large bonded warehouse in connection with the distillery contained 17,000 barrels of whiskey. The whiskey was moved to the river for transporting by a rail car that was propelled by a stationary engine in the distillery and runs to the river, about 500 yards distance, and does in one day what takes two teams and a half dozen men before in a week. Numerous barges of corn were unloaded there for the distillery and hundreds of barrels of bourbon whiskey were sent up and down the river on steamer.