‘MINNESOTA 13’ DOCUMENTARY FILMING IN STEARNS COUNTY'

PRESS RELEASE   6/24/2014 

‘MINNESOTA 13’ DOCUMENTARY FILMING IN STEARNS COUNTY

Local Prohibition history is making the transition from book to film, as documentary filming takes place in various county locations this summer.  

“Minnesota 13: From Grain to Glass” follows the colorful moonshine-making history of Stearns County, as Depression-devastated farmers turned to making illegal alcohol. 

The alcohol evolved into a branded product, nationally distributed, with a premium reputation. 

The film explores Elaine Davis’s book ‘Minnesota 13-Wet Wild Prohibition Days,” the history of an elite whiskey produced in the heart of Minnesota during Prohibition years and beyond. 

The documentary also follows the modern-day attempts of organic farmers growing Minnesota 13 heritage corn seed and a St. Paul micro-distiller resuscitating the brand as premium whiskey.  

The film will intertwine and interpret the stories, the lore, ethnicity, religion, local and national law enforcement, geography, farm economics, regional history and insights into why Stearns County didn’t become the ‘Jack Daniels” producing area of the USA after Prohibition ended.   

Documentarians Norah Shapiro and Kelly Nathe are co-directing/co-producing the film. Norah Shapiro is a Minneapolis-based independent documentary filmmaker (formerly a public defender) and owner of Flying Pieces Productions.  Los Angeles-based Kelly Nathe is closely connected to the story, with family and childhood ties to Holdingford and Little Birch Lake in western Stearns County, where significant moonshining took place and Al Capone visited. 

 Filming is ongoing at 11 Wells Distillery in the refurbished Hamms Brewery in St Paul, the Stearns History Museum and Research Center, Baker's Acres in Avon,  the Stearns County jail, the city of Holdingford and other local community sites. 

The documentary has been partially funded with Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds from Minnesota's Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

Follow the filmmaking on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MN13doc.  If you have any unique ‘Minnesota 13’ historical contributions to the film, such as photographs, artifacts, tunnels, blackened cooking rooms, intact stills in place, arrest records, or wish to be interviewed, please contact Elaine Davis with your info.  612 968 1109 or edavis@stcloudstate.edu

Mn 13 non-alcoholic Water

Elmer Ebnet one of the famous Ebnet brothers. Who knows more than he likes to admit about Minnesota 13 and it's history. He is pictured here after buying the very 1st bottle of Mn 13 non-alcoholic water from the Holdingford Area Historical Society. He said in true Elmer fashion, that he had never boughten a bottle of water in his life and this one he wasn't ever going to open unless his barber shop was burning.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13 Moonshine Mn 13

Bottled Minnesota 13

Now that we are adding to the Historical Society's line of Minnesota 13 products. We have started the process a few weeks back of trademarking,Minnesota 13, Mn 13.
The design below is on our water bottles, that we will be selling this weekend at the Carmel Roll Ride, which is starting in Holdingford this year. Along with the Mn 13 shirts and shirts here

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13

Holdingford Advertiser May 20-1920

Way Back When
Holdingford Advertiser-May,20,1920 \retrieved by Kathy

John Grossman,Nick Theilen and Manly Immeral,all of Avon were discovered early Monday morning by sheriff Schoener in the act of transporting a complete still and thirteen barrels and two milk cans fit for distillation.The name of John Rass, also of Avon was given by the men as that of the owner of the still which they claim to have been moving in an attempt to circumvent the federal officers who were warm on the trail of the law breakers. The mash was destroyed at the direction of the sheriff and the apparatus is in his custody at his office.

Automobile speeders in the downtown district of Holdingford are becoming numerous and the law governing t5he speed regulations within the limits should be enforced.

Bids will be received to 8:00 p.m.,on june 7th,1920 for the labor of building 275 feet of six-foot cement sidewalk,according to grade,with 2 driveways and 3 street crossings. Said sidewalk beginning at lot 11, running south to corner of lot 22, Batz & Herman Addition, in the Village of Holding.The council reserves the right to reject any and all bids.Dated at Holdingford,Mn. on May 18,1920
Geo. M. Meller (recorder)

Communication was recevied from Cyril Stodolka, the Royalton flyer, in which he stated that he would visit Holdingford the fore part of next week with his Curtiss plane and will take up passengers who wish to try the sensation. Permission was granted by Frank Meier to use his field as a landing place. Watch for him.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History

Minnesota 13 Mousse

old recipe
Minnesota 13 Mousse
1C. heavy cream
1 pinch of salt
5t. powered sugar
2 egg whites
1/2 gallop of Minnesota 13
whip the cream until it is medium thick
fold in sugar & salt
mix until stiff, add Minnesota 13, to stiffly beaten egg whites & fold this mixture into whipped cream
place in a flat pan or trat & set outside to freeze for about 4 hours
stir & scrape down the pan when the mousse stiffens.
(gallop= pour a gallop into glass drink half, throw rest into recipe)

Mnnesota 13 Best Selling Book

I just found out that Elaine Davis's Minnesota 13 book has been the best selling local book of the year at the Stearns County Museum. Pretty good especially since it didn't come out until the end of July. Haven't got your copy yet? Need a unique Christmas gift ? Stop in at Bev's Corner Pizza and pick up a copy or two and browse through all the antiques she has there.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Mnnesota 13 moonshine

Minnesota 13 Class

We seem to be stuck on the minnesota 13 theme right now, like
here, here here and here but that is o.k. as it is very interesting. I just found out that Elaine Davis is going to be teaching a community Education class at the Holdingford High School Commons on Monday December 10 th ,7:00-8:30 p.m. the Fee is $5 the registration deadline is December 3d. Here is the other information I received from the Community Ed Dept.
'Stearns County’s Wet Wild Prohibition Days'
Dr. Elaine Davis, Author
Elaine is looking forward to coming to Holdingford to share her new book, Minnesota 13, a historical overview of the years from 1920-1933, when moonshine production dominated Stearns County as the 18th Amendment was in effect. She will present stories from, and sign copies of, Minnesota 13. Elaine will also share with you what she has learned about self publishing. This will be a great opportunity for you to meet a local author and learn from her research and experiences.
I believe it will be a enjoyable evening, as she has many stories that are not in the book.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13 class

Minnesota 13 Golf

The year was 1931, the 13th of June at 1:00 p.m. was the Grand Opening of the Minnesota 13 (13 holes that is) Miniature Golf Course, in Holdingford. It was built and owned by Al Siebenard. The first round was free that day and people were able to play until dark, lights for evening play were being installed . Miniature golf was gaining much popularity around the country. Who says people didn't have a sense of humor.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13

Meeting With Minnesota 13 Author

We had a standing room only crowd at our historical society meeting with Author Elaine Davis (admittedly it's not a real large place).
There were many people there for the first time to listen to her discuss the book and ask questions. It went very well, with Ms. Davis talking about and showing some of her research on the book. A lot of folks were buying more than one copy to give as gifts. So she was busy for quite some time signing books. If you want a signed copy, Bev at the Corner Pizza and Antiques has a few . Get them while you can.

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13 Elaine Davis

Meet The Author of "Minnesota 13"

Ms. Elaine Davis author of "Minnesota 13"-Wet Wild Prohibition Days, will be at the Holdingford Historical Society meeting on August 6th 7:00 pm, at the Corner Pizza and Antiques to talk about her new book.
Everyone is welcome!
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13

Minnesota 13 MoonShine During Prohibition

Elaine Davis has just published her book called "Minnesota 13"-Wet Wild Prohibition Days. I just got a copy yesterday and have just finished reading it I found it a fun read, engaging and hard to put down.
If you want to get a flavor of what this part of Minnesota, Stearns County and the area around Holdingford was like during Prohibition, this is the book for you. It provides a lot of well researched information on the history of 'Minnesota 13' the notorious or famous moonshine whiskey depending on how you look at it. That was created and made in the area.
Written in a easy to read style. Ms. Davis relates a lot information about the unique relationships between law and lawbreakers, the humor and seriousness of life in hard times . You can buy copies in Holdingford at The Corner Pizza & Antiques or go to her web site Wet Wild Prohibition Days to buy it or get more information.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Prohibition Minnesota 13

A interesting Article about prohibition in central Minnesota.