The Jealous Crumpet

A sweet little blog

Prohibition Tunnel and Pecans Galore

6 Comments

Untitled-1Several weeks ago, I read a newspaper article about a prohibition-era hidden tunnel underneath a pecan shop in Decatur, AL. I knew as soon as I read the article I knew I had to investigate. I trekked out the Tennessee Valley Pecan Co. and popped into the shop.5The shop itself it well worth the trip, even without the secret booze den. The pecan company sells a large variety of the most delicious pecans, coffee, and Piper & Leaf teas.  1Y2B2875The shop is adorable with many squirrel themed products. I also learned that there are numerous types of pecans.  Who knew?! 2I ordered a coffee and some dark chocolate pecans and asked to see the secret tunnel.  3Owner David Armistead was very obliging and explained to me how they found the tunnel, a bit of its history and what was down there. 7He showed me to the tunnel which they left exposed with a piece of plexiglass over the top.  Through the hole you can see the scary rickety ladder, whiskey crates, and remaining prohibition debris. 10David kindly invited me to come back on a different day to go down into the tunnel.  I’ll admit it was a pretty scary hole to go into.  I was glad I had been working out because if I was any wider I would not have fit in.  6It was super thrilling and a bit scary.  We found old beer bottles, whiskey boxes and even pecan shells.8It was also an adventure to get myself, camera, and tripod down this very steep ladder. 9

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Author: Sarah Bélanger

I am a freelance photographer and writer, working for various magazines, cookbooks and blogs. I love what I do, but I have a lot of restrictions depending on which brand and publication I'm working for. This blog gives me the opportunity to have fun. I'm also a pretty terrible cook, so this blog is forcing me to learn some kitchen skills, which is both thrilling and infuriating. I hope you enjoy reading the blog, half as much as I enjoy making it.

6 thoughts on “Prohibition Tunnel and Pecans Galore

  1. What an awesome adventure! I enjoyed going with you!

  2. Such an interesting post! Thanks for all the information and photos. 🙂

  3. That’s interesting. In November I visited the Museum of the American Gangster in New York City. It’s located in a building that was the headquarters of the Hoffman gang during prohibition. There were two rooms full of pictures and artifacts. Someone gave a lecture then we went downstairs where the speakeasy was. In the 1920s there was a very upscale speakeasy where the elite would go — which included the mayor and the police commissioner. It was pretty cool.

    The Tennessee Valley Pecan Company looks very interesting too. If I was in the area I would stop by.

    Thank you for sharing.

    • How cool! I’d love to visit that. I am currently working on a book that includes a huge portion on prohibition and it is so fascinating. I can’t believe how wild it used to be in the 1920’s.
      Thank-you for commenting on and definitely let me know if you find yourself in North Alabama. I can recommend lots of prohibition places for you to visit.

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