Waterman’s is housed in a structure of 19th-century charm and historical engineering. Three hundred year old hemlock timbers adorn the pegged beam structure built in the 1870’s. The German Bank barn is steeped in history and local folklore. Purposefully located on route 434 in Apalachin, N.Y., the distillery is part of America’s original moonshine trail established by bootleggers traveling east and west during the prohibition era.
The location is aptly named in recognition of Fred L. Waterman who was one of the last New York State Troopers to patrol his entire career for “Troop C” on Horseback. One of his greatest calls to justice came when he observed a Canada Dry Soda truck “loaded to the hilt” with granulated sugar sitting at an underpass waiting to make a delivery near the Pennsylvania line.
Mr. Waterman’s detective work launched the investigation that disrupted one of the largest crime rings in America’s history. Waterman’s Distillery is the exact location, which Trooper Waterman owned, that housed and boarded his horses. Ironically, all less than a mile from the most notable and most referenced historical 1957 Apalachin Mafia Crime Bust. The historical incident has been portrayed numerous times in famous movies and television shows such as Goodfellas, The Soprano’s, and Get Shorty.
Formerly know as Waterman’s Distillery, visit the new Cafe and Tasting Barn, and sample some of the area’s finest craft products. Waterman’s is located off of Route 434, In Apalachin, New York, where they pride ourselves on offering an experience, in history, with just a touch of modern flair!