Black Band Distillery Expands to ex-Cat Tire!

Black Band Distillery, presently operating at 1000 SW Adams Street, is planning to expand to the vacant property at 2400 SW Washington Street. That is according to WCBU News. 

Although the article omits it, this property has a long history with the local distilling industry. National Cooperage & Woodenware Co. constructed a plant there in 1900, though a predecessor apparently had begun barrel making operations there c. 1885. This firm survived Prohibition (1920-1933) because the barrels could also be used for packing corn syrup, condensed milk, cider, vinegar, liquid chemicals, flavoring extracts, etc.

Hiram Walker & Sons, which purchased one-third to one-half of its production, gained control of National Cooperage in 1946. A new four-story expansion began in the fall of 1964 only to be destroyed by a tornado on September 14, 1965. Operations resumed at the start of 1966 and the entire plant was replaced in 1967-1968. 

Changing economics led to closure in 1972. Caterpillar Tractor Co. purchased the property in 1973, renovated it, built a three-story addition and began making beaded rubber tires there in 1974. While there seems to have been no public announcement of closure, this plant continued to operate as recently as 2016. 

Real estate signage has been noted since that time. 

The scale of operations planned by Black Band Distillery is unknown, but the recent addition of Zyr Vodka suggests something big. The property at 2400 SW Washington Street had rail service until 2016. Although trackage (owned by BNSF Railway) is disconnected from the local rail network, Black Band could have it restored if it desired. 

I caught BNSF Railway's "Peoria Local" switching here on March 31, 2014. Within a month or so, the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad (TZPR) had assumed switching duties here. 

I caught the TZPR switching there on August 2, 2014.

- David P. Jordan