Moonshining in Frog Hollow

According to local legend and my husband's family stories, Frog Hollow and neighboring Dargan had quite the reputation for bootleggers and associated 'riff raff.' The photo shows a Halloween display in Sharpsburg advertising the way to the place where all the locals knew to go for some good brew. George's maternal side, the Otzelbergers, apparently took part in this dangerous business; some served jail time for the trade. Stories relate how people would climb to perches in trees and fire shots when the tax man was coming. Amazingly enough, the stills are rumored not to be completely gone. One might be able to sample a fruity concoction if you were to know the right folks!

Laying Down Roots

We make our home above Frog Hollow, a little place south of Antietam in Washington County, Maryland. My husband George grew up in Frog Hollow, and his family has lived here for many years, reaching back to times of moonshining and living off rough mountain land. I've discovered that my ancestors too roamed these hollows and river bottoms many years ago.

Now, George and I are raising two spirited girls on a little rise above Frog Hollow, where spring peepers ring in the warm season. I'll record some of my musings on our lives here, especially in connection with our families' histories and this rugged land.