Near Loretto in Marion County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Old Gristmill-Distillery
Photographed by Deborah Poor, April 8, 2011
1. Old Gristmill-Distillery Marker
Charles Burks began a distillery operation, circa 1805-1815, in connection with family gristmill. It was located near the present stillhouse. Charles Burks died in 1831, and the distillery was in operation until then. In 1889, distilling was begun again by George R. Burks, a great-grandson. He erected present plant now known as Maker's Mark Distillery.
Formerly known as Burks Mill and distillery. At the site of the present stillhouse, Charles Burks erected, September 1805, a waterpowered gristmill. The limestone walls of that early structure still stand, providing foundation support for the present stillhouse. Except during time of prohibition, milling of grain has been continuous since 1805. Over
Erected 1974 by Kentucky Historical Society. (Marker Number 1509.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location. 37° 38.85′ N, 85° 20.983′ W. Marker is near Loretto, Kentucky, in Marion County. It is on Don Ryan Road 0.1 miles north of Burk Spring Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3350 Burk Spring Road, Loretto KY 40037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Makers Mark Bourbon. (Submitted on April 11, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail. (Submitted on April 11, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed by Deborah Poor, April 8, 2011
2. Old Gristmill-Distillery Marker
Back side of marker.
Photographed by Deborah Poor, April 8, 2011
3. Old Gristmill-Distillery Marker
Sign on the walk, just past the road into Maker's Mark Distillery.
Photographed by Andrea Capps
4. Old Gristmill-Distillery Marker - Reverse Side
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2011, by Deborah Poor of Fort Wayne, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,169 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2011, by Deborah Poor of Fort Wayne, Indiana. 4. submitted on June 17, 2025, by Andrea Capps of Lake, Illinois. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
