Carmichael and Son Ocala FL, White Stoneware Whisky Jug, ca 1908

Wonderful white stoneware salt glazed whisky jug with blue cobalt advertising for the Carmichael and Son distilling company of Ocala, FL. Everyone calls this type of stoneware jug a whisky or moonshine jug. Truth is, most of them were used for other things. Whatever liquids needed to be shipped. That makes it all the more special that this really is for liquor.

Besides that, this jug has a cool piece of history. The Carmichael & Son refers to George Carmichael and his son, C. Ed Carmichael of Ocala. Ed was the person who began the first real development of Silver Springs Florida as a tourist attraction. If you haven't been to Silver Springs, you need to go. It's one of my favorite places. In 1906 while the mail order whisky business with his father was going strong, Ed purchased land in Silver Springs. When an election in 1908 threatened to outlaw alcohol in Marion county, he began to develop it as a tourist attraction. By 1916 when another wet-dry election shut down the distillery, his Silver Springs tourist attractions were going strong.

As you can see in the photos, the salt glaze is slightly crazed, and there is a good sized chip in the base. There's also a slight crack on the back side. I think this is just in the glaze and doesn't go all the way through. All in all, with the age and history, we think this is a terrific piece.