History Pub - Oregon Moonshine: Bootleggers, Busts, and Brawls

McMenamins and Troutdale Historical Society present
History Pub

Oregon Moonshine: Bootleggers, Busts, and Brawls
Presented by Bruce Haney

McMenamins Edgefield
Blackberry Hall
Monday, January 12, 2026
7pm/doors 6pm
$5
All ages

Moonshining is deep-rooted in the history of Oregon. In 1844, when it was still the Oregon Territory, one of the first moonshiners, James Conner, challenged a lawman to a duel for busting his illegal operation. The McKenzie River Bandits had better luck hiding from the law and produced bootleg booze for nearly five years before their arrests. Over the years, outlaw moonshiners engaged in car chases, shootouts, and even attempted an assassination to protect their hidden distilleries and way of life. Join author Bruce Haney as he chronicles the intoxicating history of Oregon moonshine.

Bruce Haney is the author of 𝑂𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑜𝑛 𝑀𝑜𝑜𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒: 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝐵𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑙𝑠 and 𝐸𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑇𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑂𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑜𝑛. He is known as the town historian for Boring and gives a monthly lecture about the town. Bruce runs a popular history group called Boring Oregon History and is also a frequent story contributor to the “Weekly Spooky” podcast. He enjoys socializing with friends, going to see local theater, yet spends much of his time behind a computer researching Boring history, his family tree, the history of rock-and-roll, and whatever else interests him.

You may also like the following events from McMenamins History:

• This Tuesday, 18th November, 07:00 pm, History Pub - Oregon Search and Rescue in Bend
• This Tuesday, 18th November, 07:00 pm, History Pub - Shattered Peace: A Century of Silence in Centralia
• This Wednesday, 19th November, 12:00 pm, History Pub - The Smuggler's Blues: The Smuggler’s Blues: The Illegal, Immoral, and Illicit... in Tacoma

Also check out other Arts events in Troutdale, Literary Art events in Troutdale, Theatre events in Troutdale.