CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP ~ BOTTLES & MORE

[SODAPOPBOB]

It's always a good day when you can bring home a couple of soda bottles you didn't have previously, especially when that day includes a drive through the mountains in the summertime. Julian, California is a 1870s gold mining town and attracts tourist from far and wide who are drawn there not only because of the town's historical interest but also because of it's famous home made apple pies that are made from apples grow in local orchards.

Here's a quick peek of Julian's main section. Notice the building on the left directly behind the horse's head, which I will tell you more about in a minute.

 

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That building houses the "Miners Drug and Soda Fountain" that was founded in 1928 and serves the best malts in the entire county. The picture below is of the marble counter where I had lunch.

 

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The establishment is decorated from top to bottom with vintage items and old soda bottles like this ...

Check out the Whistle sign!

 

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In one of the local antique shops I purchased this 1963 "Leominster Home Beverages" bottle that is from Leominster, Mass. I believe this green variation is harder to find than the more common clear ones.

 

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I also purchased this 1955 "Squeeze." It's common but my first. It's from New Orleans, U.S.A., which is how it is marked on the back.

 

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Here's another picture from inside the soda fountain ...

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

PS ~

On the way home I stopped at Viejas Indian casino and ended up winning $60.00, which paid for my entire trip including bottles, lunch, and gas. As for the thunderstorm I was hoping for, it only sprinkled for about 15 minutes, but all in all a great day!

Bob

 

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Nice day trip Bob...

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

ORIGINAL: SODAPOPBOB

Here's the rarest acl 7up bottle I am aware of ... 1935

As far as I know it is a one-of-a-kind!

[ Photo courtesy of member wonkapete ]

For future reference I wanted to add this sign to go with wonkapete's bottle. Notice the similarity. This is the earliest 7up sign I am aware of and is on ebay with a Buy It Now/Make Offer price of $389.99 ...

This is also the first "9 Bubble" 7up item I have ever seen!

Link; http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380460321300&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

PS ~

I did some research on the 7up sign and discovered that the same excat one has been listed on ebay at least five different times going as far back as 2007. It appears the seller is having a hard time finding a buyer at his asking price. There have been three different offers on the current listing, (although I do not know how much the highest one was) but all of which have been declined. I suspect the seller is holding out for at least $300.00, which might be okay if it wasn't in such bad shape. Can you imagine trying to sell the same sign for five years? If it were me I think I would accept the first $200.00 offer that came along and be done with it!

SPB