Looking for some info regarding these Independence, WI Bottling Company bottles

[dapperandy]

My dad is from Independence, WI and never knew and never heard one thing about Independence Bottling Company and a google search turned up no info so I was hoping someone hear could provide some information about these bottles.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Andrew / dapperandy The Independence Bottling Company was not located in Independence, Wisconsin but in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The earliest date I can find for the company is 1953 and was managed by C. A. Beranek. They were located at ... Independence Bottling Company 1205 La Crosse Street La Crosse, Wisconsin I don't know the entire history, but they apparently had financial problems and (according to the attached article) ceased operation in 1959. From ... The La Crosse Tribune ~ La Crosse, Wisconsin ~ April 20, 1959

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

P.S. The most likely reason your bottle has Independence, Wisconsin on it is because that was probably their main distribution area. It was not uncommon for bottlers to do that.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

PS. ~ P.S. As you know, Independence and La Crosse are about 50 miles apart.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

This link is to a Dad's Root Beer bottle currently on eBay. Notice it is marked "Independence Bottling Co. La Crosse, Wisconsin." http://www.ebay.com/itm/vtg-VERY-OLD-brown-bottle-JUNIOR-DADs-soda-pop-Independence-bottling-La-Crosse-/380833251276?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58ab6e3fcc

 

[dapperandy]

The funny thing about that ebay seller is that she is located in a Cashton, WI where these were bottles were found.Thanks so much for helping me find info, Bob.

 

[dapperandy]

My dad said he talked to someone from Independence who told him where the bottling company was in Independence and from this attached article from June 6, 1949 makes me think they were originally located in Indpendence and moved to La Crosse later. The bottom top of the bottle has 45 which Im thinking could indicate the year.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Andy If the Independence Bottling Company was ever located in Independence, Wisconsin, confirmation of that information is eluding me. Every reference I can find states it was located in La Crosse. I don't question the 1949 reference, nor that Harvey E Abend was involved with the company, but I do question the location. The references I'm seeing suggest the Independence location was a distribution center and not a bottling plant. But I could be wrong about that. It's a little confusing. This help wanted ad is from ... The La Crosse Tribune ~ April 19, 1953