bottle-bud
Well-Known Member
Western Mineral Water Company
1609 S. Broadway (1904-1908)
2311 S. 7[SUP]th[/SUP] Street (1909-1927)
616 Blow Street (1928-1948)
St. Louis, Missouri
The first I find Western Mineral Water Company in old city directories is 1904, the year of a World’s Fair here in St. Louis. A good time to start a mineral water company as many thirsty travelers would be coming into town.
This 1905 ad lists the officers of the company, location and a phone number.
The Jan. 15, 1905 edition of American Carbonator and American Bottler had a nice article on Western Mineral Water and featured photos of A.H. Spellmeyer and M.B. Bardol.
Here are two early Western Mineral Water bottles in my collection, a bimal aqua glass dating to the 1904 era and machine-made clear glass bottle probably dating to the 1920’s.
1909 and a new location for Western Mineral Water Company
Around 1915 or so a Charles W. Spellmeyer replaces Michael Bardol as vice-pres.
These men will be in charge until 1928 or 1929.
Here is an early paper label bottle for Oh-Joy, this bottle is not in my collection but I would love to have one.
1928 and the last location for Western Mineral Water is shown as well as a plug for Camel Soda. Also, from my collection is a trio of mid-1920 art deco bottles. A 6 ½-ounce, a 7-ounce and a 24-ounce.
1929 and a Frank Schnellmann is now listed as president of Western Mineral Water Co. I am not sure exactly how it all worked out, but Frank is the younger brother of Louis Schnellmann Jr. who is listed as president of the Empire Bottling Co or sometimes advertised as Empire Soda Water Co. Empire is located at 515 Robert Ave just a block away from 616 Blow St. Back in 1909 Louis Schnellmann Sr. started Empire Soda Water Co. So many more twist and turns in this research business. I’ll do a write up of Empire soon.
1934 and another spot for Camel soda to be used as a mixer. I am not real good at dating seltzer bottles but I am guessing mine is late 1930’s to mid-1940’s?
We move on to the 1940’s and Camel is still being advertised. Here is a 1947 ad and three, quart size acl bottles. A 24-ounce clear glass dated 1947, a 24-ounce green glass dated ?, and a 32-ounce green glass dated 1940. All three are Glenshaw bottles but could not get the lettercode on the middle bottle, a clear S on the clear glass and definite L on the32.
1947 and I find an advertisement for Colobeer, we can connect this ad to Western by the phone number shown. I do not have a bottle or have even seen an example of Colobeer.
1609 S. Broadway (1904-1908)
2311 S. 7[SUP]th[/SUP] Street (1909-1927)
616 Blow Street (1928-1948)
St. Louis, Missouri
The first I find Western Mineral Water Company in old city directories is 1904, the year of a World’s Fair here in St. Louis. A good time to start a mineral water company as many thirsty travelers would be coming into town.
This 1905 ad lists the officers of the company, location and a phone number.
The Jan. 15, 1905 edition of American Carbonator and American Bottler had a nice article on Western Mineral Water and featured photos of A.H. Spellmeyer and M.B. Bardol.
Here are two early Western Mineral Water bottles in my collection, a bimal aqua glass dating to the 1904 era and machine-made clear glass bottle probably dating to the 1920’s.
1909 and a new location for Western Mineral Water Company
Around 1915 or so a Charles W. Spellmeyer replaces Michael Bardol as vice-pres.
These men will be in charge until 1928 or 1929.
Here is an early paper label bottle for Oh-Joy, this bottle is not in my collection but I would love to have one.
1928 and the last location for Western Mineral Water is shown as well as a plug for Camel Soda. Also, from my collection is a trio of mid-1920 art deco bottles. A 6 ½-ounce, a 7-ounce and a 24-ounce.
1929 and a Frank Schnellmann is now listed as president of Western Mineral Water Co. I am not sure exactly how it all worked out, but Frank is the younger brother of Louis Schnellmann Jr. who is listed as president of the Empire Bottling Co or sometimes advertised as Empire Soda Water Co. Empire is located at 515 Robert Ave just a block away from 616 Blow St. Back in 1909 Louis Schnellmann Sr. started Empire Soda Water Co. So many more twist and turns in this research business. I’ll do a write up of Empire soon.
1934 and another spot for Camel soda to be used as a mixer. I am not real good at dating seltzer bottles but I am guessing mine is late 1930’s to mid-1940’s?
We move on to the 1940’s and Camel is still being advertised. Here is a 1947 ad and three, quart size acl bottles. A 24-ounce clear glass dated 1947, a 24-ounce green glass dated ?, and a 32-ounce green glass dated 1940. All three are Glenshaw bottles but could not get the lettercode on the middle bottle, a clear S on the clear glass and definite L on the32.
1947 and I find an advertisement for Colobeer, we can connect this ad to Western by the phone number shown. I do not have a bottle or have even seen an example of Colobeer.