What Can You Tell Me About Batchelor's Better Beverages?

[TRG3406]

I can't find any information about this bottle's history. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[M.C.Glass]

There was a Batchelor's Beverages in Woonsocket, RI. They advertised their drinks with thermometers. Mostly a little later than the 1925 date your bottle carries. This FB group discusses their history here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/269112089770353/permalink/1450454371636113/

 

[M.C.Glass]

In case you don't have FB
Batchelors Bottling Works-
Frank Batchelor created the Batchelors Bottling Works around 1911. It was located at rear 38 River St. in 1911-12. A 1916 factory inspection graded the establishment as excellent with 6 employees. It was at rear 80 River Rd. in 1913-16. A 1920 inspection graded it as very good with 6 employees. The address was 80 River Rd. Woonsocket from 1916-1940. They offered sarsaparilla, birch beer, strawberry, ginger ale, and cream flavored soda. It was called Batchelors Bottling Works, Inc. as early as 1927. They were manufacturing alcoholic beverages at that time. In 1954 the company became Batchelor’s Beverages Inc. In 1956 the B.L.T.M. Bottling Co. Inc. was at 80 River Rd. Batchelor’s Beverages wasn’t listed again until 1972-79. The L. & M. Bottling Co. was still at the same location (80 River St.).
(1911-1953) (1954-1970s)
BIM crown top, ABM crown top, ACL

Linda Lemay Oct 26, 2016

 

[TRG3406]

Wow! Thanks for the information!!!
I have been getting nowhere looking for "Better" in the name, and while this source you so generously shared with me doesn't mention it either, everything else seems about right. This could be the connection I'm looking for...many thanks!!!

 

[RIBottleguy]

Hi, just wondering where the bottle was found (what state), and what trademark is on the bottom? I collect RI bottles and have never seen this style before. I suspect it may be from another Batchelors company.

 

[hemihampton]

Here's a 1906 Listing for his Bottling Works in the Directory. LEON.

 

[hemihampton]

Here's a 1909 Ad. after Frank died in 1909 W.A. Batchelor took over. LEON.

 

[CanadianBottles]

Looks like it may be from Canon City, Colorado. The local museum has a crate from the company https://rgmhc.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/C148B5E0-478B-4A12-94BC-243456921210 and the city was definitely home to Batchelor's Better Milk https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/color-2-pint-milk-bottle-batchelors-4558509757 I guess they were involved in both milk and soda bottling? That's a fairly unusual combination, I'm not sure I've ever seen a company which bottled both before.

I'm still not entirely convinced that the two are the same company though, I can't find any other record of the dairy bottling soda, and the museum bought the crate from a theme park/film set which was being shut down, so hard to say where they'd gotten it from originally.

 

[hemihampton]

I don't think the wooden Crate & Milk is from the same company?

 

[CanadianBottles]

I don't think the wooden Crate & Milk is from the same company?

Yeah I'm leaning towards that as well. The museum seems to think it is, but there's a good chance they're just wrong on that one. I found a writeup of the history of the dairy and there's no mention of bottling soda. I've been trying to find any other Batchelor's company but haven't had any luck. The Woonsocket Batchelor's used the name Batchelor's Unexcelled Beverages on one of their bottles, that's pretty similar but it seems odd that they'd give up the more alliterative Better Beverages name in favour of that. I'm very curious about where OP found the bottle, that would give some clue to go off of, especially if it was found somewhere in the vicinity of either Rhode Island or Colorado.