Memphis Bottling Companies ... and their Historic-Collectible Bottles

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Memphis Bottling Companies

... and their Historic-Collectible Bottles

	The first known glass bottles were produced about 1500 B.C. by the Egyptians. They were formed by shaping molten glass around a form made of sand and clay. The core was then dug out when the glass cooled. Because the process was time-consuming and complex, bottles were expensive and were considered luxury items. By 200 B. C. a different type of glass bottle was being made in China, Persia, as well as in Egypt - made by blowing molten glass into a mold. The Romans adopted this method and it spread throughout Europe. In 1608, the first bottle-making factory in the U. S. was established in Jamestown, Virginia.

Click on small photos to see a large photo...

Evolution of the Soda Bottle...


Ancient Egyptian Method	Mold Blowing Method	Parts of Mold	1/2 of Mold	Press Mold

Glass-blower John L. Mason devised the first glass jar with a screw-on cap in 1858. Mold Blowing gave way to the less expensive method of Press-molding. The bottle-making process first became automated in 1865 with the introduction of a pressing and blowing machine. In 1879 Charles G. Hutchinson patented the "Hutchinson stopper" a replacement for the commonly used cork stoppers. In 1903 Michael Owens revolutionized the industry with his invention of the Owens Bottle Machine. This began the inexpensive, large-scale production of glass bottles. Along with the Crown bottle cap, it helped spur the large-scale carbonated beverage industry as well. By 1920, almost all bottles were produced on Owens machines.


John L. Mason	Mason Jar and Cap	Hutchinson Stopper	Crown Cap	Owens and his machine

The Coca Cola Company introduced the first soda pop bottle in 1915. Several other brands followed, each using a bottle with its own distinctive shape. Standardized soda bottles began in 1934 after technology enabled companies to fire permanent color which made it possible to have names and logos on the bottles.

First Soda Btl

Memphis Bottling Companies began sprouting up all over the city. Many of them were franchises of the big corporations like Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola. Other independent bottling companies grew out of the need to manufacture new products. It was and is Big Business.

Automated Bottling

The bottles from the Bottling companies became the face of the product and needed to jump out at the consumer. The distinctive bottles that were created are now very collectible. A selection of the historic Bottling companies of Memphis are listed alphabetically below, along with some of their bottles and bottle memorabilia ... beginning with the classic "Hutch Bottle" named for the patented stopper that came with the bottle.

Hutch Bottles

Artesian Soda Co. . 173 Jefferson Listed in the Memphis Directory as early as 1887. . .
	1892 Ad	Hutch Btl	Hutch

Barq Bottling Co. . 1152 E. Trezevant Barq Bottling Co dates from as early as 1940 . It now bottles Red Rock cola which was renewed in the 1950s. No other information currently available. (See the Red Rock Cola listing below).
	Red Rock	Barq 1943

Blackberry Cola Bottling . 657 S. Orleans . 322-25 Washington Av . 326 Poplar

Circa 1922-40 . No other Information

Advertising

Bottle

BLUFF CITY BOTTLING . Memphis Bottling Works . Hygeia Bottling . Becker-Hygeia
. 87-89 Vance . 202 Front . 432-434 Main

R. M. Becker was the most prolific bottler in Memphis and he owned the Memphis Bottling Works, going back to 1889. The year 1891 is the first year the company is listed in the Memphis Directories originally as Memphis Bottling Works. In 1894-95 Becker merged his operation with Coan and Harbin under the name of

Bluff City Bottling Works. In 1903 they separated with Becker starting the Hygeia Bottling Works and Coan and Harbin continuing Bluff City Bottling. By 1912, Hygeia was changed to R. M .Becker Hygeia Bottling Works. According to Dennis Smith of "The Kola Wars", Becker had the Memphis franchise to Celery Cola ... and in 1911, Fan Taz bottling.


Hutch Btl	Bluff City	Bluff City	Bluff City	Bluff City	1892 ad	"Koke" Bluff	Koke 1912


Becker-Hygeia	Hygeia	Hygeia	Hygeia	Hygeia	Token	Hygeia Article	1910 Ad

Celery Cola was a celery-flavored soft drink created in 1887 by James Mayfield in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1910 the Pure Food and Drug administration prosecuted the company for unhealthful amounts of cocaine and caffeine in its beverages


1904 Patent	1912 Hygeia	Celery	Celery hat 1908	Celery hat	Celery

Fan Taz was a soft drink manufactured by the Hessig-Ellis Drug Co. of Memphis


Fan Taz ad	Dispenser	Celery Cola Label	Fan Taz ad	1909 Fan Taz ad

P. M. Burgoyne Soda Waters . 85 Beale One of the oldest Memphis bottlers, dating from as early as 1885. The "P. M" stands for "Mrs. Priscilla M. Burgoyne", apparently a widow supporting herself.
		1880s	1880s	1880s

Chase Bottling Co. . 362 Winchester Av.

In 1925 the formula for "Chaser" was created by Memphian Thomas George Chase. It was a lemon-flavored soda that contained lithium citrate, an anti-drpressant. Lithiated drinks were believed to be a curative for indigestion and hangovers. Chaser was introduced as an international brand in 1956 and in 1957 the Double Cola Company bought Chaser Soda. It disappeared as a U. S. brand after that. Chasr made its way back to the U.S. in 2010 ... still owned by the Double Cola Company.

Thomas G. Chase


Chaser	Chaser	Ad 1946	Ad 1946	Ad 1949	Chaser Glass	Lithiated


Chaser today	Chaser cap		Wooden Case 1933	Chaser

Chero-Cola Bottling Co. Nehi . Royal Crown . 618 S. Main .104 Webster Av

Chero-Cola was founded by a grocer in Georgia in 1915. It was the predecessor to Royal Crown Cola (RC). As with most of the colas, the founder was trying to find a replacement for Coca Cola. It only lasted until 1921 when a court ruled that "Cola" couldn't be used in their name. They changed their name to Nehi in 1928 and eventually introduced a new cola named Royal Crown in 1933.

Chero unused label


Btl	Btl	Btl	Chero Cap	Chero Tray	Chero Ad	Chero Blotter


Chero-Cola Building	Chero-Cola Sign	Amethyst	Chero	Employees and Truck	Chero Bottles


Ad 1919	Vintage Ad	Clock	Ad	Metal Sign

Coan & Harbin Co. 202 Front Street

James E. Coan & F. W. Harbin first appear in the 1894 Memphis Directories, listed as Coan & Harbin, Bottlers. They had taken over the old Deihl and Danbury Bottling Co. where, just the year before, Coan was a bookkeepr and Harbin was a traveling salesman. In 1895, they merged with bottler R. M. Becker, forming the Bluff City Bottling Co. In 1904 Bluff City registered a trademark for "Coan & Harbins Koke" and marketed the product for several years. The company was sold around 1910 and the Bluff City name continued until 1916. (See the Bluff City Bottling and the Deihl & Danbury Bottling Co listings)

Coan & Harbin 1892


C & H	C & H	Bluff City	Bluff	B.C. Koke	B.C. Koke	1904 Koke Patent	1909 Congressional

Coca Cola Bottling Co. 98 DeSoto . 256 Washington .499 S. Hollywood St.

Coca Cola was invented in 1886 by John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist. He was actually trying to concoct a headache remedy but once he mixed his syrup with carbonated water, customers couldn't get enough. His bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, coined the Coca Cola name and also wrote out the name in the familiar script which became the signature logo. In 1894 the popular drink was sold in bottles for the first time. By 1899, independent bottling companies were licensed to bottle it. Memphis became an independent bottler in 1902.

Coca Cola Delivery


Hutch	Hutch	Delivery	Bottle History	Bottle History	Coke Amber


Label	1925	Memphis Invitation	1900s	75th	1983	100th	Memphis Plant


Coca Cola Collectibles	Vintage tray	Knife 1920s	Coke Soda	Peppo		Bottle Opener


1900 Ad	1913 Ad	Memphis Coca Cola Bottling Plant 1915

Deihl & Danbury Bottling Co. Lords & Diehl Bottling Co. . Coan & Harbin Co. This company goes back to 1874 and has changed names several times. It was a major producer of Ale, Beer, Cider, and Soda Water in a 5 story building at 202 Front Street. In 1891 James E. Coan was a bookkeeper and F. W. Harbin was a traveling salesman. The next year they would take over the company as Coan & Harbin. (See Coan & Harbin Listing above)
	D & D	D & D


Lords-Diehl '83	L & D 1883	C & H - 1892 \	L-D & D	L - D & D	L & D	L & D	C & H

It's a DILLY Bottling Co. . 2291 S. Third St.

The 1951 Memphis Directory lists this company at 2291 S. Third Street. Jennifer Almond writes that her grandfather, Robert E. Dilatush, owned the company from circa 1948, and W. H. Hutchinson &Son of Chicago designed the bottle and caps. Although the product was "short-lived, it's surprising how many folks still remember this beverage - especially the name. No other information is currently available.


Bottle	Bottle	Cap	Matchbook	Matchbook		Opener


1951 Ad		Original Art		Dilly Location - today

Double Cola Bottling Co. . 362 Winchester In 1924 Charles Little of Chattanooga creates "Marvel Cola" which will become Double Cola. In 1933 he perfects his cola recipe and names it Double Cola because its 12 ounce bottle is twice the size of other sodas at the time. The Memphis Double Cola bottling company dates from 1940.
	Double Cola Ad


Double Cola Bottles	Cap	Outdoor Ad	Delivery	Cases


Treasure Hunt 1950s				Jumbo Grape

Dr Pepper Bottling Co. of Memphis . 763 Madison Av . 988 Jefferson . 921 Raynor

Dr Pepper is another pharmacist invention. Charles Anderton invented it while working at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas. It's the oldest of the major brand soft drinks in America. His customers liked the drink and they began asking for a "Waco". Morrison changed the name to "Dr Pepper" - for unknown reasons. In 1904 Dr Pepper was introduced to America at the St. Louis World's Fair. Memphis began bottling Dr Pepper, circa 1904.

Dr. Pepper Ad


Vintage	Bottles	Seltzer	Seltzer	Ad	6 pack	Case


Caps	Early	Straws	C. Alderton	Clock	193s Delivery

Gay-Ola Bottling Co. . 191 Washington

The Memphis Gay-ola trademark (original name was GLEE-ola) was registered 1911 and they began a very aggressive advertising campaign. Right at the beginning they built an immense volume of business. They developed branch offices and shipping depots in nearly a dozen centers. The Coca Cola Company took notice and quickly brought Gay-Ola to court. The first result was Gay-Ola had to change their trade mark to block letters. Coca Cola kept at it, and Gay Ola won a 2nd time but had to re-design their bottles. Gay-Ola remained popular past 1920.

Gayola Fan


Gayola Bottles	Watch Fob	Bottles	Gayola Ad	Bottle	Opener	Lawsuit

Grapette Bottling Works . The Memphis Address is not known???

The founder of Grapette was Benjamin Tyndle Fooks. In 1925 he left the lumber business and purchased a property in Camden, Arkansas. The next year Fooks purchased a small soft drink bottling operation and a year later, another company nearby. By 1938 he began experimenting with grape flavor. After a couple of years of testing, he achieved the taste he was looking for. The next year Fooks traveled to Chicago and purchased the copyrighted name of "Grapette"

from the Sunset Liquor Company. In the spring of 1940, he put Grapette officially on the market and it was an immediate success. At its peak, Grapette had over 600 bottlers in 38 states. The drink faded in popularity by 1970 and was purchased by the Monarch Co, the bottler of NuGrape. It is still manufactured in foreign countries.


B. T. Fooks	Grapette	Cap	Grapette Bottles	Ad	Temperature


Opoener	Bottle	Ad	Bldg Sign	Receipt Book	Delivery Truck


Grapette Case				1940s Guide

Grapico Bottling Works . 1333 Madison Av Around 1914, Grapico, a new grape drink from New Orleans, opened a Bottling Company in Memphis. President of the company was Louis Rochell, and associates were C. E. Teder and W. S. Routt. In 1917 the company moved to Alabama and is still there.
	Grapico Today


Grapico Btls	Grapico	Grapico	Grapico Sign	Grapico Litho	Grapico Ad

C. J. Hargan & Co . 27 Alabama This company is listed in the 1872 Memphis directories as "Hargan, C. J., widow."
	1876 Ad	Hutch	Hutch	Blob	Blob

J. J. Heinrich Bottling Co . 9-14 Hadden . 12-18 Hadden . 200-206 Rayburn

The firm began in 1854 as P. H. Heinrich & Bro. In 1870 P. H. Heinrich died, and J. J. continued the business. They bottled soda water in the 1880s. According to Dennis Smith of "Koke Wars", Heinrich had the Memphis franchise for "My Coca". See the bottle below "Memphis 10 - My Coca"


Hutch	Hutch	Later Btl	1910 Btl	Hutch	Hutch	"My Coca	J. J. Heinrich article

Home Bottling Works . 460 N. 2nd. Circa 1916-1918 The proprietor was Ike A. Chase and the Home Bottling Company grew out of the Chase Light Co. They manufactured Rye-Ola and a Ginger Ale. According to Dennis Smith of "Koke Wars", Rye-Ola was first bottled by I. C. Lebolt who may have found or sold out to Home Bottling Co.
	Home Article


Rye-Ola	Rye-Ola Dispenser	Bottle	Bottle	Bottle	Bottle	Home Bottling Co	Bottle

Kensler-Waibel Bottling Co. Kensler-Waibel was one of the several German bottlers in Memphis in the early years. No other information.
	Bottle

Liberty Bottling Co. Re-o-Cola . Rainbow . 1332 Florida . 893 S. Third Opened in 1934 by Henry Lotti out of his home on Florida Street. The business thrived and the name changed to Re-o-Cola Bottling. By the 1950s the name changed again to Rainbow Beverages. See Re-O- Cola and/or Rainbow below.
	Henry Lotti	Lotti


Liberty	Liberty	Re-O-Cola Building	Rainbow	Rainbow	Rainbow	Rainbow	Rainbow

Nehi Bottling Co. . 618 S. Main . 234 Jefferson The Chero Cola Company changed name to Nehi in 1928. See the Chero Cola listing ...
	Nehi Ad


Btl	Btl	Cap	Cap	Ad	Ad	Delivery

Nu Grape Bottling Co. . 643-651 Marshall . 175 Pauline

Nu Grappe was founded in 1921 in Georgia and the Memphis Nu Grape Bottling Co dates from 1922. Today, NuGrape is still found in parts of the southeast U.S.m specifically in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, northwest Alabama, and the eastern half of Tennessee. NuGrape is almost impossible to find for sale west or north of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.


Nu Grape Bottles				Today	New Grape Sign		Nu Grape Ad	Sign


1951 Ad	6 Pack	Sign	Ad	Sign	Sign


Delivery		Nu Grape Cap		NuGrape

Orange Crush Bottling Co. . 1333 Madison . 763 Madison . 315 Washington The new Orange Crush plant dates from 1930 and had a capacity of 5,000 cases daily. Joseph Rout was the manager of the plant. The original Orange Crush bottles were brown to "protect the contents from environmental deterioration".
	Trade Show 1926


Btl	Bottles	Clear Btl	Routt	Cap	Cap	Miniature


1960 Ad	1940's Ad	1938 Ad	Old Colony	Mil-K	Vintage Ad	Trade Show 1931

Ozark Fruit Co . 7,8,9 Howard's Row

The Ozard Fruit Co. was in business from 1888 - 1911. The 1888 they are listed in Memphis Directory as Ozark Cider and Vinegar Co on Howard's Row. That listing continues thru 1900 when the address changes to 7,8,9 Howards, Row. In 1903 the name changed to Ozark Fruit Co with Louis Erb, President. In 1905 the address changes to 37,39,41 Union (Howard's Row). with Louis Erb, President. (Same location. Memphis renumbered in 1905). In 1906, The president changes to John Chism. In 1908 the company moves to Corner of W. Butler ... C. N. Churchill, President. In 1909 the Company changes name back to Ozark Vinegar and Cider Co ... John Dunn, President. In 1910 Oscar G. Johnston, President ... Corner W. Butler. 1912 ... No more listings.

Howard's Row today


... Ozark Bottles ...				1905	... Pansy Ginger Ale ...


1892 Cider Vinegar		1905 Ad		Vinegar

Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Memphis - 250-252 E. Calhoun Av . 672 S. Main . 315 Washington

Pepsi was another creation of a pharmacist. In 1893 Caleb Bradham of North Carolina, began serving "Brad's Drink" at his drug store. In 1898 he changed the name to Pepsi-Cola and by 1902 had founded the Pepsi-Cola Co. As demand for the drink gew, Bradham decided it was time to offer Pepsi Cola in bottles. By 1910 there were 240 franchises in 24 states. Pepsi has been in the Memphis area since 1915.

Rare


Btl	Bottles	Delivery	Cap	Fan	Case


Pepsi Cola Bldg.	Pepsi Blue	1908	Pepsi Ad	Pepsi Sign

Rainbow Bottling Co. . 893 S. Third

Liberty Bottling changed name to Rainbow in 1950. Please see the Liberty Bottling listing above ...

Rainbow Bottles


Chocolate Soldier Btls-Ad 1964				Cap	Hula Doola Cap	BBtl	Btl

Red Rock Cola Bottling Co. . 1152 E. Trezevant

Red Rock Cola was founded in 1885 in Georgia. By 1938 it was a leader in the field and by 1947 there were bottlers in 45 of the 47 states. But a major decline began in 1958 and the drink seemed to vanish after 1950. However the Domincan Republic continued to bottle it and the brand had now been revived. In Memphis, Red Rock Cola is now bottled by the Barq Bottling Co. .

1957


Bottles	Red Rock Ad	Themometer	Red Rock Ad	Red Rock Ad	Red Rock Case

J. W. Reinders . 361 Beale

John William Reinders manufactured and bottled Soda Water from 361 Beale circa 1870 to 1880. No other information.


Blob top bottles from J. W. Reinders

Re-O-Cola Bottling Co. . 893 S. Third See the Liberty Bottling Co and/or Rainbow listing above ... The Liberty Bottling Co changed its name to Re-O-Cola Bottling in the mid 40's and moved into the building on 3rd street. By the 1950's the name was changed to Rainbow.
	Bottle	Re-O-Cola Building

Royal Crown Bottling Co. . 234 Jefferson The Royal Crown Bottling Company dates to 1940. In the 1950s RC had a big campaign featuring many major Hollywood actors. See the Chero Cola Bottling Co. listing above ...
	RC Ad


Btl	6 Pack	Caps	Upper 10	Upper 10	RC & Moon Pie	Delivery

7 Up Bottling Co. . 888 Linden

Charles Leiper Grigg worked for Vess Jones and in 1919 invented the drink "Whistle". After a dispute he quit his job and gave "Whistle" to Jones. At his next job, he invented a drink he named "Howdy". This time when he moved on, he took "Howdy" with him. By 1929 he had invented "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda". That name was quickly changed to 7 Up. No one knows why or how he came up with "7 Up". By 1940, 7 Up had become the 3rd most popular and best-selling drink in the world.


Paper Label	Bottle	Bottles	Cap	Modern	7 Up Ad

Tennessee Beverage Co. . 11-13 Butler Av

The Tennessee Brewing Co became The Tennessee Beverage Co during Prohibition (1920-1933). They sold non-alcoholic Goldcrest beer and another non-alcoholic drink named NIB, which were "cereal beverages". This was their method of keeping the Goldcrest name alive during this period. In addition, the plant produced soft drinks, including root beer and Canada Dry Ginger Ale.


Tennessee Beverage Billhead	Bottle	Nib Ad	1921 Ad	Nib Ad	Nib Ad

P. Twohig Bottling. . 202 Vance

Patrick Twohig began as an agent for Fleming Ale circa 1870, at 152 Front St and shortly began his own company bottling Cider Ale and Soda Water at 202 Vance. By 1880, he had stopped the bottling and had a saloon at 301 Second Street.


Assortment of P. Twohig Bottles

Union Bottling Co. . 127 Alabama . 417 Vance . 749 Poplar

The first Union Bottling Works dates from 1892 ... and was part of the B. C. Harrison Co. It's not known if the more recent Union Bottling Co is associated with the original company.


O-Jay	Lime Cola	O-Jay	Hap-EE	Crescent	Chisca	Chisca	Nichol Kola


Graport	Graport Ad	Graport Cap	Metal Sign	1920s	1800's	Steamboat

Whistle Bottling Co. . 303-307 S. Main St.

Charles Grigg worked for Vess Jones. In 1919 he invented a drink he named "Whistle". After a dispute, he quit his job and gave Vess the drink. The Whistle Bottling Co of Memphis was one of many distributions centers for this beverage. The product thrived in other cities but didn't do well in Memphis, lasting only 3 years. Ironically though, the building has survived.

Whistle Bottling Co. 1919


Bottles	Whistle Display	Whistle Ad	Whistle Ad	Delivery truck


Whistle Metal Sign	Caps	Ad	Thermometer	Clock

And...

City Bottling Company/City Bottling Works . Circa 1924-25 . 1099 Jackson Av.

Elk Bottling Company . 820-822 N. 2nd . Circa 1906 . No Information or Memorabilia

Star Bottling Company . Circa 1915 . No Information or Memorabilia

Hertzel-Schlimmer 1860

Kraze Bottling Co.

C. J. H. Kump 1862 - 1870s

American Beverage Co

E. Schroeder & Co

Edward Schroeder began operating in Cairo Illinois in the late 1850s. After selling out to Andrew Lohr, he moved to Memphis before setting up shop in St. Louis. He's listed in business for oneyear although he may have been in business a second season. After 1864, he relocated to East St. Louis Illinois and continued in business until his death when his wife Mary took over. There are embossed bottles that say MRS. E. SCHROEDER.

		Diehl Beverage Company


Bob-O Bottling

Good Grape Bottling Co.

The Good Grape Company was founded circa 1922 by past employees of the Chero-Cola Company. The name was changed to "Seminole Flavor Company" in 1924. No other information.

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