Sodas Branaghan to Brucker

John H. Branaghan-

John H. Branaghan (1856-?) was a liquor dealer in Pawtucket. He was born in Rehoboth, Mass. and learned the jewelry trade in Attleboro.  He moved to Pawtucket in 1889.

In 1891 he was advertising Milwaukee Lager along with ales, wines, and liquors. He was at 17 N. Main St. at the time.

He was at 25 Exchange St. in 1892-93. He was at 64 Broad St. in 1894. He was listed as a bottler in 1893-1900. He was listed with a liquor license in 1895. He was at 7 Railroad Ave. in 1900-1911. 1910 good, 17 emp. 1912 good, 13 emp. Cigars, liquors. He created the J.H. Branaghan Co. in 1912. In 1910-13 he was at 7 Railroad Ave. and 307 Main St. Mentioned in 1920.

(1891-1913)

from 1897 book on Pawtucket

1895 ad

Branaghan Bottling Co.-

In 1913 the Branaghan Bottling Co. was incorporated. John H. Branaghan, George A. Maguire, and David Rosenthal were the partners. Allie Zura was the proprietor at one point. It was at 7 Railroad Ave. & 62 Broad St. in 1914-17. A 1916 factory inspection gave no rating to the company, which had 16 employees. In 1918-1920 the Branaghan Bottling Co. was at 7 Railroad Ave. 1918 excellent, 20 emp. 1919 excellent, 15 emp. 1920 very good, 12 emp. In 1921 a factory inspection listed the Brahaghan Bottling Co. as closed.

(1913-1921)

Aqua blob, clear blob, BIM crown

Bridge Club-

The Bridge Club Beverage Co. was in Providence. In 1936-1940 it was at 23 Chaffee St. It was at 92 Plainfield St. in 1942-1958. Bromius Simon was the owner in 1936. In 1953 Peter N. Panaretos was the owner. The company has 5 employees at the time. In 1959 the Elgin Sales Co. (bottlers) were at the Plainfield St. address. It closed down because it couldn’t compete with the national soda brands.

(1936-1958)

ABM crown, art deco, ACL

Circa 1930s-40s bottle opener

Robert R. Brooks-

Robert R. Brooks Co. Inc. was a liquor dealer in Providence. Robert R. Brooks was listed as a salesman at 46 W. Exchange St. in 1913. This was the location of the American Bottling Co. In 1914-15 he was at 191-193 South Main St. In 1915 he was a partner in creating the Hillside Hotel Co. The Providence Wine Co. was at the S. Main St. address in 1914, and Thomas Grimes & Bro. Inc. were at the same address in 1916.

(1914-1915)

Clear blob, BIM crown

Peter Brucker-

Peter Brucker (1823-1904?) was a brewer in Providence. He ran a lager beer saloon at 17 Market Sq. in 1861. He was at 18-19 Market Sq. in 1871-75. In 1876 he was at 16 Custom House St., which was called the Roger Williams house. From 1880-81 he was at 16 Custom House St., in the basement. Brucker’s Exchange, Custom House St. 1880. He was at 261 Westminster, cor. Moulton hotel in 1882. In 1894-95 he was at 317 Westminster St.

In 1889 he was the proprietor of Brucker’s Hotel, located at 261 Westminster St. He was at 259-1/2 Westminster St. in 1892. In 1897 he was back at 317 Westminster St. as well as 5 Moulton St. He was only listed at 5 Moulton St. in 1898.

(1861-1898)

Squat blob

1866 ad

Sodas Blanchette to Boynton

Timothy (Timothee) Blanchette-

Timothy Blanchette was a liquor dealer in Central Falls, RI. He was first listed in 1890. He was at 352 Broad St. in 1890. He was at 344 Broad St. in 1891-92. He had saloon at 607 Broad St. in 1894. He was at 580 Broad St. in 1892-95. He was listed at 7 Sylvian St. from 1900-04. He was listed as dealing in liquors in 1906. In 1907 he was also running a bowling alley. He was at 606 Broad St. in 1904-1909. 1912 inspection closed (bowling) In 1909-1916 he was at 5 Sylvian St.. He was at 7 Sylvian St. from 1917-1919.

(1890-1920)

Clear blob, BIM crown

Blue Bird Beverages-

This was a brand bottled by the Deep Rock Co. in West Barrington. The Citrus Products Co. of Chicago, which created the Kist and Chocolate Soldier brands copyrighted the Blue Bird brand, a grape flavored soda in 1925.

(ca. 1925-1940)

Art deco crown top

Deep Rock Spring crate, ca. 1930s

Blue Rose Bottling Co.-

The Blue Rose Bottling Co. was established 1906. They were at 537 Eddy St. from 1906-07. Arthur R. Smith was the manager. He was a public notary the year before. They bottled lager beers, ales, wines, and mineral waters. Arthur moved to New York City in 1907.

(1906-1907)

Aqua blob

1906 ad

Bowen & Garrison-

NOT a RI bottle.

Bowentown Rd. is in Bridgeton, NJ

George B. Boyden-

Colonel George Boyden built Crescent Park in 1886 on 50 acres overlooking Narragansett Bay. In 1892, Boyden commissioned Charles I.D. Looff to build a large carousel at the head of a 400-foot pier that received throngs of people from the steamboats that cruised up and down the Bay. Crescent Park became known as "the Coney Island of the East" during this time. The carousel is still operating, has been renovated, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

George Boyden opened Crescent Park by buying the land next to a popular hotel, the 'What Cheer House.' He ran the land as a small resort with some amusements and rides, but it was not until 1893 that the park became the second most popular park in Rhode Island.

The park soon had over 300 acres, many more than Rocky Point and offered at least four carousels, a shore dinner hall, a huge dance hall called the Alhambra, a hotel, and its own cottage resort. Attendance on weekends was estimated to be 50 to 75,000 people, coming by steamer or train. The Hope Land Co. bought the park in 1901.

(1886-1901?)

Aqua blob, clear blob, hutchinson

George W. & Wallace W. Boynton-

George W. and Wallace W. Boynton were bottlers in Providence. Wallace W. Boynton (1840-1915) was born in Temple, NH, and moved to Lawrence Mass when he was 21 (1861) to learn soda business. His brother George joined him, and they were at 95 North Main St. Providence in 1870. This was the former site of Samuel J. Esten, then J.P. Eddy & Co. They were boarding at 61 Randall St. They were listed as soda manufacturers in 1871. The 1872 date on their bottles could mean they officially established their Providence business that year. They were at 112 North Main St. in 1871-75. They had a liquor license in 1876. In 1875 W.W. Boynton was listed as the successor to G.W. & W.W. Boynton. He was at 22 and 24 Peck St. He started to bottle American Ginger Ale in torpedo shaped bottles at this time. W.W. Boynton was at 22 Peck St. in 1877, with no occupation. He went to Northampton that year, but George remained in Providence.

They were succeeded by George P. Harvey in 1877, who was succeeded by Ransford H. Harvey.

(1870-1875) partnership only (1875-1877) only Wallace

Squat blob, torpedo

1871 ad

1875 ad

Sodas Berry Spring to Black Rock

Berry Spring Mineral Water Co.-

The Berry Spring Lithia Water Co. was located in Pawtucket. Donald C. Cattanach built a spring house in 1896 where he bottled “Berry Mineral Water”. That same year Samuel Priest bought the spring. The Berry Spring Lithia Water Co. was established in 1900. Silas B. Havens, Sylvanus Mason, William H. Barclay, Philo E. Thayer, D. Charles Cattanach, and E.L. Freeman were all founding members. It was at 4 Charlton Ave., Pawtucket in 1900-1925. It was first listed in 1900. In 1914 it was called the Berry Spring Still Water Co., and was at 47 Friendship St. Providence. (no?) In 1916 they were listed in the Bellefont section of Pawtucket. It was called the Berry Spring Lithia Water Co. at the time. In 1920 they added a 2 story addition to their building. Benjamin Levin joined the company this year. The spring water was bottled in “almost exclusively” pint and quart bottles, as the owners believed that this “nutritious” water should be sold in bulk to households. In 1927-1930 they were at 81 Beverage Hill Ave. Benjamin Levin was the manager. In 1936-1943 they were at 81-89 Beverage Hill Rd. B. Levin was still the manager. They were still in business in 1947 with 24 employees. White Rock Co. was also at this location. George W. Korper Jr. was the president, and Hyman Fradin was the treasurer. In 1948 they sold out to White Rock Bottling Co. of RI. In 1952 White Rock was bought out by the Cott Bottling Co.

(1896-1947)~

ABM crown top, ACL

Berry Spring building in 1926

1946 letter

B.F.H. Seltzer Co.-

Bernard F. Hirsch bottled seltzer water in Providence. He was listed as a rubber worker in 1899. He was listed as a driver in 1903-1915. He was first listed as a bottler in 1914. He was at 7 Ticknor St. from 1920-1936. In 1936 it was owned by Mrs. Louis Hirsch.

(1914-1936)

ABM crown top

James H. Blackler-

James H. Blackler (1865-1946) was a bottler in Westerly, RI. He bought the establishment of Thomas H. Blackler in 1888. He was at 79 Pierce St. from 1906-1930. The company offered ginger ale and sarsaparilla in 1904-06 ads. He was advertising strawberry soda by 1922. Around 1922 the company became the James H. Blackler Co. Beppo Beaumot was the proprietor in 1922-26. That same year he established the Black Rock Bottling Co. He still continued business as the J.H. Blackler Co. Angelo Beaumont was the proprietor in 1933-35. In 1952 John Beaumont was listed as a bottler at this address. He was not listed in 1936.

(1888-1922) Blackler (1922-1935) Blackler Co.

Squat blob, aqua blob, BIM crown top, ABM crown top, seltzer?

1906 ad

Thomas H. Blackler-

Thomas H. Blackler (1849-1890) was a bottler in Westerly, RI. He was partners with James S. Hazard in 1875, James left Westerly in 1877. He was listed as a sarsaparilla manufacturer. He was on Pierce St., near Pleasant St. in 1875-1881. He was listed as Thomas Blackler & Co. successors to Harvey and Hazard in 1884. He was at Pierce St. in 1884-87. He sold out to James H. Blacker and John F. Perry in 1888. He was still listed in 1889 however.

1889 bottler

(1875-1889)

Squat blob

1884 ad

Black Rock Bottling Co.-

The Black Rock Bottling Co. was started by Beppo Beaumont, proprietor of the James H. Blackler Co. in 1922. Angelo Beaumont was the proprietor in 1935. It was not listed in 1936.

(1922-1935)

ABM crown

1923 ad

1934 ad

Sodas Bare Rock to Bell

Bare Rock Spring Soda Co.-

The Bare Rock Spring Soda Co. was located in Centredale. In 1919-1936 it was on Putnam Ave. In 1922 they offered lemon & lime flavored soda as well as sarsaparilla. It was called the Bare Rock Soda Co. in 1925 (Spring again in 1926). Philip LaTravers was the proprietor in 1926. By 1936 the company was now the Bare Rock Spring Co., Inc., and it was owned by John A. and Thomas Ottaviano. It was called the Bare Rock Spring Bottling Co. in 1938. It was at 195 Putnam Ave. from 1938-1940. The address was 252 Putnam Ave. (Graniteville) in 1939-1944. They were bought out by the Rose Beverage Co. around 1965.

(1919-1936) Bare Rock Spring Soda Co. (1936-1965) Bare Rock Spring Bottling Co.

BIM crown, ABM crown

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

G. Frank Batchelor-

George Frank Batchelor succeeded his father, George by 1898. He took over the bottling establishment of Amos Marshall. He was at rear 38 River Rd. in 1898-1911. 1907, he was at 38 River St. 1908 excellent, 5 emp. Rear 80 River Rd. in 1912-13. He established the Batchelors Bottling Works by 1911. He died in 1909 from a complication of typhoid fever and pneumonia.

(1898-1913)

BIM crown top

George Batchelor-

George Batchelor (1850-1913) opened his own grocery in 1880. He was listed as a clerk at 20 Bernon St. in 1881. He was listed as a grocer at 86 S. Main St. in 1886. He was presumably the founder of the Batchelors Bottling Works empire. He was known as George Batchelor & Son, grocers in 1894. They were at 166 S. Main St. at the time. His son, Frank, took over the company by 1904, and he died in 1913. George was better known as being the mayor of Woonsocket from 1897-1899.

(188?-1900?)

Clear blob

George Batchelor

1886 ad

Bell Bottling Co.-

Emanuel G. Tsgarakis was a grocer at 73 Hope St. in 1915. In 1923 the company was at 218 Transit St. In 1924-26 the Bell Bottling Co. was at 73 Hope St. In 1929-1932 they were advertising Liberty Bell Ginger Ales. In 1929-1953 the company was at 115 Gano St. The owners were Gus Tsagarakis, Speros Karambelas, and Bernt T. Voigt in 1936. They were not listed in 1954-56, but they back at their old address in 1956-1960. In 1960 Berry Spring Beverages Inc., Liberty Club Inc., and Ritz-E Beverage Co. were all at this location. None of these companies were listed in 1961. Only the Bell Bottling Co. was listed in 1962. They were still in business in 1963.

(1923-1953, 1956-1963)

ABM crown top, art deco

1929 ad

Sodas Anthony to Ashworth

Edward Anthony-

Edward Anthony (1829-1863) was a partner of David G. Hall. They were known as Hall & Anthony in 1853-54. They were soda manufacturers in the museum building, Exchange Hotel in Providence. In 1856 Anthony & Arnold had a bottling establishment at cor. Pine and Richmond Sts. In 1857 Anthony & Fenner were dealing in wines and liquors at 75 Pine St. He moved to Providence in 1858. In 1860-61 he was dealing in wholesale liquors at 44 Exchange Place. He ran a saloon at 229 High St. in 1861.

(1853-1861)

Possibly RI, squat soda, iron pontiled and smooth base

1856 business directory listing

Anthony Bottling Works-

The Anthony Bottling Works was located in Anthony, RI. The Anthony Bakery was founded in 1908, and the Bottling Works in 1922. It was first listed in 1925. It was on Washington St. in 1929-1933. In 1930 the Beverage Blue Book places it on Boston St. In 1934-1940 they were at 19 Boston St. In 1936-38 it was located at 19-21 Boston Ave. In 1938 it was called the Anthony Bakery & Bottling Works. Antoni Szymkowicz was the owner and manager. They were last listed in 1944. In 1946 the Boston Bottling Co. was at 17 Boston St. In 1949-1953 it was called the Anthony Bottling Co. and was at 19 Boston St. The Falcon Club Beverage Co. was also at this address.

(1922-1944) Works

ABM crown

1944 ad

Arnolds Bottling Works-

Arnolds Bottling Works was first listed in 1911. It was on Allen, cor. Potter Ave. that year. It was later located on Main St. in Riverpoint, RI and was sometimes called Arnold Bottling Works. William H. Arnold was still the proprietor in 1920. In 1920 it was listed as operating without a permit. In 1922 they were making strawberry flavored soda. West Warwick was incorporated in 1913, but it is clear that the company kept the location of River Point on their bottles for a number of years after this. In 1924 A. & W. Prolux were the proprietors. In 1926-1933 they were at 1091 Main St. In 1927 A. & W. Proulx were still the proprietors. There is an example embossed West Warwick. By 1936 it was the Kent Club Beverage Co.

(1911-1933)

ABM crown

1920 ad

1924 ad

William H. Arnold-

William H. Arnold was a liquor dealer in Riverpoint, RI. He was a liquor dealer in Arctic in 1881. A tax book called him a special constable under the liquor law. In 1889 William H. Arnold was listed as the deputy sheriff in Riverpoint. In 1898 he had a liquor license in Riverpoint. In 1890-98 he was listed in Olneyville. In 1900-1911 he was selling liquors in Riverpoint. He established the Arnold Bottling Works around 1911. I believe he used the works to bottle soda, and bottle liquors under his name. He was not listed under liquor dealers in 1913. A 1916 factory inspection stated he had 8 employees. A 1919 inspection graded him as excellent with 10 employees. A 1920 inspection graded him as excellent with 8 employees. In 1922 he was still listed as a bottler on Allen St. That same year a factory inspection graded the company as excellent with 8 employees.

(1898-1922)

Clear blob, BIM crown

1915 ad

Ashton Bottling Co.-

The Ashton Bottling Co. was located in Ashton, RI. It was only listed in 1896. It was on Scott Rd.

(1896)

Clear blob

Ashworth & Jackson-
Edward Ashworth & John Jackson were mineral water bottlers in Lonsdale, RI. They were listed in 1887. Edward Ashworth was listed alone from 1890- 1892. E. Ashworth & Co. was listed from 1893-1897. He was still advertising XLCR Mineral Waters in 1897. He was at 111 Arnold St. in 1893-95. They were not listed together in the Polk directories, but they are in the RI Register. They used a Codd soda with the 1873 patent date. This means they were likely around before 1878, when the patent was reissued.

1895 ad after Jackson left the company

(1887)
Codd bottle

Sodas Acme to American

Acme Bottling Co.-

The Acme Bottling Co. was first listed in 1919 in Providence. Benjamin S. Boss was manager of the Liberty Stores Co. Inc. at 361 Manton Ave. in 1918. In 1920-25 the company was at 361 Manton Ave. They were listed as soda manufacturers. At one point they formed a franchise with the QuaKo Bottling Company.  This company was started in 1914 as QuaKola, but Coca-Cola filed a lawsuit, forcing them to change the name to QuaKo in 1917. They originated in either Philadelphia or Wilmington, Del.  The Acme Bottling Co. was no longer listed in 1926.

(1919-1925)~

ABM crown

A QuaKo Bottle distributed by Acme Bottling Co.

Aetna Bottling Works-

The Aetna Bottling Works were located in East Greenwich. Albert H. Hall was the proprietor in 1895-96. The company was in the Arcade Building on Main St. The Fauly Bros. were the proprietors in 1897. They were advertising carbonated beverages of all flavors. The company was listed in 1903-05. It is interesting to note that the Aetna Bottle & Stopper Co. was located in Providence, so this small venture is rather mysterious. A James Fauly was located in East Greenwich in 1890. He is listed as a farmer in 1909.

Clear blob (Aetna style)

(1895-1905)

1897 ad

John Alexander Co.-

The J. Alexander Co. was located in Newport, RI. In 1890-95 John was running a saloon at 98 Levin St. The company was at 22 State St. from 1898-1904, selling liquors. In 1904 he was also running the Germania Hotel. He was at 20-22 State St. in 1901. He was at 20 State St. in 1902-09. He was called J. Alexander & Co. in 1908. He was at 20 Kinsley’s Wharf in 1908-09. He was listed as a bottler at the same address in 1910. He was listed in a 1916 tax book. He was at 18 W. Pelham St. from 1912-18. He was at 18-20 W. Pelham St. in 1920-21. He was selling soft drinks at the time.

(1895-1921) Co. only

BIM crown

1912 ad

Alhambra Bottling Co.-

The Alhambra Bottling Co. was located in Providence. In 1903-04 it was at 269 Thurbers Ave. William H. Condon and John H. Drury were the owners in 1903. John had previously worked for the American Bottling Co. William F. O’Brien, a liquor dealer, was at this address in 1904-05.

(1903-1904)

Clear blob

American Bottling Co.-

In 1902 the American Bottling Co. was incorporated. It was run by James DiOrio, Domenico Piccirillo, and Paul Castiglioni. They mainly dealt in liquors, mineral waters, and olive oils. They were at 27 Mathewson St. in 1902-06. In 1905 there was another certificate of incorporation. The founders were Angelo Pellini, Domenico Carlone, Franceso DiSororo. It appears James DiOrio left the company to start his own bottling business, the Eagle Bottling Co. Their barn was broken into in 1905. A black mare and a buggy were stolen. They were at 46-50 W. Exchange St. in 1906-1910. In 1907, 08 and 1909 factory inspections graded the company as very good with 15 employees. They were manufacturing beer and liquors. A 1910 inspection graded them as very good, with 49 employees. In 1912 the employees of the company enjoyed an outing which drew a significant crowd. That same year a fire cost the company $2,000. A 1912 inspection graded the company as very good with 15 employees. In 1911-14 the company was at 46-52 West Exchange St. In 1913 Paul Castiglioni was the manager and treasurer of the company. They were listed as importers at West Exchange, Fountain, and Union Sts. It was called the largest concern of its kind in Rhode Island. That same year they issued a patent of sorts for a certain kind of whiskey. In 1911-1918 they were at 46 West Exchange St. A 1914 ad stated they were wholesale liquor dealers who bottles wines, beers, and mineral waters. In 1916 a factory inspection graded them as very good with 55 employees. They were at 46-50 W. Exchange St. that year. In 1917 they occupied the entire block bounded by Fountain St., West Exchange St., Union St., and Sabin Sts. In 1918 a factory inspection graded them as very good with 62 employees. A 1918 inspection graded them as very good with 60 employees, and a 1919 inspection very good with 57 employees. In 1919 the company had locations on Fountain and W. Exchange Sts. In 1917-1920 the company was at 14 West Exchange St. The telephone directory has them at 46 West Exchange St. A 1920 inspection graded them as very good with 28 employees. In 1921 the company obtained permission to erect a marquise over a sidewalk at 25 Fountain St. That same year a factory inspection listed them as closed. They were not listed in 1922. There was an inconclusive mention of the company in 1923.

(1902-1921)

Clear blob, BIM crown, ABM blob, ABM crown (jug)

1905 ad

Introduction

Welcome to my second blog of the history of RI bottles.  All of this information was painstakingly researched throughout online archives and libraries.  I would appreciate it if this information is not used/borrowed without giving credit (you can say your source is RIBottleguy or TaylorsRIbottleblog).  Thank you for your understanding.

This research category includes beer, mineral water, and soda bottles from RI. I was surprised to see how many of these bottles contained liquor. Only bottles that have embossing are included, except in a few cases where ACLs are mentioned.

Each company listing will include a bottle type chart, which helps date the time of operation of the company. Age ranges are approximate. It is arranged by age as follows:

Open pontiled squat- 1840s-50s

Iron Pontiled squat- ca. 1845-1870

Squat blob- ca. 1860-1880s

Aqua blob- 1870s-1900 (some are later)

Clear blob- 1890s-1920

BIM crown- 1895-1920

ABM crown- 1910-1950s

ACL- 1937-1980s

Seltzer- varies, but mainly 1910s-1950s

Some of the goals of this research are:

To determine the years of operation of bottling companies or bottlers

To determine company successions, owners, and locations

To determine what these companies produced (ex. Soda, mineral water, or liquors etc.)

Dates of known operation will be in parentheses. They display only the known age range, not the possible age range. In the cases of some machine made bottles, the date code is embossed on the front, heel, or base. These dates will have “bottle” after them. If the company was known under different names, only the name on the bottle will be used in the dates of known operation.

You will notice a lot of variations in the addresses of some companies. Prior to a certain date, they were not “set in stone” as they are now. Quite often a building at the same location could have 3-5 different addresses over the years.