Mester Bottling Co, Springfield IL

Anyone know the years of operation for Mester Bottling Co? Can't find it anywhere. I have a wooden crate from 1938 (also with Hires Root Beer so they obviously bottled Hires) and a bottle so hoping to get some history.

 

You're right re Hires.

Debora

 

Henry Mester died in 1946 and his obituary states "He was the owner of the Mester Bottling Co., 317 North Seventh street, for the last 30 years." so 1916 to 1946 a possible window. However, they do appear to have closed for a period at the end of that range due to a national sugar shortage that effect bottlers throughout the country.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133017080/henry-mester

Debora

 

Ah, this is helpful. From a Memories of Old Springfield Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/5159854613/search/?q=Mester

"... Henry Mester took over Chero-Cola's local operation somewhere around 1924, first under the old Chero-Cola Bottling name and then under his own. When Henry died in 1946, his obit said he had owned the bottling company for 30 years, but the farthest back I can trace the company from newspaper clips is that 1924 takeover. His daughters kept the business going for a couple more years after Henry's death, but it appears to have folded in 1949 or 1950. Over the years, Mester bottled Chero-Cola, Coca Cola, Hires Root Beer, Cliquot Club ginger ale, and a number of other soda flavors."

Debora

 

Maybe someone on this Facebook pages can help. One poster found the obituary for the owner of Mesters. There's probably info in the obit.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mem...XMayjz1Ed0E88mT2TeCiFJUPkSLA3lhsdx0jQjLk&_rdr

 

Debora beat me to it.

 

Thank you!