Alamogordo News April 21, 1910

Location of Weigele's New Store - Sanford Fire Insurance Map, 1911

      An additional area of interest, at 811 Delaware Ave., is marked "BOTTLE STORAGE' on the 1911 Sanborn Fire Insurance map.  The lot was originally purchased by George Jr. for $800.00 on October 15, 1908 and sold to his father on May 5, 1911 for "One Dollar and other valuable consideration [sic]."  This building was probably used by Weigele in connection with bottling Weigele's Pop and eventually grew into the first home of the Alamogordo Bottling Works (Stanley 1963:8; NMSBD 1911-12, 1913-14; Otero County Deed Records, b. 23, p. 601- 602; Sanborn Maps, 1911).
 

First Location of Alamogordo Bottling Works - Sanford Fire Insurance Map, 1911

     The plant only remained at the Delaware Ave. location as long as the Weigele family owned it.  George Weigele, Jr. was listed as proprietor of the Alamogordo Bottling Works in 1913, but he sold the plant to Jerry M. Johnson about the first of April, 1914 (Otero County NewsApril 3, 1914).  Johnson was born in Illinois in 1876.  He was 38 years old when he bought Alamogordo Bottling Works and listed his employment in the 1920 census as "Retail Merchant[,] Soda Water."  Johnson and his wife, Emma, had four children as of 1920:  Julia, 21, a telephone operator; Edwin, 17, a drug store clerk; Wilma, 13; and Jerry, 12, both in school (14thU. S. Census, 1920; NMSBD 1915).

     Johnson moved the bottling works to the Oliver Building, 916 Pennsylvania Ave., shortly after he gained control of the operation, and it remained there until 1930.  Johnson, as well as later owners of Alamogordo Bottling Works, rented the space on Pennsylvania Ave. (Otero County News April 3, 1914; Sanborn Maps, 1921, 1930). [A thorough search of Otero County Deed Records and Otero County Tax Rolls failed to reveal property owned by bottling works owners:  Johnson, Karosen, or Pharr.  Rose owned residential property but not the lot occupied by Alamogordo Bottling Works.]  Johnson ran the plant until 1920 when he sold it to L. H. Karosen (NMSBD 1915-1921).
 

Second and Final Location of Alamogordo Bottling Works - Sanford Fire Insurance Maps, 1921

     Unlike his predecessor, Johnson had a bit of competition in the form of Woodlawn Bottling Co. from El Paso.  Although it is currently unknown when Woodlawn established a branch in Cloudcroft, it was certainly in place by 1914.  Scott B. Williams, Woodlawn's Cloudcroft agent, advertised the branch as "Manufacturers of Soda Water, Seltzer, Ginger ale, Jersey Cream and all kinds of carbonated and mineral waters," along with Oliver Salad Oils and Oliver Bluing.  The ads ran until April 5, 1919, although Williams' name was dropped after January 19, 1917 (Weekly Cloudcrofter May 15, 1914)

     Sometime between August 12 and August 19, 1920, Johnson sold the bottling works to L. H. Karosen, "better know to the ball fans as 'Lefty' Carson."  An inveterate baseball player, Karosen had moved to Alamogordo from Kansas City in July "to pitch for the local nine."  He became "so impressed with our city and climate that he has decided to become one of our permanent residents" (Alamogordo News August 19, 1920).  Karosen advertised the rest of that year, calling the plant Alamo Bottling Works and claiming the company to be "Manufacturers of Highest Grade of Sodas in all flavors (Under New Management)."  He noted that he sold "Cool and refreshing Beverages–Ideal for Every Occasion of family use."  To show where his real interest lay, he signed the ad "L. H. Karosen, Proprietor (Pitcher of Alamo Baseballt [sic] Team)" (Alamogordo News August 26, 1920).
 

Alamogordo News August 19, 1926

     Karosen was apparently far-sighted, for, in June 1921, a newspaper advertisement for Alamogordo Bottling Works showed a bottle of Coke and recommended that the readers, "Drink Coca-Cola in Bottles[,] Delicious and Refreshing."  The plant further offered "7 other Fruit Drinks" and suggested that the public, "Buy by the Case" (Alamogordo News June 9, 1921).  Although the first ad was placed in June, Karosen was not officially contracted as a distributor with Coca-Cola until August 6, 1921.  Alamogord Bottling Works thus became the city's first Coca-Cola franchise agent (Letter from Kimberly D. Russell, Consumer Affairs Specialist, The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, Georgia, March 12, 1998).  The seven "other fruit drinks" were offered in embossed bottles (see bottle section) that may also have had a paper label.  Despite his wisdom in bottling Coca-Cola, Karosen sold out the following year (1922) to D. R. Pharr (NMSBD 1922-1924). 
 

Alamogordo News June 9, 1921

     On June 8, 1922, Pharr first advertised Chery Blossom Soda and Coca-Cola, and "a full line of soft drinks."  Along with soft drinks, Pharr sold Jack's Beer and Budweiser Beer (Since Prohibition had gone into effect in New Mexico in 1918, he obviously meant cereal beverages or near-beers.  Alcohol consumption would not return until 1933).  He bragged that his "case rate [was the] same to all" (Alamogordo News, June 8, 1922).  At this point, Alamogordo Bottling Works was only open during the hotter parts of the year.  On April 9, Pharr announced that "the Alamogordo Bottling Works of Alamogordo, N. Mex., will open for [the] season on April 10th."  He offered "a full line of soda water, cereal beverages and Coca Cola" and guaranteed that every bottle would be of the highest quality (Alamogordo News, April 9, 1923).  Despite his announcement, Pharr was a short-term owner and sold out to A. B. Rose a few days later.
 

Alamogordo News, June 8, 1922	Alamogordo News, April 9, 1923

     Rose had lived in Alamogordo for the decade prior to his purchase of the bottling works shortly after Pharr's opening ad on April 9.  He had previous bottling experience and had overhauled the plant's machinery in preparation for the 1923 season.  Rose ordered his own bottles and introduced Delaware Punch, a drink previously unavailable in the area.  His assistant was Earl Parker, who had "gained considerable adeptness in the business in the employ of two former proprietors" [probably L. H. Karosen and D. R. Pharr] (Alamogordo News, April 19, 1923).  Rose continued to sell Coca-Cola along with "Ginger Mint Julip and all fruit flavors" (NMSBD 1924).  He informed the public that "The Alamogordo Bottling Works opened for the season on Wednesday, April 18th under new management.  We will manufacture a full line of soft drinks and have several specialties which will be introduced" (Alamogordo Times, April 19, 1923).  The company's franchise extended to both Otero and Linclon Counties (Alamogordo Times May 17, 1923). 
 

Alamogordo Times, April 19, 1923

     On May 5, 1927 Rose announced that Alamogordo Bottling Works was "Now open for the season [-] All common flavors in Soda Water are being bottled daily[.] Order a case today The most healthful and refreshing drinks for hot weather (Alamogordo News May 5, 1927).  He followed that with his most prolific ad which stated, "Don't make a bottle of temptingly flavored and highly healthful carbonated water an EVENT.  Make it a regularly enjoyed pleasure in your home.  Alamo Bottling Works Beverages, soda water, ginger ale, fruit juices and tonics are to be had in case deliveries for home consumption.  Buy it by the case.  Take a case home this week.  Only 75¢."  A drawing in the ad showed a high-topped case with 15 bottles in three rows of five, an unusual configuration (Alamogordo News May 12, 1927).  Although he sold the bottling works in 1928, Rose remained in Alamogordo until his death on January 24, 1938 (Funeral Records, Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home, Alamogordo). 
 

Alamogordo News May 5, 1927	Alamogordo News May 12, 1927

 Apparently Rose discontinued Coca-Cola at some point.  An ad in the News from May 12 to September 1, 1927, announced that the Alamogordo Ruidoso Truck Line, under the proprietorship of Everett Stout, was involved with "All Kinds of Hauling."  "Also," the ad proclaimed, the company was "Distributor for Coca-Cola, Sodas for Alamogordo[,] Carizozo, Tularosa[,] and Ruidoso."  The ad was accompanied by a drawing of a hobble-skirt, Coca-Cola bottle (cf. Alamogordo News May 12, 1927).  By 1929, Bennett's Truck Line advertised that they were "Agents for the famous Coca-Cola."  Bennett's offered "Daily Service Between El Paso - Alamogordo - Tularosa" and also included a drawing of a hobble-skirt bottle (Alamogordo News August 1, 1929).  Rose's successor in Alamogordo Bottling Works never advertised Coca-Cola, although Alamogordo's final independent bottler carried the product at least during the early 1930s.

     According to the Alamogordo News (August 23, 1928), "A deal was closed this week, whereby Israel L. Cregg of Pueblo, Colo., purchased the Alamo Bottling Works of A. B. Rose, owner for the past several years.  New machinery will arrive soon, and preparations are being made for the season's business."  Despite the use of a full name in the article, the owner was recorded in other places (including his 1929 ads) as E. L. Craig (NMSBD 1928-1929).  Craig changed the name of the operation from Alamogordo Bottling Works to Crystal Bottling Co. but also referred to the plant as Crystal Bottling Works.  He invited the public to "Drink Crystal Sweets" and to Order a case from your grocer today" (Alamogordo News May 3, 1928).  In preparation for the 1929 4th of July celebration, he stated that the plant was "equipped to take care of all orders —large or small.  Order Now For The Fourth."  Craig noted that the business was located on "Pennsylvania Avenue, near Tenth Street" (Alamogordo Advertiser June 18, 1929).  Craig also advised his public to "Try a bottle of new HAPPYWINE A REAL KOLA DRINK" (Alamogordo Advertiser August 22, 1929).  He sold the operation to Thomas J. O'Conor in 1930 (Alamogordo News March 17, 1932, June 20, 1946).

Alamogordo News May 3, 1928

     Although the original location of Alamogordo Bottling Works was probably at 811 Delaware Ave., it was moved in 1914 when J. M. Johnson acquired the business.  Johnson relocated the plant to 916 New York Ave. where it remained until 1930.  When O'Conor became owner of the Crystal Bottling Co. in 1930, he bought the property across the street from the heirs of G. B. Oliver, changed the name to Crystal Beverage Co., and moved the plant.

     Virtually nothing is known about Weigele's Pop except that it was first advertised in Alamogordo around 1910.  It is probable that Weigele offered the popular fruit flavors of the time including grape, orange, lemon, and lime.  The bottles were of the typical plate mold embossed style of the early 20th century.

     Thus far, no bottles have been found from this period.  It is very likely that Johnson used generic bottles with paper labels.

     L. H. Karosen bottled his seven fruit flavors in embossed bottles, although he may have included a paper label.  The manufacturer apparently made a mistake that Karosen chose to live with: the bottles are all embossed F. H. Karosen.  Although Karosen was the owner who initiated the Coca-Cola franchise in Alamogordo, no bottles (either the "Christmas Coke" of 1923 or the In U. S. Patent Office variety that followed) from the period have been found.  Either Karosen ordered his product already bottled from El Paso, or he used bottles without the city/state designation on the base.

     Pharr carried Coca-Cola and Cherry Blossom soda along with "a full line of soft drinks."  He also offered "Jack's Beer and Budweiser Beer," both near-beers or cereal beverages despite his use of the word "beer" (Alamogordo News, July 6, 1922).  Just before he sold the plant, he offered "a full line of soda water, cereal beverages and Coca Cola" and guaranteed that every bottle would be of the highest quality (Alamogordo News, April 9, 1923).  The cereal beverages probably referred to both Jack's and Budweiser "beer."  Thus far, I have neither seen nor heard of any bottles from D. H. Pharr.  His containers may have been generic with paper labels.

     Like his immediate predecessors, Rose bottled Coca-Cola, and he introduced Deleware Punch to the area.  In addition, he sold ginger ale, lemon, orange, peach, grape, cream soda, and cereal beverages (Alamogordo News August 30, 1923).  By 1924, he added "Ginger Mint Julip and all fruit flavors" (NMSBD 1924).  As of April 19, 1923 (Alamogordo News), he had "sent in orders for a larger equipment of bottles and will endeavor to have 1000 cases of bottles available in a short time."  Unfortunately, none of these seem to have survived.  It is possible that he used generic bottles with paper labels.  During the last year of his ownership, Rose apparently lost or discontinued the Coca-Cola franchise; newspaper ads show that the product was hauled in by various truck lines.

      Craig offered "HAPPYWINE A REAL KOLA DRINK" from August 22, 1929 to August 29, 1930 (cf. Alamogordo Advertiser August 22, 1929).  He also called his drinks "Crystal Sweets" (Alamogordo News May 3, 1928).  Currently, I have found no information about the bottles used by E. L. Craig.

 To my knowledge, only a single shell (wooden case) from Alamogordo Bottling Works has survived.  The shell is painted a light, almost pastel green with black stenciled letters that state ALAMOGORDO/BOTTLING WORKS/ALAMOGORDO N. M. on each long side.  The shell measures 41.0 cm. in length, 27.5 cm. in width, and 10.5 cm. in height.  There is surprisingly little variance in the measurements.  The shell is constructed from five boards: two boards 0.8-1.0 cm. thick on each long side; two boards ca. 2.0 cm. thick on the two short sides with ca. 8.0-2.0 cm. handle cut into the upper portions of the boards; and a single 41.0x24.5x0.8 cm. plywood board as a base.  It contains no internal spacers of any kind.

     The shell is surprisingly small in comparison with later shells.  Part of the difference is explained by the lack of spacers.  Even the simple two board dividers that create four rectangular spaces for six-pack containers add extra size to the outside dimensions.  The more complex, twenty-four hole shells require even greater outside dimensions relative to the size of the bottles.  The inside dimensions of the shell are 25.6x37.2 cm.  With no other constraints (e.g. cardboard for 6-pack containers), both of the known Alamogordo Bottling Works bottles, Weigele (6.1 cm. in diameter) and Karosen (5.8-6.0 cm. in diameter), would have fit comfortably into the case.
Unfortunately, that gives us no clue as to when the shell was used.  It could have been in use any time during the 18-year tenure of the company (1910-1928).