Blobtop Sodas
J.N.GERDES / S.F. / MINERAL WATER
TOLENAS / SODA / SPRINGS
OWEN CASEY / EAGLE SODA WORKS
HILL & WITT / DAVENPORT / IOWA
BAY CITY SODA WATER / Co / S.F

J.N.GERDES / S.F. / MINERAL WATER
Markota p. 36
SHAPE: 8 Sided
COLOR: Aqua
LOCALITY: San Francisco, CA
CIRCA: 1873-1 877
RARITY: Scarce
HISTORY: John N. Gerdes first appeared in the soda water business in the 1860s as a driver for the California Soda Works. Gerdes apparently did not like the idea of working for someone else, because in 1873 he was listed as being the proprietor of the San Francisco Soda Works. In 1877 the company was taken over by Henry Gerdes (apparently a son) and Wililam Bruning. This partnership lasted until 1880, at which time William Bruning bought out Henry Gerdes, who then became a seaman. There was no further mention of John N. Gerdes in the soda or mineral water business after 1877, however from 1883 through 1886, he was listed as being in the cider making business.
bought by Lila at Las Vegas Bottle Show, Feb. 1995 from Bob Barton

TOLENAS / SODA / SPRINGS
REVERSE:TOLENAS / SODA / SPRINGS
Markota p. 104
COLOR: Aquas
LOCALITY: San Francisco, CA
CIRCA: 1885-1906
RARITY: Common
HISTORY: These noted springs were located about five miles north of the town of Suisun, in Solono County, adjoining the famous Tolenas Onyx quarries on the Tolenas or Armijo's Rancho. These springs were easily reached by rail from San Francisco or Sacramento to Suisun, then by an easy stage ride over a good level road. The springs had a local reputation for over thirty years, and in 1885 the water was bottled and sold extensively all over the state. The water was endorsed by many who used it, and did well for those afflicted with chronic skin affections, eczema, scrofula, and syphilitic contaminations. From 1885 through 1886, John C. Remington was the agent for the Tolenas Springs Soda Water, located at 217 Commercial Street. From 1887 to around the turn of the century, Charles Eggers and Sidney S. Gould were the agents for Tolenas Soda Water, located then at 1308 Mission. From 1903 to 1906 the Tolenas Mineral Water Company was located at 1123 Howard Street, in the early 1900s there was also an agency for Tolenas Soda Water in Sacramento, located at 821 K Street.
dug in St Helena dump on banks of Napa River in 1968
sliced my hand from wrist to tip of little finger pulling bottle from hole I had dug in bank

OWEN CASEY / EAGLE SODA WORKS
REVERSE: SAC CITY
Markota p. 11
COLOR: Blue
LOCALITY: Sacramento, CA
CIRCA: 1867-1871
RARITY: Common
HISTORY: it is a puzzle to us, with the abundance of bottles embossed with his name on them, that Owen Casey was never actually listed as being in the soda water manufacturing buslness, other than the final remarks from the "Journals of Senate and Assembly" of 1867 and in 1870, where the city directory lists a S. Crown as being employed at Casey's Soda Factory. This would tend to make us believe that Mr. Casey was relying on his past reputation as a partner of flames Kelly as a lever to save money on advertisement.
Las Vegas Bottle Show Feb 1996

BAY CITY SODA WATER / Co / S.F.
REVERSE: ( STAR )
COLOR: Blue
LOCALITY: San Francisco, CA
CIRCA: 1871-1880 (latter date approximate)
RARITY: Common
HISTORY: The Bay City Soda Water Company was started in 1871 and continued in business until 1913, moving it's operations six times. From 1871-78 they were located at 89 Stevenson, from 1878-81 at 110 Tyler, from 1881-95 at 110-112 Golden Gate Ave., from 1895-97 at 116-118 Golden Gates Ave., from 1897-1906 at 117-123 Hyde, and from 1907-13 they were located at 320 Fell. James McEwen, who was one of the early pioneers in the soda water manufacturing business in San Francisco in the early 1850s and formerly the proprietor of the California Soda Works, became President of the Bay City Soda Water Company in 1871, a position he held until 1895. In 1895 Henry A. Cline became President and continued as such until company went out of business in 1913.
bought from Tim Blair
Las Vegas Bottle Show
Feb. 23, 1997