The South Bend Root Beer Company had a very short history, which helps explain why the Hutchinson bottle with its name is one of the toughest South Bend bottles to find.
According to an article in The South Bend Tribune, March 5, 1896:
“The South Bend Root Beer Company gave an opening last evening at its place, 517 East Jefferson street, and gave away several cases of their beverage.”
This confirms the company started in 1896.
The proprietors were John L. Barber and Sylvester D. Brewer.
John L. Barber is listed in the 1896 South Bend city directory as a barber at 517 E. Jefferson St., with his barbershop at the same address, which is a fitting coincidence considering his last name, Barber.
Sylvester D. Brewer is listed in the 1896 South Bend city directory as an employee of the Indiana Paper Co., also residing at 517 E. Jefferson St.
The business moved to Alma, Michigan, in 1899 and was renamed the Alma Root Beer Co., but it is not yet known whether they produced any bottles there. The company appears to have had a very short run in Alma and essentially ended about a year later.
The Alma Record, Michigan, April 20, 1900, reported that the plant was sold to A. F. Brewer, S. D. Brewer’s uncle, and that the machinery would be transferred back to South Bend. There is no clear newspaper or directory record showing that the plant reopened in South Bend. Sylvester D. Brewer is listed in the 1901 South Bend directory as a beer bottler.
It is unclear why the company relocated back and forth or whether any bottle types were produced beyond the known Hutchinson bottles. If you have additional information or examples, please share them so they can be documented. One article even mentions a quart bottle. Could there be a quart South Bend Root Beer Co. Hutchinson bottle?!
See the articles tab for additional details and sources.
1) The South Bend Tribune, March 5, 1896, p. 8
The South Bend Root Beer company gave an opening last evening at its place, 517 East Jefferson street, and gave away several cases of their beverage.
2) The South Bend Tribune, August 14, 1896, p. 5
Destroyed an Eye.
A quart bottle of root beer exploded yesterday afternoon at the bottling works of the South Bend Root Beer company and a piece of the bottle struck a little son of S. D. Brewer, of 517 East Jefferson street, in the left eye, cutting a triangular gash and destroying the eye. Dr. Schafer attended and will have to remove the eye.
3) The South Bend Tribune, March 30, 1898, p. 5
For Sale. Good barber shop with two chairs. Inquire at South Bend Root Beer Co., 517 East Jefferson street.
4) The Alma Record, Michigan, July 28, 1899, p. 1
The Alma Root Beer Company.
A New Firm Established Here.
The South Bend Root Beer Co. have moved their business to Alma and will operate hereafter under the name of Alma Root Beer Co. J. L. Barber and S. D. Brewer are the proprietors and their business is to manufacture root beer and other soft drinks. They have not yet found a suitable location in town, but they hope to do so soon. They have moved their whole business here and when in full operation they have a capacity of 350 bottles per day. They are working on a small scale at present until a permanent location is made. They have one wagon on the road. When their business is fully established they hope to have several wagons on the road, and make all the neighboring towns. Mr. Barber and Mr. Brewer are pleased with the change they have made, and they think they will find Alma an excellent location.
5) The Alma Record, Michigan, November 24, 1899, p. 5
S. D. Brewer has purchased the interests of J. L. Barber in the Alma Root Beer Co. and will conduct the business alone hereafter. The bottling works are now nicely located in the building east of Olubb’s (or Clubb’s) shop and everything is conveniently arranged. Quite a business has been worked up by this company during the past summer and it is increasing all the time. The company sells all kinds of sodas, mineral waters, etc., and is agent for the liquid carbonic gas, charges soda founts, etc.
6) The Alma Record, Michigan, April 20, 1900, p. 5
We are sorry to announce this week the removal of the Alma Root Beer Bottling Works to South Bend, Ind. The bottling works were originally located at South Bend before Messers. Brewer & Barber moved the same here and now Mr. Brewer, who recently purchased Mr. Barber’s interests, has sold the plant to A. F. Brewer, an uncle, who was in Alma the latter part of last week and shipped the machinery home. We are very sorry to lose this institution as Mr. Brewer has worked up quite a business in his line since coming here. We understand he will soon move to South Bend to manage the plant for his uncle.
Bottle Type: Hutchinson
Embossing: SOUTH BEND / ROOT BEER CO.
Glass Maker: No markings.
Other Marks: 96 (above back heel), 16 (on base).
Notes: We’re not sure what the 16 on the base means, but the 96 more than likely is for 1896 since they were in business that year.
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors