Not much is known about Star Bottling Works, as it appears only in the 1916 city directory. It also appears in the 1916 phone book, but we do not have copies of other years. It is absent from both the 1913 and 1919 directories, and its proprietor, Samuel Blum, is also not listed in those years.

Samuel Blum is listed in 1916 as a saloon owner at 1507 Ohio Street, while Star Bottling Works is listed at 616 W. 9th Street.

The bottles in our database have either a “14” or “15” embossed on the heel, which we believe are date codes for 1914 and 1915. Since the business does not appear in the 1913 directory and the latest confirmed listing is in 1916, the evidence suggests that Star Bottling Works was active during the mid-1910s and may have operated as late as 1918, although 1916 is the last year we can currently verify. More research is required on when the business ended.

It is one of only two known pictorial soda bottles from Michigan City (the other being Eagle Bottling), both featuring pictorial embossing on the front.

Update 6/20/2026:

We found an article titled Star Bottling Works in the August 1915 issue of the Michigan City Evening News, which reads:

“The Star Bottling Works at 616 west Ninth street has come to be a very busy place. It has been established for only the last two and a half years and has built up a business that speaks well for the excellent business methods and ability of the proprietor of the business, Mr. Samuel Blum. The plant occupied is clean and wholesome, and fully adapted to the requirements of the business, which is that of bottling pop and other kinds of soft drinks, and selling confectionery and ice cream. The trade done is a large one, goods being shipped to all parts of the county, and being everywhere regarded as the best goods of the kind to be had.

Mr. Blum has been engaged in the bottling business for many years prior to opening his own plant, and is regarded as an expert in the line. He employs two men besides himself and conducts a delivery system to all parts of the city. He has gained a high reputation for his goods, and for his upright business methods and is a booster for Michigan City, and a thoroughly successful business man. He is a member of societies and enjoys the friendship of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.”

This article pushes the likely founding date of Star Bottling Works back to approximately early 1913 and confirms that the business was engaged not only in bottling soft drinks, but also in selling confectionery and ice cream. It further indicates that the company distributed its products throughout LaPorte County and employed two workers in addition to Samuel Blum.