05 Jan latest mid-19th century soda bottles from “unearthing chicago” project housed in bldg. 51 museum
i’ve finally whittled down my collection of completely intact chicago-based mid-19th century soda bottles with embossed lettering and iron-pontiled bases.
the majority of the bottles were discovered long-forgotten privy pits in and around downtown chicago. the earliest sodas in the collection were found at wolf point, site of grand central station and chicago river, where they were likely pitched from passing schooners.
the earliest bottle unearthed is an 1840s light aqua blue pinged out “superior water” six-sided tenpin with iron pontil and crude tapered top. it was found in a residential privy pit located in the bridgeport area, where several early cottages still stand.
other bottles were photographed in my studio on a reconstructed 19th century pine wood circular-shaped privy pit floor discovered behind a pre-fire single-story cottage located on superior street in west town.
images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive.