07/16/2026
How about a history lesson on the "Jeannette Bottleworks?"
The original "Jeannette Bottle Works," (yes, we compounded the name) sometimes called "Jeannette Bottle Co." was established during the city's formative years. It was situated on/over Brush Creek, just down the hill from Division, likely accessible from a portion of S 3rd St that no longer exists.
The plant produced hand-blown amber and flint bottles, complementing the modern table wares of McKee glass and the "fancy mustard" jars of Westmoreland Specialty Glass. Women worked the line, men provided the skilled glassblowing.
Between years of our lord 1889 and 1898, the plant couldn't seem to keep itself operational (hope that's not a bad omen for us). When heavy rains came, the plant flooded due to its proximity to the creek. The plant earned the moniker "the fizzle" or "fizzler" due to its inability to stay in operation. Worse yet, the plant was competing against technically superior operations with new machinery, modern processes, and less flooding.
Ultimately, Jeannette Glass Co. purchased the "shambles" of the beleaguered bottle maker and overhauled the plant between 1898 and 1899, automating the blowing process, upgrading the tanks, and installing new gas lines leading to the plant. The successor also dug out and rerouted portions of the creek to stem the flooding issue that plagued its predecessor the decade prior.
Nearly 130 years later, the "Bottle Works" returns to Jeannette, albeit in a slightly different format. We hope our operation will serve as a sort of love letter to the American Workshop.
PS if you get your hands on an original Jeannette Bottle Works bottle, I will pay you cash money for it.
