Utah's Crockery
When searching for bottles occasionally you come across something larger. Those wonderful crockery jugs that held almost anything. Sometimes they had writing on them and identified them to a place in Utah history. Utah has a rich variety of stoneware reflecting early entrepreneurs. It has become quite collectible. Our premier collector of Utah stoneware is Dave Emett. If you know of any of these items labeled with Utah towns, contact Dave. Without his effort, many of these would be unknown to us. He is always on the lookout for a variation to add to the collections. Below we see some great examples of these items. If you have some history for these early businessmen, please contact us!
All comments and historic notes are from Dave Emett
Stoneware had a multitude of uses. The crocks and pots were used for dry storage as well as some wet uses too. I knew a grandmother that used the big twelve gallon Bountiful crock for making pickles. Here is the photo of the crock the day my sons, Craig and Brent found it in the cellar under the granary at the Reed farm and home on Orchard Drive in Bountiful. The Heinz Keystone crock was also found at that time. See below.
The jugs were used for liquid things like vinegar, liquor, molasses etc.
The butter crocks were of course mainly used for butter as well as other things.
Preserve crocks were used for the preservation of different foods both wet and dry.
The screw top crocks were mainly for preserving wet items and the safety valve style crocks were used for similar things.
A friend told me years ago he saw an add where the Utah Liquor Co. was selling baked beans. He felt they were put in the Family Store (safety valve style) crocks.
On some of the wide mouth crocks they used the lids to keep things clean but they didn’t have an air tight seal. Sometimes they bought the crocks without a lid or the lids got broken so they many times put a cloth on the top securing the cloth with a tie around the top just before the larger lip. They were used just like the canisters of today to make it easier to store something and still have it relatively easy to access. Larger containers could have been for storing larger quantities in a less accessible area while the smaller ones could hold smaller quantities filled from the bulk storage and placed in the pantry or on a counter.
One of items I would love to find is the chick founts which were used to water the chickens. Can you imagine what a short life these would have being subjected to the elements and outside in the yard or chicken coop? See below.
Of course the churns were used to make the butter.
Mini jugs were used for many purposes but many were used for vinegar, whiskey, mercury for mining chemicals, and even perfumes.
Today we have refrigerators and crispers but in the early days they had an ice box if they were fortunate. I would imagine a lidded crock in an ice box would act like a crisper of today.
Beater jars were about a quart or more but the inside of the jar base was rounded to allow for an egg beater to mix and not missing the bottom corners of the jar. See Below.
A large crock in a shed or barn may hold grain for the stock or for the family.
In the Red Wing ledger the butter crocks are titled 2# pots or 3# pots or butter jars of various sizes
The Mason fruit jars were stoneware but with the Mason patent and used for canning just the same as the glass jars.
All comments and historic notes are from Dave Emett
Stoneware had a multitude of uses. The crocks and pots were used for dry storage as well as some wet uses too. I knew a grandmother that used the big twelve gallon Bountiful crock for making pickles. Here is the photo of the crock the day my sons, Craig and Brent found it in the cellar under the granary at the Reed farm and home on Orchard Drive in Bountiful. The Heinz Keystone crock was also found at that time. See below.
The jugs were used for liquid things like vinegar, liquor, molasses etc.
The butter crocks were of course mainly used for butter as well as other things.
Preserve crocks were used for the preservation of different foods both wet and dry.
The screw top crocks were mainly for preserving wet items and the safety valve style crocks were used for similar things.
A friend told me years ago he saw an add where the Utah Liquor Co. was selling baked beans. He felt they were put in the Family Store (safety valve style) crocks.
On some of the wide mouth crocks they used the lids to keep things clean but they didn’t have an air tight seal. Sometimes they bought the crocks without a lid or the lids got broken so they many times put a cloth on the top securing the cloth with a tie around the top just before the larger lip. They were used just like the canisters of today to make it easier to store something and still have it relatively easy to access. Larger containers could have been for storing larger quantities in a less accessible area while the smaller ones could hold smaller quantities filled from the bulk storage and placed in the pantry or on a counter.
One of items I would love to find is the chick founts which were used to water the chickens. Can you imagine what a short life these would have being subjected to the elements and outside in the yard or chicken coop? See below.
Of course the churns were used to make the butter.
Mini jugs were used for many purposes but many were used for vinegar, whiskey, mercury for mining chemicals, and even perfumes.
Today we have refrigerators and crispers but in the early days they had an ice box if they were fortunate. I would imagine a lidded crock in an ice box would act like a crisper of today.
Beater jars were about a quart or more but the inside of the jar base was rounded to allow for an egg beater to mix and not missing the bottom corners of the jar. See Below.
A large crock in a shed or barn may hold grain for the stock or for the family.
In the Red Wing ledger the butter crocks are titled 2# pots or 3# pots or butter jars of various sizes
The Mason fruit jars were stoneware but with the Mason patent and used for canning just the same as the glass jars.
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For those who know Red Wing stoneware they get to know how to identify it by the style, clay and glaze coloration and other things. Some pieces are tougher to identify than others. All known pieces from H. J. Sheffield were made by Red Wing while we know the Utah Liquor Co. Family Store crock was the only piece made by Red Wing in the quantity of 2,000 on March 22, 1907. Most of the Family Store crocks are base marked Minnesota Stoneware Co., Red Wing Minn. The Peoples Coop Inst., Lehi, Utah ordered 25 1/2 gal. jugs and 50 1 gal. standard jugs with brown tops and 25 one gal. and 10 two gal. open mouth crocks on April 6, 1909. None of the known Lehi pieces appear to be Red Wing and some are marked Western Stoneware Co., Denver, Colorado.
All examples from Tremonton, Kaysville, Farmington, Sandy and Bountiful were made in Red Wing.
Utah stoneware was made by numerous companies all over the country. The canteens were made by Whites in Utica New York while most were from Western in Denver some were made by Macomb and for many it is not known were they were made.
All examples from Tremonton, Kaysville, Farmington, Sandy and Bountiful were made in Red Wing.
Utah stoneware was made by numerous companies all over the country. The canteens were made by Whites in Utica New York while most were from Western in Denver some were made by Macomb and for many it is not known were they were made.
CRAPO & SONS
The Store was in Sandy, Ut. and produced a wonderful selections of items.
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Blue variation
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H J Sheffield - Kaysville
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Bountiful Co-Operative Mercantile Institution
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Butter and Beater
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FARMINGTON Commercial & MFGR CO.
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This is all I am aware of even though there were quite a few pieces ordered.1 gallon crock and 1/2 gallon screw top. The screw top is the only one known. The redwing order for Farmington is below. There were 225 pieces. GET OUT THERE AND FIND THEM!
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1 gal. pots or crocks 48 ea. 22APR1907
2 gal. pots or crocks 36 ea. 22APR1907 3 gal. pots or crocks 24 ea. 22APR1907 4 gal. pots or crocks 12 ea. 22APR1907 5 gal. pots or crocks 6 ea. 22APR1907 6 gal. pots or crocks 6 ea. 22APR1907 10 gal. pots or crocks 3 ea. 22APR1907 20 gal. pots or crocks 3 ea. 22APR1907 1 gal. pots or crocks 48 22APR1907 2 gal. pots or crocks 36 ea. 22APR1907 3 gal. pots or crocks 24 ea. 22APR1907 4 gal. pots or crocks 12 ea. 22APR1907 5 gal. pots or crocks 6 ea. 22APR1907 6 gal. pots or crocks 6 ea. 22APR1907 |
10 gal. pots or crocks 3 ea. 22APR1907
20 gal. pots or crocks 3 ea. 22APR1907 2 gal. churns 2 ea. 22APR1907 3 gal. churns 6 ea. 22APR1907 4 gal. churns 6 ea. 22APR1907 5 gal. churns 2 ea. 22APR1907 ½ gal. standard jugs 4 ea. 22APR1907 1 gal. standard jugs 8 ea. 22APR1907 2 gal. standard jugs 4 ea. 22APR1907 2# pots 25 ea. 22APR1907 1 gal. chick founts 3 ea. 22APR1907 2 gal. chick founts 3 ea. 22APR1907 5# Safety valve jars or butter crocks 12 ea. 10# Safety valve jars or butter crocks 12 ea. 22APR1907 225 total ordered in ledger book |
James Martello - Helper
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FREED FURNITURE
These are a couple of favorites that are a bit different from the rest of the Utah stoneware. Below is a Salt Crock. These had a hole on the back which could be placed on a hook on the wall. They usually had a wooden lid with a hinge so the front could open up so you could get an amount of Salt. Above is the obvious rolling pin with the same advertising. The Freed family now are owners in Lagoon Amusement Park.
Wilson Lumber - Tremonton
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LEHI - The People's CO-OP Inst. "The BIG STORE with the BLUE WAGONS"
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I came across a three gallon wide mouth and was pretty proud of my find. The Utah stoneware collectors about went nuts when a jug was found. Last year a friend picked up the churn and I was blown away. Who really knows what is out there. Likely all the ones I have seen and have a photo of were made by Western Pottery Mfg. Co. in Denver, Colo. Red Wing did show an order in 1909. None of the existing known pieces appear to be Red Wing.
THE PEOPLES COOP INST., LEHI, UTAH stamped½ gal. standard jugs, brown top 25 ea. 06APR1909
1 gal. standard jugs, brown top 50 ea. 06APR1909
1 gal. pots or crocks 25 ea. 06APR1909
2 gal. pots or crocks 10 ea. 06APR1909
THE PEOPLES COOP INST., LEHI, UTAH stamped½ gal. standard jugs, brown top 25 ea. 06APR1909
1 gal. standard jugs, brown top 50 ea. 06APR1909
1 gal. pots or crocks 25 ea. 06APR1909
2 gal. pots or crocks 10 ea. 06APR1909
WESCO BRANDS
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The six gallon is the most common and the two is rarest with only one known. I have only seen three of the three gallon crocks.
There are likely ten or more of the six gallon crocks known. These were made by Western Pottery Mfg. Co. in Denver, Colorado. Not as early as most of the Utah stoneware but still nice pieces to have.
There are likely ten or more of the six gallon crocks known. These were made by Western Pottery Mfg. Co. in Denver, Colorado. Not as early as most of the Utah stoneware but still nice pieces to have.
Radium Treatment Company
The church museum had a stoneware display and they
referred the old crocks as yesterdays Tupperware.
That is kind of like what I look at when I see stoneware. What do they use today? Even zip lock and bulk storage containers made from plastics to plastic jugs for milk and vinegar. No longer do you see anyone carrying a jug of liquor but they have possibly a plastic bottle in that bag. I doubt the old stoneware is microwave safe either.
Another unusual piece is below. Some of these are actually radioactive but I have had this one tested years ago and it tested safe. Not as early as some of the stoneware I have but still fairly early made by Western in Denver
That is kind of like what I look at when I see stoneware. What do they use today? Even zip lock and bulk storage containers made from plastics to plastic jugs for milk and vinegar. No longer do you see anyone carrying a jug of liquor but they have possibly a plastic bottle in that bag. I doubt the old stoneware is microwave safe either.
Another unusual piece is below. Some of these are actually radioactive but I have had this one tested years ago and it tested safe. Not as early as some of the stoneware I have but still fairly early made by Western in Denver
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The Liquor Stores
American Liquor and Wine
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THE AMERICAN LIQUOR & WINE CO., SALT LAKE CITY stamped
½ gal. standard jugs, dark top 250 ea. 29MAR1909 350 ea. 07FEB1910
1 gal. standard jugs, dark top 150 ea. 29MAR1909 250 ea. 07FEB1910
½ gal. standard jugs, dark top 250 ea. 29MAR1909 350 ea. 07FEB1910
1 gal. standard jugs, dark top 150 ea. 29MAR1909 250 ea. 07FEB1910
Louisville Liquor
LOUISVILLE LIQUOR CO., 61-E 2ND SOUTH STREET, UTAH stamped
½ gal. standard jugs, dark top 350 ea. 07FEB1910
1 gal. standard jugs, dark top 150 ea. 07FEB1910
½ gal. standard jugs, dark top 350 ea. 07FEB1910
1 gal. standard jugs, dark top 150 ea. 07FEB1910
KOHN Liquor Co. - Ogden
The Kohn jugs were not listed in the Red Wing ledger. You can find the 1/2 gal. jug without too much effort but the gallon jugs are extremely rare. There are at least two of the gallons known while there are an estimated ten or more in the 1/2 gal. size. Still a pretty rare jug. Many of the 1/2 gal. jugs are base marked RWS Co. for Red Wing Stoneware Co.
Reiger and Lindley Wholesale Liquors
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The base mark on the base of the blue 1 gal. jug. showing Minnesota Stoneware Co., Red Wing Minn. Some are marked but most are not.
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As you can see, these come in both 1/2 gal. and 1 gal. sizes with blue and black stencils. Those with the blue stencil are quite difficult to find. None of the two gal. jugs are known. Of course there are many more Rieger & Lindley jugs made by other companies. I have noticed that at least in the ones I remember seeing, those with the blue stencil are glazed brown in the shoulder area where it is usually unglazed.
½ gal. standard jugs, red tops ?50 ea. 22MAR1907
1 gal. standard jugs, red tops 350 ea. 22MAR1907
2 gal. standard jugs, red tops 25 ea. 22MAR1907
½ gal. standard jugs, dark tops 250 ea. 25MAR1909
1 gal. standard jugs, dark tops 250 ea. 25MAR1909
½ gal. standard jugs, red tops ?50 ea. 22MAR1907
1 gal. standard jugs, red tops 350 ea. 22MAR1907
2 gal. standard jugs, red tops 25 ea. 22MAR1907
½ gal. standard jugs, dark tops 250 ea. 25MAR1909
1 gal. standard jugs, dark tops 250 ea. 25MAR1909
SADLER MERC CO.
SADLER MERC. CO., SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH stamped1 gal. standard jugs, red tops 250 ea. 22MAR1907
2 gal. standard jugs, red tops 25 ea. 22MAR1907
1 gal. standard jugs, dark tops 144 ea. 25MAR1909
2 gal. standard jugs, dark tops 48 ea. 25MAR1909
One and two gallon Sadler Red Wing jugs
2 gal. standard jugs, red tops 25 ea. 22MAR1907
1 gal. standard jugs, dark tops 144 ea. 25MAR1909
2 gal. standard jugs, dark tops 48 ea. 25MAR1909
One and two gallon Sadler Red Wing jugs
UTAH LIQUOR CO.
The Utah Liquor Co. had lots of different jugs made for them in several sizes.
UTAH LIQUOR CO., SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH stamped 5# safety valve jars 2,000 ea. 22MAR1907
The Utah Liquor Co. canteens are a great addition to most collections however they are not loved my all. Some of the purist jug collectors say they just don’t fit in and really don’t like them. For myself, I really quite like them.
Whites in Utica, New York were the makers and made similar stoneware for several companies around the country. I have seen them from at least four companies in Texas, Bardwell’s Root Beer and others. I can see where these may have a better survival rate as they could be used as decor to a room more than most. Many of the plain old jugs were just tossed out, especially when the liquor establishments closed down during prohibition. The gallon jug is the most sought after as it has the elk scene on it. They are also the rarest and the ones that bring the highest prices. The grouping shows the quart, half gallon and gallon with the lettering side of another half gallon. The half gallons are the most common.
Not only elk to cater to the man but a butterfly for the ladies!
UTAH LIQUOR CO., SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH stamped 5# safety valve jars 2,000 ea. 22MAR1907
The Utah Liquor Co. canteens are a great addition to most collections however they are not loved my all. Some of the purist jug collectors say they just don’t fit in and really don’t like them. For myself, I really quite like them.
Whites in Utica, New York were the makers and made similar stoneware for several companies around the country. I have seen them from at least four companies in Texas, Bardwell’s Root Beer and others. I can see where these may have a better survival rate as they could be used as decor to a room more than most. Many of the plain old jugs were just tossed out, especially when the liquor establishments closed down during prohibition. The gallon jug is the most sought after as it has the elk scene on it. They are also the rarest and the ones that bring the highest prices. The grouping shows the quart, half gallon and gallon with the lettering side of another half gallon. The half gallons are the most common.
Not only elk to cater to the man but a butterfly for the ladies!
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This is considered a 1/2 gal. or 5# safety valve crock used primarily for canning. You don’t often see them with the original lid and hardware
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CUT RATE LIQUOR
The bail handle jug is the only example known and the taller example is the only example of that tall beehive shape known in the Utah advertising stoneware. There are a few known examples of the taller one.
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COUNCIL HOUSE
C. Bonetti ran the Council Liquor House. There is an embossed flask from there and a beautiful tray also. The jugs are extremely rare as the gal. example known is partially restored and the half is the only one known.
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GOLD LABEL
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This is a relatively tough Salt Lake jug to find. It comes in both the 1/2 gal. and one gal. sizes.
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Bingham
Rolando is the rarest then the Vienna with the Scussel the most common but none are easily found. Not sure if a gallon Rolando exists but at least two of the half gallon ones are known.
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PRICE
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Castle Gate - Only one known
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Other
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Here is a piece that isn’t Utah but has some ties to the LDS faith. Maybe I should say anti-LDS. Yes J. Smith sitting on the liquor barrel. They couldn’t even spell right... J. Smith 1830 (when the church was organized) The MORMOM Prophet
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Neighboring Malad, Idaho also had quite a few pieces. When the salesman came through he did a good job getting orders from even some of the
smaller towns. Red Wing advertising pieces are known for the sayings on some of their pieces. Where good goods are sold!
We see Harry Gesas was in Idaho too (below) as well as Price, Utah.
smaller towns. Red Wing advertising pieces are known for the sayings on some of their pieces. Where good goods are sold!
We see Harry Gesas was in Idaho too (below) as well as Price, Utah.
