The World's Largest Catsup Bottle stands next to Route 159 (see
Illustration 1), just south of downtown
Collinsville, Illinois (located across the Mississippi River, east of St. Louis).
This 170-foot tall, 100,000-gallon water tower was built in 1949 by W.E. Caldwell
Company for the G.S. Suppiger catsup bottling plant.
In 1995, the Catsup Bottle Preservation Group saved this piece of local history from
demolition and restored it to its original appearance. This landmark is recognized
worldwide as an excellent example of 20th century roadside Americana. The Catsup
Bottle has been the focus of television and magazine coverage for years, and is a
popular tourist attraction.
Collinsville businessmen in 1891 created the Collinsville Canning and Packing
Company, which sold catsup. The Brooks brothers, Everett and Elgen, took over the
plant in 1908, calling it the "Triumph Catsup and Pickle Company." In 1920, the
brothers sold out to American Cone and Pretzel Company. Then in 1933 the G.S.
Suppiger Company purchased the plant. The Brooks label was retained by each new owner.
The latter company changed the product name to "Brooks Tangy Old Original Catsup."
In 1949, the catsup plant needed a new water tank for plant operations and to supply
water to the new fire protection sprinkler system. Gerhart S. Suppiger, then president
of the company, suggested the tower be built in the distinctive tapered shape of one of
their catsup bottles. Everyone was amused by the idea back then, little realizing they
were creating a landmark that would be world famous 50 years later.
