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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.