by Kylie Pine
The Star Bottling Works appears to have started operations in about 1917 under the leadership of R.A. Pfeil. By 1932, the city directory listing name had changed again to Ramage’s Star Bottling Company and by 1936, it just reads Ramage’s Beverages. Ramage’s Beverages. WHC Collections X2014.002.0069.001. The name progression is a little confusing. Although the City Directories show a change to Ramage’s Beverages by 1936, a 1936 article in the Oregon Magazine refers to the company as the original name: Star Bottling Works: NEW COLD STORAGE UNITS In a new building just south of his Star Bottling Works at 810 North Liberty Street, Mr. L.M. Ramage is installing 550 cold storage units, each of 8 cubic feet capacity. Modern Improvements in refrigeration are used and storage will be available May 1st.[5] It is unclear if the name “Star Bottling Works” continued to be officially used by the company after 1936 or if the editors of the magazine were defaulting to the old name from habit…the same way I continue to call the Moda Center the Rose Garden. Note: L.M/L. Morrill Ramage appears to be Luther Morrill Ramage, born January 8, 1886 in Magnolia, Illinois (per WWII Draft Card), although the draft card does indicates that M. stands as an initial only, not a middle name as listed in various city directories. Wife Lillian C. Ramage. —– [1] The holdings of the Willamette Heritage Center have city directories for Salem for 1915 and 1917. Star Bottling Works does not appear in the 1915 edition and does appear in the 1917 edition. [2] Polk’s Salem City and Marion County Directory, 1917. Portland, Oregon: R.L. Polk & Co., 1917. Willamette Heritage Center Collections: 0083.043.0021.0006. [3] This is evident from the appearance of his name as proprietor in the 1926-1927 City Directory. R.A. Pfeil remains operator in the 1924 Directory.Polk’s Salem City and Marion County Directory, 1924. . Portland, Oregon: R.L. Polk & Co., 1924. Polk’s Salem City and Marion County Directory, 1926-27 . Portland, Oregon: R.L. Polk & Co., 1926. Willamette Heritage Center Collections: 0081.002.0013.003 [4] Polk’s Salem City and Marion County Directory, 1928-1929 . Portland, Oregon: R.L. Polk & Co., 1928. Polk’s Salem City and Marion County Directory, 1930-31 . Portland, Oregon: R.L. Polk & Co., 1930. [5] “Oregon On Her Way” Oregon Magazine. Volume XXXIV Number XII, April 1, 1936. Page 5. Willamette Heritage Center Collections, 2008.038.0131B.
I just dug up a in tact glass soda bottle that says Rameges beverages on is. I believe it is from the 1950’s. The label is in great shape!!! I would love more history on it!!!
Someone wrote in a similar inquiry to the Oregon Statesman in 1977 (published in the S.O.S. column – 03 May 1977 pg 10A). It gives a pretty succinct overview of the company hopefully will provide some answers?:
I have an embossed 7-up bottle bearing the inscription, “For the stomach’s sake, do not stir or shake” bubbles floating upward from the face (this could represent a mermaid). This bottle was distributed by Ramage’s, Salem, Ore. Could you find when this company had the 7-Up distributorship in Salem and perhaps if this is one of the first of the 7-Up bottles? JHB
The sales manager for 7-Up Bottling Company says the bottle bearing that inscription was made in the early ‘30s. The bottle is still being used and often comes through their processing line. From 1911 to 1927 Star Bottling Company was located at the corner of Market and Broadway and R.A. Pfeil was listed as proprietor, according to research by the State Library Reference Department personnel. Pfeil sold out to L. Morrill Ramage who moved the business to 810 N. Liberty Street in 1928. Ramage’s was in business from 1927-1957. The business name became Ramage’s Star Bottling Company in the 1935 city directory and was listed as Ramage’s Beverages in 1936. Although the 1928 city directory shows the company dealt in carbonated beverages and fountain supplies, none of the directories through 1957 mentioned a 7-Up distributorship. The company moved to 3333 Silverton road NE in 1955.
Fun note, even though the company appears to have shut in 1957 the bowling team lived on. Stats in the Capital Journal 25 October 1960, Secton 2 page 3 list a Ramage Beverage Bowling team. Further research shows that Ramage’s Sponsored a lot of bowling in the city during the late 1950s!
My Grand father owned the Ramage bottling Co.
Do you know what building your grand father had? I’m a Pepsi guy and been born into the Pepsi business . My father knew him as I believe he sold to the Francher family then to Gamble Inc out of Portland
I have a Ramage’s soda sign and not been able to find examples.