History
The story of this World’s Largest Catsup (or Ketchup, they are the same thing, just a difference in spelling. Ketchup is the more common spelling) bottle begins in 1891 when a group of business men started a canning and packing plant. However, in 1907, the Brooks Brothers bought the plant. Soon the name changed to Brooks Tomato Products Company. They produced the much loved tangy catsup. In 1920 the brothers sold the company but the name brand was kept since it had an excellent reputation and sales. In fact, at one time it was America’s number one seller of tangy catsups.
A Catsup by Any Other Name
The catsup was once called “Brooks Tabasco Flavored Catsup.” Because of this, the name changed to “Brooks Old Original Tangy Catsup” when they were threatened with a lawsuit from the company that makes Tabasco. Today it’s called “Brooks Rich and Tangy Ketchup.” Did you notice that they have even switched to the more common spelling of Ketchup?
Unique Water Tower
The company needed a new water tower to supply the plant and the then company president suggested a tower in the shape of their iconic catsup bottle. Therefore, the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle was completed in October of 1949.
In the early 1960’s the company was moved and the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle was left to deteriorate through the years. But, in 1993, the current company of the Ketchup decided to sell the property and offered it to the city of Collinsville. However, the city declined because of the cost of having to restore the landmark. After that, the Catsup Bottle Preservation Group was formed and in two years raised $80,000 to repair and repaint the bottle. In 1995 the restoration was complete and in 2002 the Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower was named to the National Register of Historic Places.
Fun Facts About the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle
- 170 feet tall
- Holds a capacity of 100,000 gallons
- 70 foot riveted steel bottle
- Bottle sits on top of 100 foot tall steel legs
- Diameter of bottle base is 25 feet
- Diameter of bottle cap is 8 feet
Enjoy a Taste of History
Do you wish you could have tried this ketchup? Well you are in luck! Brooks brand ketchup is still being made. It is now owned by Birds Eye Foods and is made in Canada. Because of this, it has limited distribution. It’s hard to find in most parts of the country. However, you can find it on Amazon. Order some and taste of bit of iconic history with this unique ketchup.
If you would like to pick up a souvenir of your visit, Ashmann’s Pharmacy at 209 East Main Street is your place.
Location of the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle
Located in Collinsville, Illinois, a historic Route 66 city. The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle is about 15 miles east from downtown St. Louis. On Illinois Route 159, around 5 miles south of I-55/70 and around 5 miles north of I-64.
Address: 800 South Morrison Avenue
Collinsville, IL 62234
Other related items you may be interested in:
Travel Book: Route 66: EZ66 Guide for Travelers
Travel Book: The Best Hits on Route 66: 100 Essential Stops on the Mother Road
A favorite snack for a road trip or any time: Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels
Share With Us
What is your favorite Quirky Americana roadside attraction? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
When I was a kid, I had a rather peculiar sense: I could tell you a ketchup’s (or catsup’s) brand by tasting it. Not so very peculiarly and like a lot of other kids, I liked ketchup on everything.
Being of such a distinguishing ketchup-palette, I disdained the mainstream brands such as Heinz, Hunt’s and particularly Del Monte. I would consume only Brook’s. My long-suffering mother made sure that it was the sole source in the pantry.
Fast forward over sixty years. I’m still a great fan of the red stuff. Alas, Brooks ceased to be manufactured in Collinsville, IL sometime in the early 1960s, when the owners moved operations to Indiana. Although I was aging into an early teener by then, I could taste a bit of a change.
At some point later, the brand was assimilated by Birdseye. They have the audacity to shove some third-party red paint into Brooks bottles and try to make me believe it is the real thing.
You can’t pass this stuff off on me, buster. Shameful.