The Henry Luebbe Soda and Mineral Water Company was a long running business in the heart of wine country in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Hermann Missouri was known for wine production, and in fact, was the leading city for wine sales in the state of MO at this time. What makes this even more interesting is the fact Missouri was the largest producing wine state in the United States in the early 1900’s, even producing more wine than California.
Considering Mr. Luebbe’s business was so successful in the heart of wine producing country is a fact not lost on me. In the early 1900’s soda was typically sold in six or seven ounce bottles and for those who could afford it, the drink was truly a delicacy for most. Hard liquor including wine was more plentiful and cheaper than soda at the time.
The Luebbe company produced at least two oval tin self-framed signs with young girls in the design. Unfortunately today there is not much still in existence from the company, other than a few Hutchinson style soda bottles with wire stoppers denoting the companies name in the embossing. Mr. Luebbe was out of business by 1920, according to local business directories from that era. I am not sure where he went to, or if he simply retired.