Monumental News: Historic Landmark Gets Facelift

Published on Monday, 15 June 2009 13:37

Written by Randy Garbin

World’s Largest Catsup Bottle celebrates 60^th birthday with a new paint job!

Work begins today to repaint the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Illinois. The world-famous Brooks catsup bottle water tower last received a fresh coat of paint 14 years ago. A nation-wide “Paint It” campaign by the Catsup Bottle Preservation Group raised the necessary funds to save the landmark from possible demolition and have it restored it to its original appearance. Judy DeMoisy, known as the Catsup Bottle Lady, created the preservation group in 1993, and has again coordinated the effort to get the job done. “We’ve been working behind the scenes for a while now,” she said. “All the pieces came together late last week and it’s time to get it done.” One of the pieces is painter Rod Reinneck. His company, Diversified Coatings of O’Fallon, Illinois, handled the restoration of the catsup bottle in 1995. He has been contracted to do it again.

“This is an exciting, once in a lifetime opportunity,” Reinneck said. “And we get to do it twice.”

Unlike with the previous restoration, this time there is no need for a massive volunteer fundraising effort.

“The catsup bottle is actually owned by Bethel-Eckert Enterprises, not the city as a lot of people think,” DeMoisy said. “Thanks to the generosity of Bethel-Eckert, the project is under way. We can’t thank them enough for taking care of this.” Public Relations Director, Mike Gassmann, the Big Tomato, reminds everyone to follow the project online. “Our web site is www.catsupbottle.com,” Gassmann said. “We have a complete archive of the history, all the festivals, the media appearances, everything ever having to do with the catsup bottle.” Photos and reports will be posted to the blog so fans around the world can follow the progress.

Raven Cliff Falls, Caesar’s Head SC

Written by Tom Hoffman

This is Raven Cliff Falls in northwestern South Carolina. It requires a bit of effort to reach. Go north from Greenville on winding, twisting U.S. Rou…

Written on 14 May 2012
0 comment(s) · Read More
Matt’s Folly now Eden’s Folly

Written by P. Lane Speaker

Here again is confirmation that the so-called diner preservation community’s experts are only amusing themselves and wasting their valuable time wit…

Written on 05 May 2012
0 comment(s) · Read More
Moving Landmarks?

Written by Al Sollinger

Ordinarily when someone thinks of a “landmark” it doesn’t bring to mind something that moves from place to place. A landmark is often thought of as b…

Written on 02 May 2012
0 comment(s) · Read More
King Tut Drive-In, US Highway 19, Beckley WV

Written by Tom Hoffman

This isn’t something you would see bypassing Beckley on the West Virginia Turnpike. I came upon it while following the signs for US Route 19. I’d just…

Written on 30 April 2012
0 comment(s) · Read More
Getting Our Money’s Worth Out of City Hall?

Written by Al Sollinger

In 1889 workers completed the Benton County Courthouse in Corvallis, Oregon. Located at 120 NW Fourth Street the structure was designed by a Portland …

Written on 17 April 2012
0 comment(s) · Read More