Pacific Glass Works
History
The Pacific Glass Works was incorporated in 1862 and began blowing bottles at its factory on the corner of Iowa and Mariposa streets in San Francisco's Potrero District in 1863. This location was strategically chosen for its proximity to the waterfront and transportation routes.
The company was established by investors who saw the growing need for glass products in the rapidly expanding West Coast market.
Pacific Glass Works manufactured a wide variety of glass products, including:
- Bottles
- Pharmaceutical containers
- Window glass
- Household glassware
As one of the first successful glass manufacturers on the West Coast, Pacific Glass Works played a crucial role in San Francisco's industrial development. The company helped reduce the region's dependence on imported glass from the East Coast and Europe.
The company operated through various economic challenges in the late 19th century. In 1876, it merged with San Francisco Glass Works to form the San Francisco & Pacific Glass Works.
Pacific Glass Works bottles are highly coveted by collectors for their wild colors and beautifully crude glass. Many of the most coveted Western bitters bottles were blown by Pacific Glass Works during the mid to early 1860s time frame.