My Days at Kinsey Distillery

There's a lot of history and 'lore' behind bourbon so discuss both here.

Moderator: Squire

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby Kinsey Worker » Sun Dec 26, 2010 6:48 pm

Last night I got some very rare Pictures of the Old Publicker Phila Plant some being used and some of it abandon from my Friend Butch who worked there from 1967 ten years leaving after Si Neuman died.
Here are six of the Eleven I will post.
1. A very sad shot from 1992 of the Old wooden Grain processing buildings burning after being set on fire by vandels
2. This is a picture of the Charles Jacquin Plant we distilled all the Molasses and Gin they used and we also did allot of Bottling of their Liquors in the Old Kinsey Bottle house in Linfield which was built by Jake Kinsey in the mid 1930's and ran for Publicker till the very last day in 1979.
3. The AA building was erected by the Government in the early 1940's for the manufacture of Acetic Acid for rubber, tobe used for the war effort. Acongressional Committee visited the Bigler street site to check out the facility, before authorizing the AA building to be built. At the end of WWII The Government sold the AA building to Publicker for $1.00.
4. The Snyder Ave Barrel House inside 1947 the year I was born.
One of the amazing things for me seeing these two shots of the Snyder Barrel house is the fact the elevator and racks apear to look just like the ones at Kinsey when I worked there!

5. Snyder Ave Barrel House #2 in 1947
6. Philadelphia Motorcycle Policemen escorting a Publicker Alcohol delivery Truck to area Hospitals during Prohibition in 1933 due to the fear of the Mob taking the truck.

I will post 5 more soon many thanks To my Friend Butch who worked there for 10 years for sending me these very rare Pictures and information.
Kinsey Worker --- Dave Z
It Seems All The Nicest People Drink Old Hickory
America's Most Magnificent Bourbon
Attachments
Grainfire in 192 wooden grain buildings (Medium).jpg
This first Picture is a very sad one it is a picture of the Old Wooden Grain Processing buildings burning in 1992 after Vandels went on the abandon site and started the fire.
Grainfire in 192 wooden grain buildings (Medium).jpg (57.76 KiB) Viewed 29168 times
Charles (Medium).jpg
Charles Jacquin Plant in Phila. We ddistilled all the Molasses and Gin for them and even bottled their stuff at Kinsey in the Old 1933 Kinsey Bottle House
Charles (Medium).jpg (52.63 KiB) Viewed 29168 times
congressional (Medium).jpg
Congressional committee visiting Publicker to check the Plant out befor they built the AA building early 1940's
congressional (Medium).jpg (80.86 KiB) Viewed 29168 times
Snyder (Medium).jpg
Snyder Ave Barrel House in 1947 the year I was born
Snyder (Medium).jpg (70.85 KiB) Viewed 29168 times
Snyderz (Medium).jpg
Snyder Ave Barrel warehouse II 1947
Snyderz (Medium).jpg (73.29 KiB) Viewed 29168 times
gin.jpg
Philadelphia Motorcycle Policemen escorting a Publicker Alcohol delivery truck to area Hospitals during Prohibition in 1933
gin.jpg (254.99 KiB) Viewed 29168 times
User avatar
Kinsey Worker
Registered User
 
Posts: 144
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:49 am

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby bigler street » Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:57 am

Just wanted stop by and say hello! I am the "Butch" that you see Dave referring to in a few of his comments. I worked at the Publicker Snyder Avenue and Bigler street Distilleries and Chemical plants from 1967 to 1977. I was a Steamfitter by craft, learning it at the Bigler street facility.
I (like Dave) really enjoyed my time there. Met many nice people and learned an awful lot working there! It helped propel me to another company that I worked for over 32 years! I looking forward to hooking up with Dave later this year and taking a tour of the Linfield plant!
As you seen from a couple of the photo's, there's not much left to any of the Philadelphia locations other then the old bottling plant on Synder avenue and the 2 remaining Barrel warehouses on Tasker! Dave has done an outstanding job keeping Publicker/Continental/Kinsley history alive and well!

Butch (bigler street)
bigler street
Registered User
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:42 am

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby Kinsey Worker » Sun Jan 02, 2011 6:53 pm

Hey Butch glad to see you found this site. I am going to post some of the New Pictures you just sent me last night.
1. A newspaper stoory about 5 women getting caughtt stealing whiskey at Publicker in the old Bottle house in their Girdles by a Phila Police women.
2. Story from 1944 Publicker buys the Knabb Barrel works largest one at that time in Marcus Hook Pa it was founded in 1906. Publicker kept the Name Knabb Barrel works. This is where Ludy went to coopers school..
3. A picture of a Knabb Barrel works rail car to hual new barrels
4.Harry Publickers Passport from Russia as a child to become an American citizen
5. News Paper story about a Bootleg Plot against Publicker
6. News Paper story about an exstorsion plot against Harry Publicker
I will post more soon!
Kinsey Worker Dave Z
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kinsey The Unhurried Whiskey For Unhurried Moments
Attachments
1957womensteeling (Small).jpg
story about 5 women caught stealing Whiskey in their Girdles. Scearched by Philadelphia Police women
1957womensteeling (Small).jpg (66.27 KiB) Viewed 29136 times
Publicker - 1944 (Small).jpg
1944 Publicker Buys the Knabb Barrel works in Marcus hook the largest barrel maker of that time. It was founded in 1906.
Publicker - 1944 (Small).jpg (82.2 KiB) Viewed 29136 times
162898_151380441581539_100001287513880_282451_6496565_n (Small).jpg
A tipical Knabb Barrel works rail car for Hauling new Barrels
162898_151380441581539_100001287513880_282451_6496565_n (Small).jpg (41.86 KiB) Viewed 29136 times
Publickerc (Small).jpg
Harry Publicker's passport as a child coming from Russia
Publickerc (Small).jpg (84.88 KiB) Viewed 29136 times
Bootleg (Small).jpg
Story about a bootleg Plot against Publicker
Bootleg (Small).jpg (79.2 KiB) Viewed 29136 times
Extorsion (Small).jpg
Story about an atemped Extorsion of Harry Publicker
Extorsion (Small).jpg (68.45 KiB) Viewed 29136 times
User avatar
Kinsey Worker
Registered User
 
Posts: 144
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:49 am

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby EllenJ » Wed Jan 12, 2011 7:26 pm

Every once in awhile I get a chance to check back in with the folks on BourbonEnthusiast, and when I do it's mostly to see what Dave Z. has added to his outstanding collection of Publicker/Continental/Kinsey memorabelia. Now I see he's been joined by Butch of Bigler Street, who he's often referred to, both online and off. What a gain for those of us who value the (shunned and nearly forgotten) heritage of American Whiskey beyond the Kentucky border. Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, New York, Virginia, Missouri, Illinois... even Nebraska and Minnesota all have rich histories of distilling the Spirit of America from those Golden Waves of Grain.

But only Kentucky seems to be proud of it; the others would just as soon we go back to Prohibition where they think we belong.

THANK YOU, DAVE.
And Butch.
And the others who have added to Dave's very successful quest to make sure that Kinsey, and Continental, and Publicker will be remembered by those of us who care enough to read these postings.
=JOHN=
(the "Jaye" part of "L 'n' J dot com")
http://www.ellenjaye.com
User avatar
EllenJ
Registered User
 
Posts: 866
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Ohio-occupied Northern Kentucky (Cincinnati)

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby Kinsey Worker » Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:00 am

Well here are some more Publicker/Contiinental/Kinsey Pictures. the last five are from my friend Butch of Publickers Bigler Street plant from 1937 through 1941.
The first are ones of mine
1. Here is a Picture of 1520 Locust street in Phila the building Mr Kinsey had his office in from 1933 till 1939
2. My Friend who was high up in marketing At Publicker gave me what is the Only exsisting Aerial shot of Kinsey in fall 1947 when the 14 explosion proof warehouses were completed the same year I was born and around the month I was born. It needed lots of work to make it right so I had it rematted and cleaned and rewired to hang around $50. but well worth it. It took me 20 minutes and lots of trys to get a good shot through the Glass but I finally got a good one.
Note that the Warehouse U biggest one that became the 1966 Bottle house is not on the Picture as it was built in 1951. My Sams Distillery Mapping book gave me the dates each warehouse was built. 11 of them in 1946 and the last 3 in 1947. Bottle house one 1951.

3.Here is a pair of Si Neumans Poker Cards note S.S. on backs
4. My Friend who was high up had a couple of Si Neumans Old Cuban Cigars given him by Mr Neuman he saved them after Mr Neuman died, and gave me one this fall.
5. Publickers 16 story Headquarters at 1429 walnut Street Phila where all my Picture given me once Hung.
6. The Historic stairs in the Kinsey DSP-Pa. 10 Rye barn with india ink words stenciled on its side.
7. My friends who watch Kinsey took a special saw and carefully removed the section with the Historic writting and a piece of each step to save for History. Fricky will shlack it for me in the spring to protect the writting and I will pay to get a nice steel hanging Cable put on the back.
8 eight through 11 take you from 1941 to 1937 5 different directions of the Publicker Bigler Street Plant. These were given me by butch the First five are mine.


it is my Hope that these Pictures will be enjoyed by all.
kinsey Worker - Dave Z
Kinsey The Unhurried Whiskey For Unhurried Moments
Attachments
1520%20locust%20street.jpg
Here is a Picture of the Office Building at 1520 Locust street Jacob G Kinsey operated his office out of In Phila from 1933 till fall 1940 when he went bankrupt
1520%20locust%20street.jpg (18.82 KiB) Viewed 29025 times
Jan%209%2C2011%20010abcdefg%20%28Small%29%20%282%29.JPG
My friend who was high up at Publicker this fall gave me the only exsisting aerial Picture of Kinsey fall 1947 Just after the 14 explosion Proof warehouses had just been completed. Some were done in 1946 and the last 3 in 1947. The large explosion proof warehouse U that became the 1966 Bottle House was built in 1951 note it is not on the picture
Jan%209%2C2011%20010abcdefg%20%28Small%29%20%282%29.JPG (42.56 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
Jan%209%2C2011%20003%20%28Small%29.jpg
Some of Si Neumans Poker cards S.S.Neuman on back
Jan%209%2C2011%20003%20%28Small%29.jpg (21.22 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
Jan%209%2C2011%20005%20%28Small%29.jpg
One of Si Neumans Cuban cigars given to my friend when Mr Neuman was living he kept a couple to remember him and gave me one
Jan%209%2C2011%20005%20%28Small%29.jpg (13.1 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
167365_156731684379748_100001287513880_316846_4009099_n%20%28Small%29.jpg
Publicker/Continental Distilling world Headquarters 1429 Walnut street Phila. It is here where my Historic Pictures once hang on all of the 16 floors
167365_156731684379748_100001287513880_316846_4009099_n%20%28Small%29.jpg (68.1 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
DSCN0388xxcc%20%28Small%29.JPG
Stairs to what was the Pot sitll in the Jacob G Kinsey #10 Rye barn
DSCN0388xxcc%20%28Small%29.JPG (3.47 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
Jan%209%2C2011%20002zx%20%28Small%29.JPG
section of Historic DSP-pa-10 barn pot still stairs with historic Writting removed for me by my Friends who watch the place. Saved for History. I will be getting a wire put on to make it hangable and Fricky will shlack it for me in the spring to preserve the writting
Jan%209%2C2011%20002zx%20%28Small%29.JPG (25.36 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
34824_155742584478658_100001287513880_311594_312955_n%20%28Small%29.jpg
Bigler street Plant 1941
34824_155742584478658_100001287513880_311594_312955_n%20%28Small%29.jpg (58.33 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
163423_155740701145513_100001287513880_311592_7423935_nbigler1941%20%28Small%29.jpg
Bigler Street Plant 1941
163423_155740701145513_100001287513880_311592_7423935_nbigler1941%20%28Small%29.jpg (62.77 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
bigler%201939%20%28Small%29.jpg
Bigler street 1939
bigler%201939%20%28Small%29.jpg (65.59 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
165145_155740504478866_100001287513880_311591_6330261_nbigler1937%20%28Small%29.jpg
Bigler Street Plant 1937
165145_155740504478866_100001287513880_311591_6330261_nbigler1937%20%28Small%29.jpg (74.85 KiB) Viewed 29034 times
User avatar
Kinsey Worker
Registered User
 
Posts: 144
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:49 am

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby Kinsey Worker » Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:48 am

Here are a 3 pictures of rare Angelo Myers paper work when Mr Kinsey had him handling sales because of his High profile as a dealer in High quality Spirits!
1.An early ad for Kinsey with Angelo Myers
2. An early 1900's ad for Kinsey Straight Whiskey Marketed under the Angelo Myers Name
3. Here is an old order form for a case of Whiskey dater Mar 5th 1900 note it is from Philadelphia where mr Myers was and had his bussiness.

A little More about Mr Myers He never ever owned the Plant and Ludy worked there for Mr Kinsey and he was no where around, also Al Landis My Kinsey's great nepew has stated that Mr Myers was Mr Kinsey's way to get his product on the market, a few years before Prohibition Myers was gone and He never returned. Once mr Kinsey's straight Whiskey were tried by people he had his own way to market them because of their quality and flavor!
Kinsey Worker -- Dave Z -- Kinsey The Unhurried Whiskey For Unhurried Moments
=============================================================================
Attachments
a3434.jpg
Ad for Kinsey Straight Whiskey with the Distillery called Angelo Myers
a3434.jpg (47.77 KiB) Viewed 28846 times
a3433.jpg
ad for Kinsey whiskey with Angelo Myers as sales person
a3433.jpg (126.58 KiB) Viewed 28846 times
k3444kinsey.jpg
Here is a Picture of an Old order form from Angelo Myers for a case of Whiskey Mar 5 1900 this was the time period when Mr Kinsey was letting him do all the sales because he was one of the most well known Spirits brokers of that time
k3444kinsey.jpg (55.48 KiB) Viewed 28846 times
User avatar
Kinsey Worker
Registered User
 
Posts: 144
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:49 am

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby mike22487 » Sun May 01, 2011 5:33 am

Dave I sent you a pm. Let me know if you get it.
mike22487
Registered User
 
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:31 am
Location: West Palm Beach

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby Kinsey Worker » Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:15 pm

Well here are some new pictures from my album, Starting with picture
1. The Gin room at Publickers Inver House Distillery in Scotkand given me by Butch who worked for Publicker in Phila.
2. Chaple Hill Inver house Distillery Control room
3. Me At Kinsey this spring Butch took my picture in the ruins of the Old Kinsey Bottle house
4. Close up of the famous Old Hickory sign on the AA Building at Publicker Phila, that stood right next to the Walt Witman Bridge
5. Picture of Harry Publicker given me by Butch.

I have not been here for a few months as I for some weird reason could not log in, but thanks to Fricky getting hold of Chris he got things straighted out and I am very thankful to be back and posting today. I have many more pictures to post soon but wanted to just get some on today HELLO EVERYONE I AM BACK

"Kinsey The Unhurried Whiskey For Unhurried Moments"
Kinsey Worker
Attachments
225484_182193905166859_100001287513880_473713_796291_n (Medium).jpg
The Gin Room at Publickers Inver House Distillery Scotland back in the day picture from Butch
225484_182193905166859_100001287513880_473713_796291_n (Medium).jpg (77.37 KiB) Viewed 28416 times
222652_186046074781642_100001287513880_498856_7114496_n (Medium).jpg
Chapelhill Inver House Distillery the control room picture gotten from Butch
222652_186046074781642_100001287513880_498856_7114496_n (Medium).jpg (64.56 KiB) Viewed 28416 times
230226_183688215017428_100001287513880_483513_3580961_n (Small).jpg
Me this summer 2011 at Kinsey in the ruins of the Old Kinsey Bottle House picture taken by Butch who worked in Phila at Publicker
230226_183688215017428_100001287513880_483513_3580961_n (Small).jpg (43.62 KiB) Viewed 28416 times
226754_183807505005499_100001287513880_484201_7431179_n (Small).jpg
The AA building next to the Walt Witman Bridge Phila
226754_183807505005499_100001287513880_484201_7431179_n (Small).jpg (33.6 KiB) Viewed 28416 times
168104_160842663968650_100001287513880_339950_3495829_n.jpg
Photo of Harry Publicker
168104_160842663968650_100001287513880_339950_3495829_n.jpg (119.28 KiB) Viewed 28416 times
User avatar
Kinsey Worker
Registered User
 
Posts: 144
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:49 am

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby jessiebuch89 » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:17 pm

hey, my father in law owns a business here in new brighton PA about an hour outside of Pittsburgh. Well, we started buying waste oil to heat our garage with and had alot of guys bring in 55gal drums with oil in them.... almost a year later we are sifting through and emptying them into our big holding tank and we came across a drum with 190 proof ethyl alcohol in it... we got some laquor thinner out and wiped of the paint someone had painted over the printing on the drum and it said "Publicker Industries INC." i did some searching on the internet to find that this drum came from quite a place back in the day.... just wondering if anyone knew anything about this place or if this drum means anything to anyone that may have worked there.... because we have one unharmed and the name is still on it plain as day.... seems we have a piece of history here and dont want to just cut it up and scrap it! please email my personal email at: jessiebuch89@yahoo.com thank you!
jessiebuch89
Registered User
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:04 pm

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby EllenJ » Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:56 pm

Dave,

I don't get around here often anymore, but when I do I ALWAYS go directly to this thread to see what new things you've done.
And, as usual...

FREAKIN' WOW!!

I honestly believe there is not a single "deceased distillery" (and probably several "still-working" distilleries) that has been as carefully and thoroughly documented as Kinsey/Continental/Publicker. THANK YOU!!

We're all going to be gone before long. Yes, all us oldsters, some who really remember and some who only know folks who really remember.

But what you're doing here will keep Mr. Neuman and Mr. Landis, and Mr. Publicker and Mr. Ludy... and especially Mr. Ziegler alive forever among those of us who honor the American Spirit.

I don't wear hats that much (they tend to slide down on my bald head), but if I did I'd be taking mine off to you!

BTW: Why aren't you publishing this as a printed book? I know you're not a professional author; neither am I. But we have such as memebers of this forum. Isn't anyone out there up to recommending Dave Z to their own publishers? This would be a HUGE seller, and it NEEDS to be published... that is, if Dave ever reaches a point where he considers it "done". :D
=JOHN=
(the "Jaye" part of "L 'n' J dot com")
http://www.ellenjaye.com
User avatar
EllenJ
Registered User
 
Posts: 866
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Ohio-occupied Northern Kentucky (Cincinnati)

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby mike22487 » Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:32 am

I've never even thought of recommending that Dave write a book that is a really good idea. Ill definatly talk to him about it the next time I see him, he could even use some of the pictures I have taken back there.
mike22487
Registered User
 
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:31 am
Location: West Palm Beach

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby tradingboiler » Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:07 pm

These are the kind of stories that make me love the history of the whiskey industry. Great post guys!!
tradingboiler
Registered User
 
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:06 am
Location: Chicago, IL

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby fromfirsttolast627 » Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:34 pm

Hello Everyone,

I am currently a film major at Temple University and am in the process of putting together a piece for a final project this semester. My topic is on the old Kinsey Distillery in Limerick where I grew up. This place has always fascinated me each time I visit what is left of it. A few months ago, I became interested in the real story of this place, not just the fun in exploring it. It has been fairly difficult to find a lot of the information about it, but I have begun to find helpful information here. I would like to know if anyone could supply me with a fairly efficient history of this distillery and share any artifacts they have collected over the years. Also, it would be greatly appreciated if anyone would be willing to conduct any interviews to be placed into this project. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I look forward to hearing back!

Thank You.
fromfirsttolast627
Registered User
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:20 pm

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby Satty Beach » Fri Apr 06, 2012 3:06 pm

Thank you Kinsey worker. Great stuff. Limerick? Outside Pottstown? I had no idea.
Taken the cure.
User avatar
Satty Beach
Registered User
 
Posts: 92
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:09 am
Location: Satellite Beach, Fl

Re: My Days at Kinsey Distillery

Unread postby bigler street » Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:57 am

For any one interested, I do have a facebook group - Publicker Industries -Philadelphia, pa! I am Butch who worked at the Snyder Avenue and Bigler street plants in South Philly for 10 years and a friend of Dave who worked at the Linfield facility! You are all welcome to visit my group! :D
bigler street
Registered User
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:42 am

PreviousNext

Return to Bourbon Lore

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests

cron