And the West is History: Kellenberger Liquor Wagon advertising card – ca. 1900

Swiss immigrant John Kellenberger opened his saloon and retail liquor business in 1892, about 10 years after Durango was founded. His establishment was located at 949 Main Ave., today’s the location of Mountain Bike Specialists. Kellenberger was very successful, known across Colorado for a beverage he called a Raspberry Julep, which may or may not have contained alcohol. He later became Durango’s fist Coca-Cola bottler. Here, his wagons are shown hauling Old Crow, McBrayer, Columbine and Guckenheimer whiskey barrels. All except Columbine are still sold today. An early ad for Guckenheimer Whiskey read: “You can’t say it after three of ‘em!” – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Catalog Number: 86.03.14 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)