St. Louis, Missouri: Giant Vess Soda Bottle

This giant replica of a Vess Soda bottle was originally erected in 1953. It's 25.5 feet high, weighs 2,000 pounds, and was designated a City Landmark in 1990.

Nice to see it restored and looking good. Wish you could get closer but the entire area in which it is located is in a very derelict section of downtown and there are a lot fences. I had an issue finding it and pulled over and asked a construction worker if he knew where it was. He did, noting that it was in front of a building where all the bums live and sleep. As I pulled off, he cautioned me to be careful and not get too far from my car. I heeded his warnings, got some nice photos and didn't see anything that made me push the lock button on my rental car. Go see it for sure, but remain vigilant.

This bottle has been around for decades, even generations, but not in this location. It stood for many years at the corner of Gravois and Hampton at what used to be "the end of the car line," where the streetcar tracks from the city ended near River Des Peres. It had the green Vess bottle on one side and the orange Whistle bottle on the other. That location is now a Metro bus station.

Its current location is in the Bottle District, named not for the giant Vess bottle but for a huge number of old bottles uncovered in an excavation of what was apparently a glass bottle plant at one time. The location is near where some wanted to pour more public money into a new football stadium before the Rams took off to return to L.A. to make even more money.

Giant bottle of Vess, The Billion Bubble Beverage. Recently refurbished. Can be seen from the interstate. Close to the old Rams football stadium.

Do not go at night. Bad part of town with no lights. Looks like they are about to tear it down. Not worth it!