 n the decades before prohibition took effect in
1916 Oregonians slaked their collective thirst with a great number of local brews and
spirits. They also chose from a variety of concoctions imported from other states and
countries. The freewheeling capitalism that prevailed in this period created a need for
liquor manufacturers to differentiate their products from those of their competitors. To
accomplish this they turned to artists who designed colorful bottle labels meant to evoke
the beauty of the location or even the romance of an imagined time or place. The tired and
thirsty drinker was thus enticed to leave the troubles of the day behind. The following
images are a small sample of the trademark labels held by the Oregon State Archives.
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