Louisa County Historical Society: Brown glass medicine bottles

Pictured, a brown glass packing bottle, circa 1920.

Medicine has changed drastically in the last century. Gone are the days of regular house calls and compounded medicines courtesy of your local family physician. Yet, many in Louisa can still recall that not-so-distant past. Born in 1885, Dr. Eugene B. Pendleton was one such doctor here in Louisa County who practiced medicine out of Cuckoo for 55 years. During the depression era of the 1930s, he often accepted vegetables and produce as payment for his services. Dr. Pendleton married Ruth Mildred McLean and raised several children.

Brown glass bottles were used as light-dampening packing containers for chemical compounds during the 20th century. Marks on the bases of these glass bottles date their production from 1915 until roughly 1960. These bottles were produced by the Illinois and later Owens-Illinois glass factory. Owens-Illinois led the way for the transition from blown bottles to fully machine made glass bottles.

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A draft regional housing plan was released to the public, including a number of recommendations for affordable rental and ownership options in Louisa.

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