Jos. Laurer Brewery pg. 3

The offices were in the two story building in the
rear. On the left is the Bowladome, once the brewery.
On the right is the old bottling works.
This picture was taken in 1993

The Jos. Laurer Brewery and Bottling Works was founded in 1892. The brewery was built by Joseph Laurer. However he committed suicide June 18, 1892, one week before the brewery was to open. At the time of Joseph's death, L.S. Baldwin, Jacob Schwab, and John O'Hara were also members of the board of directors. George Laurer Sr., (Joseph's brother) was brought in from Syracuse to open the brewery. George Laurer Sr. was the brew master of the brewery from 1892 to 1894. Joseph's son, Anthony, ran the Laurer Beer Bottling Co.
The brewery closed when prohibition was enacted in 1920. It reopened as the Laurer Beverage Co. in 1934 when prohibition was repealed. It was vacant from 1935 until 1949 when the brewery became the Laurel Bowladome. The Bottling works is now the Bates Troy Laundry.

A gentleman by the name of John Ehresman "... had an office down the hall. But he only brewed lager." According to Magdalena, Joseph's daughter who died in 1982.

More than 100 years after the Jos. Laurer Brewery opened, and even 70 years after the brewery closed, it is still in the hearts of those in Binghamton. The article to the left appeared in the Press & Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, NY February 28, 2004

This old photo (circa 1920) shows contraband beer being destroyed by the authorities.
The keg (#1) is clearly marked "JOS. LAURER BRG. CO."
Cases #2 & #4 appear to be marked "JOSEPH LAURER"
Case #3 appears to be marked "EMHANRARAN ... Binghamton, NY"
The gentleman (#5) has the build and looks of the Laurer's and may well be one of the brothers at age 45 or so. If it is, the picture was probably staged since I assume no Laurer would have been anywhere near the place.
Also note the solid rear tires on the truck.

This photo (circa 1941) appears to be taken at the rear of the office/brewery building.

Robert T. Walters sent me (9/98) the following information from the book:
"100 years of brewing"

"John Ehresman & Company, Binghamton-The firm mentioned has been in continuous business since the year 1882. Ale and Porter have been manufactured from the first, a new plant being erected upon the site of the original brewery in 1900"
"Joseph Laurer Brewing Company, Binghamton-The business of this concern was commenced as the Laurer Brewing Company in 1892, and in 1894 the company assumed its present name. The product of the plant is lager beer, which is also bottled on the premises."

This apparently explains the connection between Mr. Ehresman and the Laurers. It also explains why the picture in the advertisement below does not resemble the brewery in the 1993 picture above.

For better pictures of this advertisement and additional advertisements (Circa 1900), follow this link.

It is interesting to note that the ads give the "Downtown Office" as A. Garvey's, 20 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY.
Mr. Garvey was a major stock holder in the brewery.
Please see: Memorabilia that others have to see brewerainia Mike Garvey of Sare, PA. has.

Garvey's Pub
20 Chenango St.
Binghamton, NY

The Laurer Brewers:

Four brothers came over from Germany in 1867. They were:
George (age 1 yr.), Anthony (age 8 yrs.), Joseph (age 19 yrs.), and Louis

GEORGE was brew master of Jos. Laurer Brewery, Binghamton, NY,
Bartels, Syracuse, NY, Greenway, Syracuse, NY, one in Philadelphia, PA ,
and another in Dansville, NY.
LOUIS (or possibly Anthony) was brew master of the West End Brewery, Utica, NY
JOSEPH, in addition to the brewery above, was brew master of Barthomay, Rochester, NY (around 1884), and Eagle Brewery, Utica, NY

We would appreciate hearing from anyone with information.

If anyone worked in one of these breweries or bottling works,
or if they know someone who did, we would really like to hear from you.

Revised: March 2004
Return to HOME page.

For my e-mail address information
please go to my address page.

More than 100 years after the Jos. Laurer Brewery opened, and even 70 years after the brewery closed, it is still in the hearts of those in Binghamton. The article to the left appeared in the Press & Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, NY February 28, 2004

This photo (circa 1941) appears to be taken at the rear of the office/brewery building.

Robert T. Walters sent me (9/98) the following information from the book:
"100 years of brewing"

This apparently explains the connection between Mr. Ehresman and the Laurers. It also explains why the picture in the advertisement below does not resemble the brewery in the 1993 picture above.

For better pictures of this advertisement and additional advertisements (Circa 1900), follow this link.

It is interesting to note that the ads give the "Downtown Office" as A. Garvey's, 20 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY.
Mr. Garvey was a major stock holder in the brewery.
Please see: Memorabilia that others have to see brewerainia Mike Garvey of Sare, PA. has.

Garvey's Pub
20 Chenango St.
Binghamton, NY

The Laurer Brewers:

We would appreciate hearing from anyone with information.

If anyone worked in one of these breweries or bottling works,
or if they know someone who did, we would really like to hear from you.

Revised: March 2004
Return to HOME page.

For my e-mail address information
please go to my address page.

More than 100 years after the Jos. Laurer Brewery opened, and even 70 years after the brewery closed, it is still in the hearts of those in Binghamton. The article to the left appeared in the Press & Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, NY February 28, 2004

This photo (circa 1941) appears to be taken at the rear of the office/brewery building.

Robert T. Walters sent me (9/98) the following information from the book: "100 years of brewing"

This apparently explains the connection between Mr. Ehresman and the Laurers. It also explains why the picture in the advertisement below does not resemble the brewery in the 1993 picture above.

For better pictures of this advertisement and additional advertisements (Circa 1900), follow this link.

It is interesting to note that the ads give the "Downtown Office" as A. Garvey's, 20 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY. Mr. Garvey was a major stock holder in the brewery. Please see: Memorabilia that others have to see brewerainia Mike Garvey of Sare, PA. has.

Garvey's Pub 20 Chenango St. Binghamton, NY

The Laurer Brewers:

We would appreciate hearing from anyone with information.

If anyone worked in one of these breweries or bottling works, or if they know someone who did, we would really like to hear from you.

Revised: March 2004 Return to HOME page.

For my e-mail address information please go to my address page.

Robert T. Walters sent me (9/98) the following information from the book:
"100 years of brewing"

It is interesting to note that the ads give the "Downtown Office" as A. Garvey's, 20 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY.
Mr. Garvey was a major stock holder in the brewery.
Please see: Memorabilia that others have to see brewerainia Mike Garvey of Sare, PA. has.

Garvey's Pub
20 Chenango St.
Binghamton, NY

If anyone worked in one of these breweries or bottling works,
or if they know someone who did, we would really like to hear from you.

Revised: March 2004
Return to HOME page.

For my e-mail address information
please go to my address page.