Today in Wheeling History--October 15--Aaron and Samuel Bloch made their first sale of Mail Pouch chewing tobacco in Wheeling, launching a brand that would become an iconic part of American rural landscapes and a significant contributor to Wheeling's industrial growth (1879).
Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco, one of Wheeling's most iconic products, was created by the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company. Founded by Aaron and Samuel Bloch in 1879, the company initially produced cigars. The idea for Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco came about when the brothers decided to use leftover cigar clippings, flavor them, and package them in paper bags. On October 15, 1879, the first sale of Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco took place.This innovative product quickly gained popularity, especially among local coal miners. By 1897, Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco had become the company's signature product. The brand's fame grew significantly due to its unique advertising strategy, which involved painting "Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco - Treat Yourself to the Best" on over 20,000 barns across the rural Ohio River Valley. This rustic advertising method became a symbol of Americana. The company also employed Harley Warrick, a painter who became synonymous with the Mail Pouch barn signs, painting between 16,000 and 18,000 barns during his 35-year career. Today, Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco is still produced by Swisher International Group, continuing its legacy as a beloved American product.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/2p8ykdzn); Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/FeMCc), Historical Marker Database (https://shorturl.at/rvlXh), West Virginia Executive (https://shorturl.at/8WLI1), Archiving Wheeling (https://shorturl.at/TLb0x), Hillsdale County Historical Society (https://shorturl.at/mbVaJ)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Historical Marker Database, Hillsdale County Historical Society
Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco, one of Wheeling's most iconic products, was created by the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company. Founded by Aaron and Samuel Bloch in 1879, the company initially produced cigars. The idea for Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco came about when the brothers decided to use leftover cigar clippings, flavor them, and package them in paper bags. On October 15, 1879, the first sale of Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco took place.This innovative product quickly gained popularity, especially among local coal miners. By 1897, Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco had become the company's signature product. The brand's fame grew significantly due to its unique advertising strategy, which involved painting "Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco - Treat Yourself to the Best" on over 20,000 barns across the rural Ohio River Valley. This rustic advertising method became a symbol of Americana. The company also employed Harley Warrick, a painter who became synonymous with the Mail Pouch barn signs, painting between 16,000 and 18,000 barns during his 35-year career. Today, Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco is still produced by Swisher International Group, continuing its legacy as a beloved American product.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/2p8ykdzn); Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/FeMCc), Historical Marker Database (https://shorturl.at/rvlXh), West Virginia Executive (https://shorturl.at/8WLI1), Archiving Wheeling (https://shorturl.at/TLb0x), Hillsdale County Historical Society (https://shorturl.at/mbVaJ)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Historical Marker Database, Hillsdale County Historical Society
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