"Pasteurized-Pure" Drinking Water Carton Used on the Santa Fe Railroad

01

Artifact Overview

Chartered in 1859, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway connected Chicago with southern California via the southwestern United States. This carton, which contained drinking water, was likely distributed to Santa Fe work crews. It featured the railroad's logo, an illustration of a worker alongside a railroad track, and a reminder to be safe on the job.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Carton (Container)

Creator Notes

Made by the International Paper Company, New York, New York, under license from the Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Michigan, and filled by the MPM Company, Kansas City, Kansas.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2024.247.3

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Wax

Color

White (Color)
Blue (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 3 in
Width: 2.75 in
Length: 2.75 in

Inscriptions

on front of carton: "Pasteurized Pure" / DRINKING WATER / FILLED BY / MPM COMPANY / KANSAS CITY. KANSAS / 8 FL. OZ. on side of carton: TO OPEN / "Pasteurized Pure" / DRINKING WATER / Please don't litter! Place empty / cartons in waste container / 8 FL. OZ. on back of carton: Work like a "Pro" / Santa Fe on side of carton: "Pasteurized Pure" / DRINKING WATER / SPOTLIGHT / SAFETY / 8 FL. OZ. on top folds: PUSH UP / HERE / PUSH UP / HERE / PURE-PAK / TO OPEN on top folds: 17-B081-720A / 12 / SEALED / PATENTS ISSUED AND PENDING / BLANKS made under license from / EX-CELL-O CORPORATION by / INTERNATIONAL PAPER / LIQUID PACKAGING DIV., NEW YORK