Mukilteo Brewery (c.1865-1878)

In 1861, partners Morris H. Frost and Jacob D. Fowler established a settlement on Point Elliot, a favored fishing site of the Snohomish tribe, who called it Mukilteo. The partners platted a town site, built a hotel, general merchandise store, and a saloon. A few years later they built a brewery that was just called the Mukilteo Brewery. It was built in a ravine that became known as Brewery Gulch. The ravine was located at the rear of Fowler’s property, and it had a stream that provided ample pure water used for high quality lager beer. The stream was dammed so as to supply water power for the malting mill, via a 10-horsepower water wheel.

According to the History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, published in 1890, Frost & Fowler undertook a selfish policy of refusing to sell real estate. This practice proved detrimental to the expansion of their settlement and ultimately to their joint business venture.

The 1867 Pacific Coast Business Directory indicates that the partners leased the brewery to Joseph Butterfield, an experienced brewer who had partnered with Martin Schmieg in establishing breweries in Steilacom (1858-1861), and Seattle (1865-1865). However, as was his habit, Butterfield didn't stay long.

Prior to the Federal census, taken in July 1870, an English brewer named Jacob Barth had leased the plant. Then the Territorial census, taken in April 1871, lists a Swiss named Jacob Rippstein as the brewer. This seems to have been a pattern - hiring brewers and/or leasing the operation outright. The Puget Sound Directory and Guide to Wash. Terr., 1872 includes an ad indicating Frost & Fowler as proprietors of the Mukilteo Brewery, but they weren't brewers themselves.

1872 ad for the Mukilteo Brewery

 A newspaper article from Seattle's Daily Intelligencer, dated 3 Nov. 1877, stated:

"The Mukilteo Brewery is running and doing a good business, and they have one of the best brewery buildings in the Territory and plenty of good water. They make a good article of beer. They are only commencing and yet they now make thirty barrels of beer a month. They grind their malt by water power. Capt. Frost is still here, the man who owns the property."

From the above article, it appears that the Mukilteo Brewery had been shut down for a period of time - perhaps for plant improvements. The article also makes it clear that Frost is just the owner of the property and doesn't mention who is managing the brewery.

It has been suggested that Joseph Butterfield returned in 1875 and resumed operating the brewery, calling it the Eagle Brewery, and when he departed he sold the brewery back to Frost & Fowler for $600. This is yet to be confirmed, but it's unlikely that if he owned the property he would only receive $600 upon selling. However, upon vacating a lease, a $600 payment for stock on hand and other assets seems reasonable.

It may be that the brewery was referred to as either the Mukilteo Brewery or the Eagle Brewery prior to 1878.

Seattle's Daily Intelligencer ad Nov. 1877

Frost & Fowler shipped their beer to Seattle and other outlets on the Puget Sound, in any of their three sailing vessels, the Gazelle, the Tibbals, and the Pigeon.

By the end of 1877, due in part to the partner's monopolistic practices, coupled with economic forces beyond their control, Frost & Fowler found their holdings in receivership.
 

Eagle Brewery, Mukilteo (1878-1882)

The Jan. 1, 1878 issue of the Seattle Daily Intelligencer, posted a Notice of Sherrif's Sale of Real Estate to be held on Feb. 3, 1878. As a result of the sale, Cantieni & Co. became the new owners of the Mukilteo Brewery, and continued with the name, Eagle Brewery. The Weekly Pacific Star reported on Aug. 21, 1878 that the brewery was being rebuilt, and according to the Snohomish Northern Star:

"..the new owners have completely refitted the plant, and the Eagle Brewery is now furnishing the best beer in the Territory."

Northern Star ad from May 1879

The Swiss brewer, George Cantieni, had previously operated a brewery at Black River (near the Renton Mine). He had partnered with the afore mentioned, Martin Schmieg, and was a proficient brewer and manager.

Perhaps tiring of Mukilteo, he began running the following notice in May of 1880, in the Seattle Daily Intellegencer:

"FOR SALE - The well known Eagle Brewery situated at Mukilteo, Snohomish county, W.T. The building is 40x60 feet, three stories high, with hydraulic power. A never failing stream of soft water suitable for brewing purposes. Well supplied with Tubs, Casks and Kegs, and convenient to daily steamboat navigation.
Persons wishing to invest in such property will do well to examine the premises before purchasing elsewhere."

Responding to this notice was Seattle grocer and butcher, Frederick V. Snyder. While not a brewer himself, in May of 1881, he purchased a majority share of Cantieni's company, who then stayed on as the brewery manager. Cantieni no doubt stayed to protect his remaining financial interest in the business.

Seattle Daily Intellegencer ad 1881

In addition to selling in the local market, Snyder's Lager beer (actually Steam beer) was shipped by boat 25 miles south to Seattle, as his predecessor had done. His investment proved profitable and "Mukilteo Beer" was well received in Seattle and elsewhere on the Sound.

Seven years earlier, in July of 1875, Snyder's slaughterhouse, located at the head of Elliott Bay, was destroyed by fire. Unfortunately, tragedy was about to strike again. On July 21, 1882, Snyder's Eagle Brewery was completely destroyed by fire. A newspaper report stated that the manager, George Cantieni, barely escaped with his life.

La Connor's Puget Sound Mail reported that the brewery was to be rebuilt immediately. The structure to be 40x40, three stories high, and built on the original site. However, Snyder must have realized that rather than ship beer to Seattle, his largest market, it would make more sense to rebuild there. At this time there were only two breweries in Seattle to compete with - Mehlhorn's North Pacific Brewery and Slorah's Seattle Brewery.

On Aug. 26, 1882, the Daily Post-Intellegencer reported:

"F.V. Snyder has given up the idea of rebuilding the Eagle Brewery at Mukilteo, but has the lumber on the ground for a building 40x60, two stories high, to be used by him as a brewery, near the site of his old slaughterhouse at the head of Elliott Bay. Mr. Snyder has two blocks of land in a body, in which there is living stream of pure spring water, from which he expects to make a fine article of beer. He will fence the property, beautify the grounds and make the place a pleasant resort. Few men work harder and meet with more reverses than Fred. Snyder, but he is plucky, and pluck will win in the end."

 

Eagle Brewery (1882-1883)
"Seattle's forgotten brewery"

Snyder's Seattle brewery was completed under the guidance of Geo. Cantieni, his brewmaster and plant manager. On November 2nd of '82, the new Eagle Brewery began brewing its first batch, and on December 3rd the Daily Post-Intelligencer reported:

"F.V. Snyder is ready to sell beer to all the town and country. He is now firmly fixed with his brewery in the southern end of town, where he awaits customers and orders."

newspaper ad, 1883

Snyder's beer was back, and doing well. The popular Harmony Beer Hall advertised: "..Snyder's and Slorah's Beers constantly on hand."

In the Spring of 1883, Snyder and Canteini dissolved their partnership, and Canteini took a position with a brewery in Victoria, B.C. 

Also that Spring, improvements were made to Snyder's property adjacent to the brewery. This was in preparations for a public Beer Garden. A newspaper account from June of '83 outlined his plans:

"He is converting the grounds into an elegant beer garden. The brewery, located in a pretty grove which is being cleaned out and fitted up with stationary seats, tables, and other conveniences, besides this, a large dancing platform is being laid for the convenience of the dancers. On July 4th this pleasure will be thrown open to the public for the first time."

The Eagle Beer Garden opening was a great success, and the future looked bright. However, that was not to be. Early on the Sunday morning of 14 Oct. 1883, a fire broke out and entirely destroyed the brewery, together with the contents. The loss was estimated at over $10,000 and only partially covered by insurance.

Five days later, the Daily Post-Intelligencer reported that Snyder said, he was uncertain what he will do hereafter, but he will not re-enter the business of brewing beer. After paying up debts, he will enter another line of trade.

The "pluck" had completely gone out of Frederick Victor Snyder.

He returned to his previous trade of wholesale butcher and built a slaughter house on Elliot Bay's Smith Cove. He and his wife, Frieda, ran the business until April of 1890 when Frederick died at the age of 62.

He left a widow and four children, the youngest of which was only a year old. The only asset the widow had was a piece of real estate in Mukilteo. This would have been the site of the original Eagle Brewery.
 

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Note:  The Eagle & Keg graphic is not authentic. It's a conceptual depiction of what the brewery's logo could have been. I'm sure Snyder would have approved.

 

Article by Gary Flynn

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