Both the new and old owners were major donors to the restoration campaign. It seems nearly everyone in Collinsville has a connection to catsup. Many worked at the plant when it was open or are related to a former employee. Judy DeMoisy is one of those few without a connection. The DeMoisy family was transferred there only a relatively short time before the catsup bottle drive began.
Timing is often everything.
The St. Louis Antique Bottle Collectors Association helped promote the restoration. They were instrumental in finding an original 1949 Brooks Tangy Catsup bottle with label and contents intact to use as a guide for the restoration of the water tower. Ralph Finch, an antique bottle collector from Southfield, Michigan, cooperated by loaning several bottles from his collection. Click here for an interactive map from Mapblast . A visit is worth the trip as a great example of Americana and community pride.