Schlitz Brewing Company Warehouse; Lidia's Restaurant

The Milwaukee-based brewing giant Schlitz established a depot near 9th Street and State Line in the West Bottoms in 1900. Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Schlitz sold franchise agreements with local distributors, and Kansas City's franchise was acquired by mobster John Lazia. In 1956, Schlitz purchased the George Muehlebach Brewery, a vast complex in the River Market area from 3rd to 5th Streets and Oak to Grand.

Joseph Schlitz's Milwaukee brewery traces its roots to 1848 when August Krug established a brewer. Schlitz worked as Krug's bookkeeper and took over the operation when Krug passed away in 1854.

H. James Maxwell and Bob Sullivan. Hometown Beer - A History of Kansas City's Breweries. Kansas City, MO. Omega Innovative Marketing, 1999.