Our Prodigious Pickle Producing Past

William Bros. & Charbonneau catalog, c. 1900

Pickle packers have always been a prosperous presence in our part of Michigan. Local production of pickles is presently popular given the public’s passion for Perkin’s, McCLure’s, Topor’s and Suddenly Sauer. However, a century ago, Detroiters procured packages of pickles prepared by William Bros. & Charbonneau, headquartered at 19th Street and Grand River Avenue. They had eleven factories from Pinckney to Perry, with others scattered in places like Waterford, Manchester, and Grass Lake. Patrons could pick a pickle style for any palate, including French, English, or American, and pack their pantries with parceled portions of pickles from petite to profuse. – D.S.

Pickle Pine Pails

Pickle Picnic Pints