Bloch Brothers Tobacco Works in Wheeling

The Bloch Brothers Tobacco Works of South Wheeling was founded by brothers Aaron and Samuel Bloch in 1879. In those days, the Blochs were making hand-rolled stogies, but soon noticed that their employees enjoyed chewing the leftover tobacco bits that fell out as the stogies were rolled. Seeing an opportunity, the Blochs packaged up those bits and sold them as West Virginia “Mail Pouch” tobacco.

Co-founder Samuel Bloch built his family mansion on National Road in 1902 and named it “Elmhurst.” After his death, the mansion was converted into a retirement community, “Elmhurst, The House of Friendship.”

In 1992, Swisher International obtained the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company. 

▶ Article about the 75th Anniversary of Bloch Bros. (1954) 

Location

▶ 4000 Water Street (now Swisher International)

Images

Photograph by James Janos, 1998

Photograph by James Janos, 1998

Additional Resources

▶ Vertical File: Bloch Bros. Tobacco, Wheeling Room, non-circulating, ask for access at the reference desk.
▶ The art & advertising of Bloch Bros. Tobacco Co., Wheeling, West Virginia, Thornton, James H, 2002.
   Call#: 338.4 T395a 2002
▶ Mail Pouch, Fulks, Danny, 1996. Wheeling Room, non-circulating, ask for access at the reference desk.
   Call#: Wheeling 338.4 T482
▶ Mail Pouch Barns of West Virginia, Shaluta, Stephen J., 2010. Call#: 338.4 Sh16m 2010