Mrs. Wagner's Pies

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Mrs. Wagner Pies tin pan, c. 1940.

Mrs. Wagner's Pies were single-serving pies sold in waxed paper, produced by the Wagner Baking Company, originally located in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, and later in Brooklyn, New York.[1][2]

The eponymous Mrs. Wagner was selling homemade pies in Jersey City, New Jersey, as early as 1897.[3] She was Mary J. Wagner, wife of William Wagner; she died in Ocean Grove on March 31, 1911, aged 72.[4]

In September 1940, The Newark News described Mrs. Wagner's Pies as the "largest pie bakery in the country, with its home plant in Newark and five branches as far west as Chicago." Its president at the time was F. W. Birkenhauer.[5]

The company ceased operations in July 1966.[6][7]

In popular culture[edit]

The pies are mentioned in "America," a 1968 song by Simon and Garfunkel.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "WILLIAM BITTLES, FOUNDED PIE FIRM; Started Company in 1900 for the Sale of Mrs. Wagner's Products-Dies at 76 COMMERCE CHAMBER HEAD Served in Newark 1924-1929 --Had Been President of National Pie Bakers". New York Times. August 31, 1943.
  2. ^ Women's Heritage Trail Archived 2014-11-09 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "(untitled)". The Pittsfield Sun. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. July 22, 1987. p. 9. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "County Items". Monmouth Democrat. Freehold, New Jersey. April 6, 1911. p. 1. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Food industry tasted success in the city". The Star-Ledger. December 22, 2005. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007.
  6. ^ "PIE CONCERN FACING BANKRUPTCY ACTION". New York Times. August 20, 1966.
  7. ^ "Plant is Closed by Pie Company". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. July 13, 1966. p. 48. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "America" (lyrics) – paulsimon.com. Archived 2019-05-18 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved December 25, 2019

External links[edit]