A German native of Alsace, Charles Kappler came to the United States in 1852 speaking no English. He labored at breweries in Sacramento and Yreka before purchasing a brewery at Hartstrand Gulch in Scott Valley in 1868. In 1872 he moved his brewery three miles south to the small town of Etna Mills. The beginning of Etna Brewery, a successful enterprise which endured until the enactment of Prohibition in 1920. In addition to the brewery his sons owned saloons throughout Siskiyou County - Prohibition was a severe blow to the entire family. Charles Kappler died on his 74th birthday in 1920.

This building was located directly across from the street from the current brewery location. It was demolished in early 1930, ten years after the enactment of prohibition.

Martin Marx, Joe Stark, & Joe Kappler busily bottling Etna brew. Martin Marx, sitting in trough with open bottle, must be in charge of quality control! This bottling facility was located on the grounds of the current brewery.