Knoxville
Birthplace of Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew was born right here in Knoxville at 1921 East Magnolia Avenue. This area is the former home of Hartman Beverage, owned and operated by Barney and Ally Hartman. Here in 1948 the brothers created and trademarked the soft drink Mountain Dew as a clear lemon-lime flavored drink. The first franchise for Mountain Dew was issued in 1954 to Charlie Gordon’s Tri-City Beverage of Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1958 Tri-City Plant Manager, Bill Bridgeforth, developed a new citrus-lemonade flavor for Mountain Dew, which is the taste of Mountain Dew today.
The Tip Corporation of Marion, Virginia, obtained the rights to this formula. William H. "Bill" Jones of the Tip Corporation further refined the formula launching a new version of Mountain Dew in 1961. Three years later in 1964, the Pepsi-Cola Company acquired the production rights to the Mountain Dew brand from the Tip Corporation. Pepsi expanded distribution across the nation, and it became the third biggest soft drink in the U.S.
Erected 2020 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1E 132.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Magnolia Avenue History (within shouting distance of this marker); Ruth Cobb Brice (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Magnolia Avenue History (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Ruth Cobb Brice (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Beauford Delaney (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Magnolia Avenue History (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Clair Cobb (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 945 times since then and 259 times this year. Last updated on July 27, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
