Marion in Smyth County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Home of Mountain Dew

— Marion History Walk —

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

1. Home of Mountain Dew Marker

Inscription. The soft drink was invented here by Bill Jones in the late 1950s. He took the original recipe, which was developed as a “chaser” for hard liquor, and added “secret” ingredients to make it into one of the top-selling soft drinks worldwide. The building where the drink was formulated is located less than a mile from here at 517 North Main Street.

Erected by Marion Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 36° 50.008′ N, 81° 31.117′ W. Marker is in Marion, Virginia, in Smyth County. Marker is on East Main Street (U.S. 11) west of North Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the sidewalk in front of the Smyth County Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 E Main St, Marion VA 24354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marion College (a few steps from this marker); The Lincoln Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Hungry Mother State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Southwestern State Mental Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); General Francis Marion (within shouting distance of this marker); Marion Musical Heritage Mural

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(within shouting distance of this marker); R.T. Greer & Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Nolan Ryan and the Marion Mets (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.

Also see . . .
1. Johnson City, Marion or Knoxville: Where did Mountain Dew begin?. Debate over who created Mountain Dew, and where he (or they) created it, continues to this day. (Jessica Fuller, WJHL-TV, posted July 19, 2019) (Submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Yahoo— Mountain Dew!. There’s no dispute that a trademark application for a soda named Mountain Dew was filed on November 12, 1948 with the U.S. Patent Office by Hartman Beverage Co. of Knoxville, TN. After that the path of Mountain Dew to its current worldwide popularity breaks into a number of offshoots that parallel, intertwine, and circle back. (Dave Tabler, Appalachian History blog series, posted Aug. 24, 2018) (Submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

2. Home of Mountain Dew Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 667 times since then and 160 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.