Downtown in Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Home of Dr. Pepper, the Nation's Oldest Major Soft Drink
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 6, 2016
1. Home of Dr Pepper, the Nation's Oldest Major Soft Drink Marker
The Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Co.
Originally, Dr. Pepper was invented at the Old Corner Drugstore (4th Street and Austin Avenue) in 1885 by pharmacist Charles Alderton and patented by the owner of the Old Corner Drugstore, Wade Morrison. The Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company (AMBC) was formed in 1891 to manufacture and bottle Dr. Pepper.
This property at the corner of 5th Street and Mary Avenue was purchased by the AMBC in 1905. Milton Scott, a local architect, designed the building, which opened in 1906. The first floor held offices, an artesian well, and a bottling line. The second floor was specifically designed for making syrups for Dr. Pepper, Circle A Ginger Ale, and other soft drinks. Water for the plant was purified, and the plants sugar supply was stored on the third floor.
Transformations
This building served as national headquarters until 1923 when the company moved to Dallas, but continued as a bottling franchise. In 1953, a section of the west wall was destroyed by an F5 tornado that heavily damaged downtown Waco. The buildings scar can still be seen from Mary Street.
During
this page online
New Life
In 1985, Waco community leaders formed a unique partnership with the Dr. Pepper Company to create a public soft drink museum. The Dr. Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute was founded in this building and opened to the public on May 11, 1991. Today the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Home of Dr. Pepper.
Come Inside to learn more about this out of the ordinary soft drink.
Captions
(Photo #1) RIGHT: The AMBC in the 1910s with wagons ready to deliver Dr. Pepper and Circle A Ginger Ale.
(Photo #2) BELOW: The original plans for the first floor by architect Milton Scott.
(Photo #3) RIGHT: In 1988, Dr. Pepper/Seven-Up, Inc. presented the deed for ther building to the Dr. Pepper Museum.
(Photo #4) LEFT: The wound created by the 1953 tomado was quickly repaired, but a scar remains on the side.
(Photo #5) BELOW: Tornado damage to the building in 1953.
(Photo #6) ABOVE: Opening day May 11, 1991
Interpretive courtyard signs were made possible by the generous contributions of Wilton Lanning, Jr., the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy, and Central Texas Iron Works Waco.
Topics.
Photographed by James Hulse, August 4, 2022
2. Home of Dr Pepper, the Nation's Oldest Major Soft Drink Marker
Location. 31° 33.3′ N, 97° 7.774′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of South 5th Street and Mary Ave on South 5th Street. The marker is located on the grounds of the Dr. Pepper Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 South Fifth Street, Waco TX 76701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cooper Grocery Co. & Delivery Truck (a few steps from this marker); DP Neon Sign & Old AMBC Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr Pepper Co Boiler & Painted Dr Pepper Sign
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 6, 2016
3. Dr Pepper Museum
The Dr Pepper Museum is housed in the building whose history is explained in this historical marker. The marker is located on the far right of this photo, in the building's public courtyard.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 6, 2016
4. Dr Pepper Museum
Memorabilia and other objects on display within the Dr Pepper Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 404 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 19, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 2. submitted on April 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on April 19, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
