Marion in Smyth County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Birthplace of Modern Mountain Dew
William H. "Bill" Jones of Marion played a pivotal role in the development of Mountain Dew, one of the top-selling sodas in the U.S. The drink originated as a clear lemon-lime beverage in Knoxville, TN, in the 1940s. Bottlers in Johnson City, TN, and Lumberton, NC, were among those who distributed early versions. In 1957 Jones became the president of Marion's Tip Corporation, at 517 N. Main Street. Tip, a formulator of flavors for soft drinks, acquired the trademark for Mountain Dew. After Jones refined the drink's formula ca. 1961, in part by conducting taste-tests with Marion residents, sales quickly increased and distributed expanded. The Pepsi-Cola Company purchased Tip Corporation in 1964.
Erected 2024 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-183.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 36° 50.297′ N, 81° 30.887′ W. Marker is in Marion, Virginia, in Smyth County. It is on North Main Street
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia and in the Blue Ridge Highlands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, 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: Governor David Campbell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Annabel Morris Buchanan (approx. 0.3 miles away); Marion & Rye Valley Railroad (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nolan Ryan and the Marion Mets (approx. 0.4 miles away); R.T. Greer & Company (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hungry Mother State Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carnegie High School
Another marker is no longer nearby. Col. William Elisha Peters (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 18 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
