Lodi in San Joaquin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The First A&W Root Beer
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 2, 2011
1. The First A&W Root Beer Marker
On June 4th, 1919, Lodi held a homecoming parade for the soldiers returning from WWI. It was from a temporary stand at this location, 13 West Pine, that Roy Allen gave away his root beer. The beverage proved popular, and two week later Allen set up his root beer store in Lodi.
One hot day in June of 1919
Roy Allen
served the
first frosty
mug of
creamy
A&W Root Beer
in Lodi, California
Dedicated to the City of Lodi, this 14th day of July, 2001
Erected 2001.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1919.
Location. 38° 8.055′ N, 121° 16.374′ W. Marker is in Lodi, California, in San Joaquin County. Marker is on West Pine Street near Sacramento Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13 West Pine Street, Lodi CA 95240, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lodi Opera House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lodi Mission Arch (within shouting distance of this marker); Lodi Arch (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Lodi (Mokelumne Station) (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Lodi (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Valley Review (approx. 0.2 miles away); City Hall, Fire House and Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hale Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lodi.
Also see . . .
1. A&W Root Beer
this page online
2. History of A&W Root Beer. Rootbeer.com (A&W) provides the history of A&W. (Submitted on April 7, 2011.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 2, 2011
2. Not the first, but the closest to the first
The original A&W stand at 13 West Pine Street was open less than five years, but by then A&W had already expanded to a number of other locations in California. This A&W is located at 216 East Lodi Street (about 6 blocks from the original A&W location), and was opened in 1954. There are currently more than 1,200 A&W restaurants throughout the world. In addition to being the closest to the original location, this restaurant also has the distinction of housing one of the largest collections of A&W memorabilia in the world.
June 4, 1919
3. June 4th, 1919 homecoming parade in Lodi - looking west down Pine Street
It was at this parade that Roy Allen first served his root beer. The stand is in the upper right of the image. {This picture is on display at the Lodi A&W}
Photographed By Unknown
4. Roy Allen - The "A" in A&W
In 1919 Roy Allen mixed up his first batch of root beer, based upon a recipe he had bought from a pharmacist in Arizona. With the success of his first outlet, he opened a second one, in Sacramento, which was soon followed by others. In 1922 he took on a partner, Frank Wright (the "W"), and named their product A&W Root Beer. Allen bought out his partner two years later, but kept the name of the product the same. Allen retired and sold the company in 1950. {This picture is on display inside the Lodi A&W}
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 2, 2011
5. Vintage A&W Root Beer advertising sign
{Sign on display in the Lodi A&W}
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 2, 2011
6. Vintage A&W Orange Drink advertising sign
{Sign on display in the Lodi A&W}
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 2, 2011
7. The First A&W Root Beer Stand Location - 13 West Pine Street in Lodi
The marker is visible here, mounted on the sidewalk, about an arm's length to the right of the fire hydrant.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 3,530 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on April 7, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 6, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
