Dr Pepper, an iconic and uniquely flavored soda, has a rich history shrouded in a bit of mystery. While the exact date of its creation might not be pinpointed to a single day, the story of its beginnings is a fascinating journey into the late 19th century and a Waco, Texas, drugstore.
The story starts with Wade Morrison, the owner of a drugstore, and a young pharmacist named Charles Alderton. Alderton, working at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store, was the inventive mind behind the beverage. He experimented with different fruit flavorings at the soda fountain, aiming to create a drink that was uniquely appealing. To gauge its initial reception, Alderton first offered his new concoction to Morrison. Morrison, liking the taste, became the first official taste tester. After repeated sampling and positive feedback from both Morrison and then fountain customers, Alderton’s creation started to gain popularity. Patrons at Morrison’s soda fountain began requesting “Waco,” signaling the drink’s growing local fame.
Interestingly, while Alderton concocted the drink, the name “Dr Pepper” is credited to Morrison. However, the true origin of the name remains somewhat elusive. Over time, numerous stories have emerged attempting to explain how the soda got its distinctive moniker, and the precise reason behind the name “Dr Pepper” continues to be a topic of local lore and historical speculation. (The period in “Dr. Pepper” was dropped later, in the 1950s).
As Dr Pepper’s popularity surged beyond Morrison’s drugstore, other soda fountain operators in Waco sought to serve it. The demand quickly outgrew Alderton and Morrison’s capacity to produce the syrup at the drugstore fountain. This burgeoning demand caught the attention of Robert S. Lazenby, a beverage chemist. Lazenby, impressed by the drink’s potential, saw an opportunity for wider distribution. Alderton, primarily focused on his pharmacy career, wasn’t interested in pursuing the beverage business himself. He suggested that Morrison and Lazenby take the reins and develop it further.
Recognizing the significant growth and potential of Dr Pepper, Morrison and Lazenby joined forces. In 1891, they officially established the Artesian Mfg. & Bottling Company, the precursor to what would become the Dr Pepper Company. Later, in 1923, Lazenby and his son-in-law, J.B. O’Hara, moved the company’s operations from Waco to Dallas, marking a new chapter in the soda’s expanding journey. So, while the exact “when” remains tied to Alderton’s experiments and initial offering at Morrison’s drugstore, the year 1885 is widely recognized as the birth year of Dr Pepper, rooted in Waco, Texas.
