My boys and I were walking around downtown Waco again, when one of them suggested walking over to the Dr. Pepper Museum, and actually buying tickets. We went downtown trying to find a bookstore, which we did. But the bookstore was heavy on the estrogen, so it didn’t take long for us to realize we were not going to find anything of interest.

After that failed attempt at something to do, I couldn’t say “no” to the museum.

This was Andy’s second trip. I also brought him to the museum when he was 8, back in 2012. After going through it then, he complained, “everything was about Dr. Pepper.” Or something like that. He enjoyed a great deal more this go around.

My favorite part of the museum was the video area where they were playing all the different commercials for their ad campaigns over the years. To this I say, “wouldn’t you like to be a Pepper too!” If this tune is now stuck in your head, you’ve just dated yourself. 🙂

Apparently, you could buy larger bottles in the early days.

The bottle-capping machine.

Joey, with the bottle-capping machine.

Our first attempt at standing over the well. In the early part of the 20th Century, a lot of the business downtown had their own wells. This was an important part of the development of the company, but they soon outgrew the well’s capacity. So, in the interest of not letting it go to waste, they dumped broken bottles in the well, and eventually covered it up.

When it was later discovered, they emptied it out of the broken glass, and put this thick piece of plexiglass over it, so we could walk on it.

We finally summoned the courage.

All photos are copyright © Timothy J. Hammons, 2023.