The Conner family has continued a time honored tradition that dates back to the Civil War. From the landmark Conner Bottling Works, in Newfields, New Hampshire, the Conner Family has for the past five generations been producing and bottling "Squamscot Old Fashioned Beverages". Known more commonly today as a tonic or soda, the many flavors of Squamscot Beverages has been quenching the thirst of New Englander's for more than one hundred and forty one years.

Established in 1863 by the late William H. Conner, the bottling works started producing tonic that was simply called "Connermade". This tonic, which was really a "pop" beer or more commonly known as a spruce beer at the time, was packaged in returnable glass bottles with porcelain and wire stoppers. William Conner grew the business until his death in 1911. Only to be succeded by his son Alfred Conner Sr., who ran the business from 1911-1948, followed by Alfred Conner Jr. who was raised around the bottling plant, which is located on the family farm. A two-story, gray and white building constructed in the 1800's that was once a barn and is located directly behind the family home.

In 1911 the business was producing just 4,115 cases of tonic a year. While small profits were made from 1912 to 1916 the business has enjoyed an unbroken time of prosperity since 1917. Especially during the years of National Prohibition that created a great boost in the tonic business and made Squamscot Gingerale the outstanding drink in New England. Growing the bottling works to nearly 26,000 cases and 14 flavors in 1930, when the label was finally changed to "Squamscot Beverages". In 1938, Alfred Conner Sr. purchased their first modern bottling machine. Better known today as, "Dixie". This bottling machine remains in the exact spot from when it was delivered to the plant and is still in use today.

As Word War II started Alfred Conner Jr. left the homestead and served for four years in the Navy, only to return and run the business from 1948 to 1979, and can still be seen strolling around the plant even today. The operation is now run by Alfred's son Tom, and his son Dan Conner. Trying to keep with tradition, and personally delivering their Squamscot Beverages to customers around the Seacoast. They use a couple of distributors for other parts of New Hampshire.

A unique feature and one that few bottling companies have in this country is the presence of an artesian well within the plant. Many years ago Alfred Sr. conceived the idea of having the well within the plant, even though there was a satisfactory supply piped in from the outside. So he drilled for the well and eventually sank one at 123 feet. The water flow into the well is twenty gallons per minute and the water is reputed to be of super quality. One reason Alfred Sr. attributed the great success of his tonics, is due to this splendid water supply.

While on the second floor a smell reminiscent of melting popsicles greets visitors in the rustic but impeccably clean and ordered syrup room, where the main laboratory for manufacturing and mixing of the syrup recipes are generated and have been passed down for generations. From the 20 plus vibrant colored flavors developed by the Conner's over the years, only the best products, like Jamaican ginger for the Gingerale, are used to help ensure their distinct taste.

Within the syrup room a 60-gallon glass lined steel tank is used as a pasteurizer. Steam cooking sugar and water to a temperature of 180 degrees and allowed to remain for a certain length of time, before the correct amount of extract is added. This process assures an "even" quality of sweetness and does much to assure quality for the simple syrup.

When the syrup is ready, it is then piped downstairs, where the bottling or, "Dixie" comes to life. Synchronized with a conveyor of glass bottles, carbonated well water and syrup, a distinct rhythmic sound of clacks and clangs takes place to fill and crown each bottle. Bottling is usually done every afternoon and with the help of just one additional employee, over 60 cases an hour of any one flavor can be processed when business is brisk.

The last step is a homespun example of quality testing and control. The bottles are plucked from the collection table and tipped end over end to thoroughly mix the ingredients. Every once in while a bottles is opened and tasted to ensure the quality of the batch stays consistent. Each bottle is then hand placed in cases ready for shipping and distribution.

Getting ready to celebrate their 142nd year in business, and recognized as one of "New Hampshire's Own" the Conner family continues it's tradition of making Squamscot Old Fashioned Beverages as the last independent bottler in the state of New Hampshire. They hope you can "Experience the Past... One Sip at a Time"!

Built in 1906 by architect Milton Scott, the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company was the first building dedicated to the manufacturing of Dr Pepper. Creating a Dr Pepper Museum was the vision of a few devoted enthusiasts of both Dr Pepper and its history. The Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company became the Dr Pepper Museum in 1989, then the Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute in 1997. Today it is the Museum’s largest artifact and a tribute to the imagination and talent that fueled Dr Pepper’s success throughout the years.
The Museum and Free Enterprise Institute opened to the public in May of 1991 and has attracted over 2,000,000 visitors.

The Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute is dedicated to being the finest museum in the world devoted to telling the story of the soft drink industry and to using this industry as a practical model of the free enterprise system.
The Dr Pepper Museum includes the original 1906 bottling plant, a newly renovated courtyard and parking lot, and the historic Kellum-Rotan building. The Kellum-Rotan building was built in the 1880s, making it one of the oldest buildings remaining in downtown Waco. It is currently used to house the Museum’s collection and in the future will house the Museum’s administrative offices and additional exhibits. Both the Dr Pepper Museum and the Kellum-Rotan building are excellent examples of important American architecture and accurately preserved structures.
The Dr Pepper Museum holds one of the finest collections of soft drink memorabilia in the world. The items are not just Dr Pepper-related. All soft drink brands are welcome at the Dr Pepper Museum! From Pepsi-Cola to Kickapoo Joy Juice, the collections are a resource for information about the entire soft drink industry. The Dunagan Archives, soft drink related publications, audio-visual media, both the Dr Pepper Company and Dr Pepper Museum annals, and numerous original photographs are contained in the archival collections. The Dr Pepper Museum is frequently called upon to open the collections and archives to academic research, the motion picture and television industry, exhibition and graphic designers, and other museums making it a treasured public resource.
There are more than just exhibits to experience while you’re at the Museum. From live demonstrations and informative talks by our Interpretation staff to collectibles in the Gift Shop and handmade treats in the Soda Fountain, there is something more for everyone to experience. The Museum is located in the center of Downtown Waco, which is a bustling tourist destination. Be sure to take in the other must-see attractions within easy walking or driving distance.
Things To Do:
– Liquid Labs
– Gallery Talks
– Soda Fountain
– 10-2-4 Collectors Club
– Rent The Museum
– Pop-Up Saturday
– First Friday

In 1885 Waco, Texas was a wild frontier town, nicknamed ?six-shooter junction.? Wade Morrison?s Old Corner Drug Store was a prominent business and popular meeting place in downtown Waco. People came in for everything from flea powder to stationery, from cigars to fountain drinks.

One of Morrison?s employees, pharmacist Charles Alderton, noticed how customers loved the smell of the soda fountain with its many fruit, spice and berry aromas. He wanted to invent a drink that tasted the wonderful way the soda fountain smelled. After much experimentation he finally felt he had hit on ?something different.? Patrons at the drug store agreed.

Soon other soda fountains were buying the syrup from Morrison and serving it. People loved the new unnamed drink and would order it by simply calling out ?shoot me a Waco!? But Morrison named it Dr Pepper, after the father of a girl he had loved back in his home state of Virginia.

In 1891 Morrison and new partner Robert Lazenby organized the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company in order to bottle and sell Dr Pepper as well as other soft drinks. That same year, while visiting Waco, a Texas businessman by the name of Sam Houston Prim tasted the new fountain drink and knew he wanted to sell it in his bottling plant in Dublin, Texas, 80 miles to the west.

Under the direction of Mr. Lazenby Dr Pepper enjoyed steady growth in sales and began to spread in popularity across the country. But it wasn?t until 1904 that Dr Pepper gained real national exposure. Along with other soon to be favorites like ice cream cones and hamburgers, Dr Pepper was introduced to the rest of the U. S. and the entire world at the 1904 World?s Fair in St. Louis.

Since then Dr Pepper?s popularity has grown consistently over the years to become one of the top 3 soft drinks in the United States and the No. 1 non-cola. And over that time Dr Pepper Corporate Headquarters have remained here in Texas. That?s why Dr Pepper can truly claim the title of ?Texas Original.?

Come to Shawano, WI and visit Twig's Beverage! In 2015 they opened a glass bottled soft drink museum focused on Sun Drop and the history of Twig's Beverage. You will be able to watch live production, sample the sodas, watch multiple videos around the museum, experience vintage advertising, vending, and a mock up of an antique city street. On your way out you can stop in at the gift shop and pick up some cool Sun Drop merchandise!

For more than 120 years, we?ve been putting our secret formula into bottles. Now, we?ve put it all in one amazing place ? the World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place®..

A visit to this dynamic facility will be engaging, entertaining and fun for guests of all ages. From a thrilling multisensory 4-D theater to a marvelously restored 1880?s soda fountain, you?ll experience something new and inviting around every corner. Take home a special one-of-a-kind World of Coca-Cola glass bottle produced exclusively for our guests on our fully-functioning bottling line. Snap a photo with our 7-foot Coca-Cola Polar Bear. Take your taste buds on a tantalizing tour with over 60 different products to sample from around the world or create your own refreshing blend. Inside, you?ll find there?s a secret formula to everything we do.

The World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium anchor a 20-acre park that has become a premier destination for Atlanta residents and visitors alike. This site in known as Pemberton Place® in honor of John S. Pemberton, the pharmacist who invented the original Coca-Cola® formula in Atlanta in 1886.