Built On Decades Of Tradition
Dublin Bottling Works’ story began in 1891, rooted in the innovative spirit of Waco, Texas.
Wade Morrison, the owner of Old Corner Drug Store, alongside pharmacist Charles Alderton, created a unique soda flavor that would become Dr Pepper. The drink quickly gained popularity, leading Morrison and Robert Lazenby to establish the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company in 1891.
Texas businessman Sam Houston Prim, recognized the drink’s potential and founded Dublin Bottling Works to bottle Dr Pepper. This marked the beginning of Dublin Bottling Works’ legacy in crafting sodas made with pure cane sugar as well as the first bottling plant in Texas!
Dublin Dr Pepper gained national exposure at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, solidifying its status as a beloved soda. Despite no longer producing Dr Pepper, Dublin Bottling Works maintains its commitment to quality and friendly service, honoring the legacy of W.P. Kloster, who embodied the brand’s values.
At Mr. Prim’s death the plant was left to his only child, Grace Elizabeth Prim Lyon. As a woman, she was expected to sell the company; female business owners were few and far in between in 1946. Grace ran the company with an iron fist and successfully owned and managed Dublin Bottling Works until her passing in 1991. Grace ran the plant during a very important time of our history. In 1975, many soda industries switched their sweetener from sugar to corn syrup because of the high prices of sugar. Grace along with her general manager Bill Kloster made the decision to stay with sugar even though it made the cost higher. They believed if they were loyal to the product that our customers would in return be loyal to us. Obviously it was a wise decision because our choice of sweeteners is one of the things that have made us so special. Grace ran the plant until she passed away on the morning of our 100th anniversary. Having no children, she left the plant to her general manager and longest working employee Bill Kloster.
Bill Kloster’s Way
William “Bill” P. Kloster started working at the plant in 1932 at the age of 14. He worked his way up from bottle washer to owner of the plant. The only time Bill ever left the plant was for 22-months while he served his time in Germany with a tank destroyer unit. This picture is of him sharing a Dublin soda (that Grace had sent) with a Russian solider. As the owner, Bill continued to emphasize those same values he had learned as a young man. He held on to the original drink formula, the antiquated bottling equipment, and a massive assortment of Dr Pepper collectibles, which became his passion. Through the years, he used those elements to develop a successful enterprise and a popular tourist attraction. And most important, he built a fiercely loyal following around the world. The media were drawn to him like bees to honey and dubbed him “Mr. Dr Pepper.”
Bill Kloster was a man of conviction. The tiny, independent Dublin Bottling Works still produces pure cane sugar sodas just like the company’s founders did more than 120 years ago. Bill wasn’t afraid of bucking marketing trends because he believed in the unique quality of his product.