| Copyright 2007-2010 - All Rights Reserved Kids' World News Contact Webmaster at debi@kidsworldnews.net |
| History Is Cool To Learn! Every Month We'll Learn About Someone Or Something That Made A Difference! |
| This Page Is Proudly Sponsored By: |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
Vernor’s Ginger Ale - have you ever tasted it? Did you know
that it was invented in Detroit, Michigan in 1886? It is also
shares the title with Hire’s Root Beer as being the oldest
American surviving soft drink!
The Ginger Ale legend is a great one featuring a Detroit
pharmacist named James Vernor. Vernor was born in
Albany, New York. His parents moved to Detroit, Michigan
during his youth. In 1858, James starting working at Higby
and Sterns’ Drug Store as an errand boy. He quickly worked
his way to Junior Clerk. He eventually helped to pass the
state’s first pharmacy law and would sit on the State Board of
Pharmacy for eight years.
Ginger Ale - golden in color, was being imported from Ireland
and was becoming a very popular drink in the United States.
At the age of 19, Vernor began to experiment with his own
ginger ale recipe. He had to put his plans on hold as he
enlisted as a hospital steward in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry.
Before he left for the war, he stored his experimental ginger
ale extract (the syrup base of 19 ingredients including ginger,
vanilla and other natural flavorings) into an old oak cask.
When he was discharged on July 1, 1865, James returned
home and opened a drug store of his own at 235 Woodward.
He also opened that old oak cask. To his surprise, the four
years of aging blended a select group of secret ingredients to
perfection. He called it “deliciously different.”
that it was invented in Detroit, Michigan in 1886? It is also
shares the title with Hire’s Root Beer as being the oldest
American surviving soft drink!
The Ginger Ale legend is a great one featuring a Detroit
pharmacist named James Vernor. Vernor was born in
Albany, New York. His parents moved to Detroit, Michigan
during his youth. In 1858, James starting working at Higby
and Sterns’ Drug Store as an errand boy. He quickly worked
his way to Junior Clerk. He eventually helped to pass the
state’s first pharmacy law and would sit on the State Board of
Pharmacy for eight years.
Ginger Ale - golden in color, was being imported from Ireland
and was becoming a very popular drink in the United States.
At the age of 19, Vernor began to experiment with his own
ginger ale recipe. He had to put his plans on hold as he
enlisted as a hospital steward in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry.
Before he left for the war, he stored his experimental ginger
ale extract (the syrup base of 19 ingredients including ginger,
vanilla and other natural flavorings) into an old oak cask.
When he was discharged on July 1, 1865, James returned
home and opened a drug store of his own at 235 Woodward.
He also opened that old oak cask. To his surprise, the four
years of aging blended a select group of secret ingredients to
perfection. He called it “deliciously different.”
| Vernor's Ginger Ale Was Invented In Detroit, Michigan! |
| To Find Out More About This Sponsor - Click On Their Name! |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
Mr. Vernor would sell his ginger ale to his own drug stores soda
fountain patrons for the next thirty years. However, Vernor’s
Ginger Ale was not an overnight success. In fact, it would not be
until 1896 that enough business was being generated from the
sale of ginger ale that Vernor was able to close his drug store.
Mr. Vernor opened a small plant at the foot of Woodward Avenue
just a few doors down from his old drug store. It was here that Mr.
Vernor, along with his nineteen-year-old son, James Vernor II,
(the companies only employee) blended, aged, bottled, and
distributed Vernor’s Ginger Ale. Vernor’s Ginger Ale extract was
still aged in an oak cask for four years before it was ever used to
produce the soft drink. Over the next few decades, Vernor’s
Ginger Ale business would grow.
Vernor’s was one of the few golden ginger ales to survive
prohibition. Vernors started selling their extract to other bottlers.
On October 29, 1929 the eldest Vernor would pass away at the
age of 84. His son would then run the company until 1952 when
he retired, at which point Mr. Vernor’s nephew, J. Vernor Davis,
was appointed president.
In 1966, a group of investors purchased Vernors. In 1987, it was
again sold to A & W, who was bought by Dr. Pepper/Cadbury in
1993. Dr. Pepper merged with 7-Up in 1996.
fountain patrons for the next thirty years. However, Vernor’s
Ginger Ale was not an overnight success. In fact, it would not be
until 1896 that enough business was being generated from the
sale of ginger ale that Vernor was able to close his drug store.
Mr. Vernor opened a small plant at the foot of Woodward Avenue
just a few doors down from his old drug store. It was here that Mr.
Vernor, along with his nineteen-year-old son, James Vernor II,
(the companies only employee) blended, aged, bottled, and
distributed Vernor’s Ginger Ale. Vernor’s Ginger Ale extract was
still aged in an oak cask for four years before it was ever used to
produce the soft drink. Over the next few decades, Vernor’s
Ginger Ale business would grow.
Vernor’s was one of the few golden ginger ales to survive
prohibition. Vernors started selling their extract to other bottlers.
On October 29, 1929 the eldest Vernor would pass away at the
age of 84. His son would then run the company until 1952 when
he retired, at which point Mr. Vernor’s nephew, J. Vernor Davis,
was appointed president.
In 1966, a group of investors purchased Vernors. In 1987, it was
again sold to A & W, who was bought by Dr. Pepper/Cadbury in
1993. Dr. Pepper merged with 7-Up in 1996.