UNIQUELY TEXAS

One in an occasional travel series highlighting the state’s special places

Drink in Dublin’s history -- along with an old-fashioned Dr PepperQU

A statue of Dublin Dr Pepper's longtime plant manager, Bill Kloster, offering a soft drink to a little girl stands outside the entrance of the world's longest operating Dr Pepper plant. Photos by Kathryn Jones

By Crystal Gibson, Texan News Service

If you’re looking for a relaxing day trip or peaceful weekend getaway, the town of Dublin exudes small-town charm. With museums and quaint downtown shops within walking distance, you can put on your comfortable shoes and leisurely stroll through history.

To get a taste for Dublin’s uniquely Texas flavor, the obvious place to start is the Dublin Dr Pepper Bottling Co. downtown. Opened in 1891, six years after the soft drink was invented in Waco, it’s the world’s oldest operating Dr Pepper plant. About 50,000 to 70,000 people visit the site each year.

Guided tours of the Dublin Dr Pepper museum run every 45 minutes, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Cost is $2.50 per adult, $2 for children 6 to 12 years old. The tour lasts about 30 minutes and delves into the rich history of Dr Pepper. The bottling line usually operates on Wednesday only.

Do you know how many girls have danced and smiled as Pretty Peggy Pepper, the goodwill ambassador chosen annually to represent Dublin Dr Pepper? You will when the tour is over. You even get to drink Dublin Dr Pepper made with the original formula that used Imperial brand pure cane sugar rather than syrup. It’s also packaged the old-fashioned way – in a glass bottle.

“People love Dr Pepper history, especially Dublin Dr Pepper history,” said Karen Wright, author of The Road to Dr Pepper, Texas. “The visitors of the museum are always hungry for more at the end of the tour.”

Not to mention thirsty. Next to the Dr Pepper plant is Old Doc’s Soda Shop. Set up like the soda fountains of the doo-wop days, Old Doc’s serves fresh shakes, malts and Dr Pepper.

Don’t miss the Dr Pepper cake; it’s a chocoholic’s delight. And if it’s cold outside, try a cup of hot Dr Pepper. Garnished with a slice of lemon and priced at 80 cents, it’s an inexpensive way to warm up. Old Doc’s employees also swear it soothes throats.

The Dr Pepper gift shop stocks merchandise such as T-shirts and shot glasses, as well as some unusual items. Inside a glass case, you’ll find antique and special event Dr Pepper bottles, model airplanes and motorcycles fashioned out of Dr Pepper cans and glass bottle hummingbird feeders.

Old Doc’s Soda Shop is located at 105 E. Elm St., call (888) 398-1024 or visit www.dublindrpepper.com.

Museum-hopping

A short walk away, the Dublin Historical Museum, located at 116 W. Blackjack St., tells the story of Dublin’s history through artifacts and memorabilia. Founded in 1854, Dublin’s name was first spelled Doublin. Some say the town’s name comes from the warning cry of “double in” during Indian raids. Others say it refers to early settlers’ double-log cabins. Some believe the town was named for Dublin, Ireland.

Each museum section represents a facet of early Dublin life. The military section houses memories from Dubliners who served in every war since the 1850s. Take a peek into the rich rodeo history of Dublin and see golf clubs used by golf legend Ben Hogan, who was born in Dublin. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.; call (254) 445-4550.

Next door to the historical museum, the Dublin Rodeo Museum houses photographs and memorabilia from the World Championship Rodeo once based there. During the 1940s and 1950s Dublin hosted a rodeo bowl and was the home of the Lightning C Ranch, operated by Everett Colburn. It was the world’s largest ranch devoted to rodeo livestock. Singing cowboy Gene Autry later joined Colburn and the two staged a rodeo each year in New York’s Madison Square Garden. Many cowboys and cowgirls who played a significant role in rodeo – including Harry Tompkins, a six-time world champion cowboy -- live in the Dublin area.

The museum keeps limited hours; call (254) 445-0200 before you visit to make sure the museum is open.

One-of-a-kind shopping

If you’ve always wanted to learn to scrapbook or make your own jewelry, step into Deep in the Art, located at 110 S. Patrick St. It offers classes in jewelry, scrap booking and mosaics and sells creative gifts such as dominoes turned into artsy pendants. The studio is open from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. For a full list of classes, visit www.deepintheart.com.

Just across Patrick Street are three unique shops rolled into one: Spice Up Your Kitchen, The Green Pickle and Iron Star.

Spice Up Your Kitchen offers dish sets and kitchen accessories in a variety of shapes, styles, and prices. At The Green Pickle, inquire about the Christmas legend of the green pickle and purchase your own green pickle ornament. The shop also sells candles and home décor items.

Iron Star is chock-full of wrought iron, barbed wire and Western home décor accessories, including metal lampshades, barnwood picture frames and handcrafted furniture.

Collectors and antique lovers shouldn’t miss LJJ Antiques-Collectibles on East Elm St. The main room is dedicated to jewelry and housewares. Browse the shelves of old jelly jars and beer bottles or admire vintage broaches, rings, and earrings. Then take a walk down the hall to find rooms brimming with Christmas items, hats, old school books and colorful dishes. LJJ Antiques-Collectibles is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

For more information, call the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, (254) 445-3422.

The Texan News Service is a project of the journalism program at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Contact us at texannews@tarleton.edu.