First Pepsi Cola - New Bern, NC
Posted by: 
GA Cacher
N 35° 06.404 W 077° 02.391
18S E 314088 N 3886783
The Birthplace of Pepsi is located in historic New Bern, North Carolina. Pepsi-Cola was first invented by Caleb Bradham in his pharmacy in 1898. The store is located in the original location where Bradham first invented Pepsi-Cola. The Birthplace of Pepsi is owned and operated by Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of New Bern, Inc. and first opened its doors on the 100th Anniversary of Pepsi-Cola.
Waymark Code: WM48W0
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 07/22/2008
Views: 119
This drug store, located on the corner of Middle Street and Pollock Street in downtown New Bern, is where Bradham in 1898 invented the recipe -- a blend of kola nut extract, vanilla, and "rare oils" -- for what was initially known as "Brad's Drink," but that soon was renamed Pepsi-Cola. Bradham named his drink after a combination of the terms “pepsin” and “cola,” as he believed that his drink aided digestion much like the pepsin enzyme does, even though it was not used as an ingredient.
On December 24, 1902, the Pepsi-Cola Company was incorporated in North Carolina, with Bradham as the president, and on June 16, 1903 the first Pepsi-Cola trademark was registered. Also in 1903, he moved his Pepsi-Cola production out of his drug store and into a rented building nearby. In 1905, Bradham began selling Pepsi-Cola in six-ounce bottles (up until this time he sold Pepsi-Cola as a syrup only), and awarded two franchises to North Carolina bottlers.
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.