10-2-4 Club History
Since 1983 Waco, Texas and the historic Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company Building has been the gathering spot for the Dr Pepper 10-2-4 Collectors’ Club annual convention. Dr Pepper Museum staff have been involved with the Club and the convention since the Museum was established in 1989.
In 2023 Club members voted to turn over management of the Club membership program and annual convention to the Dr Pepper Museum with a goal of future growth by reaching new and established Dr Pepper and soft drink memorabilia fans. With over 220,000 paid visitors to the Museum in 2023, getting the word out about the Club is easy! Museum staff are honored to carry on this tradition and work alongside Club members to pass on the love of Dr Pepper and collecting!
Scroll down for a Brief History of the 10-2-4 Collectors’ Club by Club Historian, Karen Krueger!
Join the Club!
A Brief History of The 10-2-4 Dr Pepper Collectors’ Club
by Club Historian Karen Krueger
The collecting and selling of Dr Pepper memorabilia has been going on for a long time. In the early 1980s enthusiastic collectors met at various shows such as the Wimberly, TX Trade Days and Canton, TX First Mondays. It was at the Antique Bottles and Insulator Show in Austin, TX that Bill Agee insisted that a group get together and form a Dr Pepper Collectors’ club. Dr Pepper Museum co-founder, Wilton Lanning, offered to host the first meeting.
On Sept. 3, 1983, thirteen collectors met at the Waco DP Bottling Plant, which is now the Dr Pepper Museum. They were: Bill and Pat Agee (Hearne, TX), John Cerniak (Dallas, TX), Wilton and Lee Lanning (Waco, TX), Jerry and Audrae Mathis (Salina, KS), Charles Olson (Waco, TX), Boise and Sue Sterling (Dallas, TX), Bob Thiele (Pawhuska, OK), Charlie and Irene Wright (Austin, TX). They met for several hours discussing and planning the formation of the Club. On Sunday, Sept. 4, the group, with flashlights in hand, went into the old three story bottling plant. Irene was horrified to see old DP signs used as shelving!
In 1984, the group expanded with the addition of Kim Kokles and Charles Brizius. They led several more organizational meetings to develop officer responsibilities, a membership application, a newsletter, and advertising.
Finally, on Feb. 16, 1985 plans were finalized for the Charter Meeting. It was held on March 23, 1985 at the Dr Pepper Corporate Headquarters, 5523 East Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX. There were 27 Charter Members in attendance. Dr Pepper Company employees, Vol Martin and Boise Sterling, gave a lively special presentation. Following that, Harry Ellis, Dr Pepper Company employee for 54 years and author of The King of Beverages, gave a tour of the plant. Everyone was delighted to see the Old Corner Drug Store back bar and Dr Pepper memorabilia display in the lobby.
At the conclusion of the meeting, everyone was encouraged to spread the word that collecting Dr Pepper is “Good for Life.” Since then, the Club has had an annual convention. Some highlights of the conventions are: Seminars, where we learn about a variety of DP collectables; Show and Tell, where members show off their unique DP items; Meals, where we socialize; Auction, where we have lively bidding; Vendor Market, where members sell their collectables.
Having the convention held at the Dr Pepper Museum makes it especially fun and meaningful. Besides acquiring wonderful Dr Pepper and soda memorabilia, we have acquired a special group of friends. Please join us!
