WACO, TX- The Dr Pepper Museum is proud to announce that its historic Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company (AMBC) building has been one of 168 applications selected to receive a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark (RTHL) designation from the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Official Texas Historic Marker Program. The RTHL marker will commemorate the building’s significant contributions to Texas’ architectural history and its enduring role in the history of Dr Pepper.
“The AMBC is an artifact in its own right and its preservation allows us to interpret an important chapter of Waco, Texas, and American beverage history,” said Joy Summar-Smith, Deputy Director of the Dr Pepper Museum. “As museums, we have a responsibility to care for these places and ensure that the stories they hold continue to be accessible for future generations. It’s an incredible moment in Texas preservation history to have the AMBC being recognized.”
The Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company (AMBC) building has stood tall for over 120 years in 2026. In 1984, the Dr Pepper Museum’s historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Home of Dr Pepper, helping preserve this important piece of American history. Operating today as the Dr Pepper Museum’s main building, the building is the largest artifact in the Museum’s collection and stands as a legacy of a unique part of Waco’s architectural and industrial history.
The building first opened its doors in 1906 and housed bottling production, offices, and laboratories for the production of Dr Pepper and other soft drinks such as Circle “A” Ginger Ale. Designed by architect Milton Scott, the building is inspired by the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style, characterized by its distinctive brickwork and arched windows. At the height of its operations, the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company building was regarded as a notable architectural achievement in Waco and remains an enduring example of the city’s industrial and architectural history.
“The AMBC was at the center of many civic and business activities for years, and its history is an important part of Waco’s story,” said Summar-Smith. “Waco experienced a growth in population, changing from an agricultural economy to an industrial one. Dr Pepper was a part of that change and it was from Waco that Dr Pepper launched into a nationally recognized soft drink brand.”
Launched in 1962, the Texas Historical Commission’s Official Texas Historical Marker Program includes the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL), subject marker, and Historic Cemetery marker program. Historical markers can be found in all 254 Texas counties and tell significant and interesting stories of buildings, communities, cemeteries, individuals, events, and chapters of Texas history. The RTHL designation for the AMBC will join more than 3,800 RTHL markers across the state.
The Dr Pepper Museum is committed to preserving the AMBC building so that generations of guests can visit and learn about the history of Dr Pepper. Today, visitors to the Museum can discover evidence of the building’s past as a bottling plant through “Historian’s Corner” labels located throughout the building’s interior. Most recently, on the Mary Avenue-facing side of the Museum, the AMBC underwent preservation efforts to better serve today’s museum guests and their needs. The Dr Pepper Museum has completed several major restoration projects to preserve the AMBC building’s original features since opening in 1991. Mary Avenue Project was generously funded by sponsors, including the Cooper Foundation, Keurig Dr Pepper, City of Waco, City Center Waco, Texas Downtown Association’s Anice Read Fund, Summerlee Foundation, and the Texas Historical Foundation, along with Museum contributions and designated donor gifts.
As a nonprofit, the Dr Pepper Museum relies on community support to preserve the history of Dr Pepper and the soft drink industry, enhance the guest experience, and expand educational opportunities beyond our walls. Learn how your support helps us preserve history and make a lasting impact in our community.
About the Dr Pepper Museum
The Dr Pepper Museum educates, inspires, and entertains by sharing the stories of Dr Pepper and the soft drink industry. Located in the historic Artesian Manufacturing & Bottling Company and Kellum-Rotan Buildings, the Museum is the most visited cultural destination in Waco and the Original Home of the Dr Pepper Float. The Museum offers over 35,000 square feet of exhibits, popular experiences like Make-A-Soda and handmade fountain drinks. In 2025, the Museum welcomed over 265,000 visitors. As a proud independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, we are celebrating 35 years of public service in 2026. We are not owned or operated by Keurig Dr Pepper. (Please note, there is not a period after “Dr” in our name.) For more information, visit drpeppermuseum.com.
