Lost San Diego – Dr Pepper and Hires Root Beer Bottling Co.
Despite the movement towards new, shinier things especially technology — have I mentioned how much I adore my iPad? — I still have an affinity for the old (vintage ads, old typography and pre-depression architecture). When I recently saw this building sign near Kettner and West A Street in downtown San Diego, I had to photograph it in case another building pops up in front of it, hiding it for another 50 years or so. Or even worse, being demolished forever in place of something newer. This sign especially resonates with me because it’s my drink of choice as a carbonated beverage after tasting it’s delicious cherry-vanilla undertones. The sign shows a clock with the hands pointing to 10, 2 and 4 o’clock — supposedly the times to drink it to keep you “regular,” according to popular legend.
My favorite photo is the old bottling company building with the newer, shiny Pacific Western Bank building in the back. A mash up of both old and new.
Darlene
Our Man Horn
Dr. Pepper is also my choice for carbonated beverages. Love the photos – it’s cool to see little gems like this around town.
Thanks Mary. I hope this building sticks around for a while!
Wow! I love, love, love that building and those signs. I am a fan of both Dr. Pepper AND Root Beer, so yum! I’m surprised I didn’t see this when we did our impromtu tour of San Diego when leaving the Monday after Comic-Con. Okay, okay, we got lost and couldn’t find the freeway and might just have driven by this.
Have you tried Hires root beer, Jodi? I’m thinking that it’s time for me to give it a try. I’m an A&W fan all the way.
hi darlene – great photo! i love the mix of old and new!
Thanks CanineCologne! Who knew that San Diego still had some gems still around?
I love the way you see things! I noticed that building on our way to Yourgland and thought about taking a picture but I had to tinkle too bad to stop! So, it’s like you got into my brain and made a wish come true! OMG! This is just like that movie with that guy from Gilbert Grape and that girl with the big forehead and the fussy attitude!
Also, I was doing a little Dr. Pepper research recently and read that the 10,2,4 thing came from the factory workers, those were the times they went on break, and of course, drank some Dr. Pepper! This could totally be urban legend though!
Glad you saw it too, Erin. Totally like Inception. Did I just steal your memories??
OMG! Where’s my totem, where’s my totem, where’s my totem? *plastic recorder that only blows one note* Phew. That was close.
Great photo! My dad used to love Dr. Pepper. I remember playing pepper poker. You’d collect the tabs on the can (remember the removable ones?) where they had a card number on it and if you collected enough it’d make a hand you’d win something but I forgot what. We got a couple full houses and a straight so I guess we drank quite a lot of it!
I remember those tabs but I think growing up we drank mostly Coke out of those glass bottles. I’m sure those tabs are collectors items today.
It’s sad that this structure was covered up and just recently discovered. New isn’t always better.
I totally agree Julie. I hope that some city planner sees the value in this building.