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Dr. Wells Soda

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Dr. Wells Soda Bottle Cap

Dr. Wells – a pepper-style soda – was introduced in 1935 to compete against Dr. Pepper and its many imitators.

Developed by Ludford Fruit Products of Los Angeles, California, which was also the national headquarters for Alka-Time and Hollywood Beverages.

Early slogans included:

“Always Drink Dr. Wells”

“It Picks You Up”

“The Cooler Doctor”

Dr. Wells was acquired by the Monarch Beverage Company of Atlanta in 1987, then changed hands again in 2007, when it was sold to Hedinger Brands (Jasper, IN) and licensed to The Dad’s Root Beer Company.

Dr. Wells is still produced and is available in 12oz cans, 20oz plastic bottles and 1-liter plastic bottles. It is available on fountains in “select” markets in the US.

The Dad’s Root Beer Company, LLC
PO Box 790
Jasper, Indiana

Do you have a Dr. Wells story to share? Know of a local place you can get some? Please share…

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Last updated: October 22, 2012
About Ann

Ann is a web assistant and project manager with Retro Planet. After prior stints in the advertising and publishing worlds, she has found her place with the company. She is a serious anglophile and history buff, with a passion for anything from the past, especially retro inspired decor.

  • Dr. Joseph Wells MD

    About 20 years ago,5 years after I graduated med school,a cousin showed me an ad for Dr. Wells soda. I contacted the Monarch Co. That had been distributing the product and bought shirts,hats,jackets,pens,watches.clocks,bottle openers all with the logo whose name I shared. I also found it in stores here in AZ. I thought it was a little better than Dr. Pepper,tho I may be biased. Dr. Joe Wells

  • Mary Montag

    I have a 7 ft x 2.5 ft (approx.) tin Dr. Wells sign in a wooden frame – any idea what it might be worth?

  • Kathy Rawson

    My family and I were in a restaurant that was in a cave in Richland, MO. They had Dr. Wells on the menu and my daughter and son ordered it. We all tried it and really liked it. We like it better than Dr. Pepper, it also has a cream soda taste. We liked it so much we looked for it in grocery stores in Missouri and couldn’t find it. We wanted to bring some home. We live in Maryland. Does anyone know how to get it or what stores sell it? Thanks alot. Kathy Rawson

  • Donald Cline

    I was in a student at Needville Jr School in Needville Texas. In 1974 we had five soda machines outside our gym. Only one machine had Dr Wells soda. Every morning Dr Wells was my eye opener. After every sports practice or game I would shower and head outside to get my 2 Dr. Wells sodas.The first I would chug the second would be for the ride home. Then our gym burned to the ground. The machines were not replace with our new gym. I have been without my Dr. Wells soda ever since. This morning after 35 years I awoke from a dream about trying find my Dr Wells soda. ” Please help me find my Dr wells”. Nothing else even comes close. The Don

  • http://www.retroplanet.com admin

    Hi Don,
    Thank you for your recent post to our blog.
    Here is some info that may help you with your quest for Dr. Well’s Soda.
    It is still being produced but must be limited to were it is distributed.

    http://www.dansodaman.com/3/events.htm

    http://www.dadsrootbeer.com/drwells.php

    Maria

  • Shanghai Johnny

    I remember Dr Wells myself.
    For the mst part,Dr Wells was sold
    in businesses that catered to mainly
    the African-American Community.

  • djs

    Donald, your story sounds like mine. When I was attending Lufkin High School from 1972-1975, I had Dr. Wells in the cafeteria for lunch every day. It was one of the things I looked forward to the most about lunch! Haven’t had one since high school. WIsh I could find some now.

  • mae grigsby

    i have a dr wells soda bottle

  • debbie

    would you be interested in selling your dr wells soda bottle? if so, how much

  • Swells2

    If you still have this sign please please contact me. swells2@charter.net

  • Mistaken4akid

    I sure would like to purchase some Dr. wells uncrimped bottle caps. If there is any one who has a case laying around

  • Tinaprocat

    I have a very old bottle of dr.wells the lid is still on it . It is full.
    Does anyone know the value?

  • Cpslotp

    I have a Dr. Wells ski tin about 12″x30″ that saids,  ”The Cooler Doctor” and has a girl racing downhill on her skies.    Whats it worth ?