If you ever find yourself traveling through Hillsboro, Ohio keep your eyes peeled for this great advertising piece.

Vernor’s was created by a Detroit pharmacist in 1866, making it one of the country’s oldest soft drinks. Inventor James Vernor sold his drink exclusively at his soda fountain for a few years before he began selling it to other soda fountains. He even required them to install special equipment to serve it correctly.

Notice the apostrophe in the photo above. That apostrophe was dropped sometime in the 1950s to become just Vernors.

James Vernor’s son became President in 1896 but the elder Vernor remained involved in the company. The family joked that he retired just hours before his death in 1927.

The company was family owned until 1966 and has changed hands a couple of times over the decades.

I try not to drink a lot of sugary or carbonated beverages but it is a refreshing treat. It really is deliciously different!