Cigar City Magazine
  • HOME
  • STORIES
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • Tampa Mafia
  • Tampa Mafia Tours

history of  TAMPA

REDISCOVER. REMEMBER. RELIVE.

The Soda Fountain

1/1/2005

0 Comments

 
Picture
If you are old enough to remember “soda fountains”, consider yourself lucky.  The great age of soda fountains is long gone, but what a fun time it was for those of us that had the opportunity to experience this slice of Americana.
Three of Tampa’s popular soda fountains located downtown were Kress, J. J. Newberry and Woolworth’s. The three stores were all next to one another on Franklin Street. For 5 or 10 cents you could have a milk shake or malt with at least three scoops of ice cream. You could also ask the soda jerk to mix you a cherry or vanilla coke.

It was always fascinating to watch the soda jerk work. Everything was made with the utmost care and expertise. It was a challenge to concoct a delicious work of art complete with whipped cream and a cherry on top!
​
Samuel Fahnestock was the father of the soda fountain. He was awarded a patent for his invention in 1819, but the soda fountain increased in popularity during the drug revolution of the 1850s. During this time, pharmacists operated their own drugstores and soda fountains. People would head to the local drugstore and purchase a fountain drink that was used to cure some physical ailment.

The druggist sold fountain drinks that were made of extracts of various drugs that were flavored and effervesced to make them palatable. At times, drugs like cocaine and caffeine were used. The combination of the two was used effectively to cure headaches. However, rebound headaches were common so usually the sufferer would head back for another shot of the mixture.
Picture
J. J. Newberry, 1941.
Picture
Woolworths Snack Bar, 1950.
Picture
Madison Snack Bar, 1952.
Doctors and druggists believed that stimulants were good for you because people needed that extra “pep”. They believed these drugs were completely safe and effective. Many druggists even made and marketed their own secret formulations. Once the evils of these drugs were investigated, laws were enacted prohibiting the use of cocaine and caffeine.

By the early 1920’s, just about every drugstore had a soda fountain. It is felt the reason for the explosion of soda fountains during this time was mostly due to prohibition that began in 1919. The soda fountain filled the social void caused by the closing of bars.

However, the popularity of soda fountains declined with the introduction of fast foods, commercial ice cream, bottled soft drinks and restaurants by the 1950s.


​CIGAR CITY MAGAZINE- WINTER 2013
Art & Photography Contributors: Hillsborough County Public Library, Tampa Bay History Center, The Florida State Archives, The Tampa Tribune/Tampa Bay Times, University of South Florida Department of Special Collections, Ybor City Museum Society, private collections and/or writer.

LISA M. FIGUEREDO

Lisa M. Figueredo
Cigar City Magazine is the vision of Lisa M. Figueredo, who feels passionately about her blended culture, history, and family. For more information read HERE

FOLLOW CIGAR CITY MAGAZINE
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2011
    September 2009
    July 2009
    March 2009
    January 2009
    November 2008
    July 2008
    March 2008
    January 2008
    November 2007
    September 2007
    July 2007
    May 2007
    March 2007
    January 2007
    November 2006
    September 2006
    July 2006
    May 2006
    March 2006
    January 2006
    November 2005
    January 2005
    January 2004

    Categories

    All
    Andy Huse
    Celebrities
    Cesar Brioso
    Cigar Industry
    Downtown Tampa
    El Lector
    Food
    Gail Ellis
    Historical Events
    Jack Fernandez
    Lisa Figueredo
    Manny Leto
    Marilyn Figueredo
    Maureen J. Patrick
    Megan Voeller
    Paul Guzzo
    Tampa Baseball
    Tampa Mafia
    Tampa Neighborhoods
    Tampa People
    Tampa Sports
    Tampa's Social Clubs
    Tampa Theatre
    Wes Singletary
    West Tampa
    Ybor City

    RSS Feed

 © 2021 Cigar City Magazine. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • HOME
  • STORIES
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • Tampa Mafia
  • Tampa Mafia Tours