Vernors Ginger Ale 150th B-Day

[SODAPOPBOB]

Speaking of Vernor's newspaper accounts, here's just one of hundreds ...

The Detroit Free Press ~ June 17, 1941



Key wording ...

1. 1866

2. Offered over his drug store counter, Vernor's Ginger Ale was received with immediate enthusiasm.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Not to mention numerous accounts like this ...

 

[iggyworf]

You may be right Bob about 1866. I have seen this a few times though 'Vernor's ginger ale first entered commerce in 1880, not 1866' Now what would the meaning of that be?

Could it be that he did not sell it anywhere but his drug store until 1880? That's what the 'commerce' might stand for. That's when he started selling outside his store maybe?

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

On second thought, maybe I will try and rewrite some of the Vernor's history. The reason I say this is because there also seems to be some confusion as to when James Vernon started his pharmacy at 235 Woodward Ave.

Notice in this article where it mentions ...

"the drug store of Messrs. Vernor & L'Hommedieu, 219 Woodward Ave"

From ...

The Detroit Free Press ~ August 3, 1867

View attachment 172697

Now notice in this next article where it indicates the company was "dissolved" and James Vernor bought out his partner Charles L'Hommedieu, and that the drug store was located at 219 Woodward Ave.

From ...

The Detroit Free Press ~ December 11, 1868

View attachment 172698


Question:

If James Vernor was located at 219 Woodward Ave. in 1867 and 1868, then how could he have started a drug store at 235 Woodward Ave. in 1866?

Note: There are zero newspaper articles about James Vernor having a drug store at 235 Woodward Ave. in 1866. The 1867 and 1868 articles above are the earliest mention I can find of him having any connection with any drug store in Detroit at that time.

All I can say is, I did an extensive search and the next date showing James Vernor having any connection with a business in Detroit that followed the 1867 and 1868 dates above is ...

The Detroit Free Press ~ May 22, 1869

Note: This doesn't necessarily date his ginger ale, but only his drug store. I still can't find an 1866 date!



(I'll be back)

 

[iggyworf]

Great work again Bob! Waiting to see what you can come up with.

 

[hemihampton]

Yes, Thanks for the info & research. LEON.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

This is likely the best I'm going to come up with as far as the addresses/locations are concerned. I'm still working on the ginger ale date(s) ...

1866-1867 Detroit Directory - Speed Scroll to Page 305 - pdf

http://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/detroit/1866 Detroit Directory.pdf

The bds stands for "Boarding House" and apparently is where James Vernor lived at the time. 80 Farrar Street is the address.

Notice the "Vernor & L'Hommedieu"



August 23, 1866 - New pharmaceutical members - Vernor and L'Hommedieu - No address



August 3, 1867 - Vernor & L'Hommedieu - 219 Woodward Avenue



1868 - 219 Woodward Ave



Everything prior to this next listing shows the 219 Woodward Avenue address - This is the earliest date I can find for the 235 Woodward Avenue address.



I'm also trying to figure out exactly who Charles L'Hommedieu was and why he is rarely if ever mentioned in the various Vernor's histories.

(To be continued)

 

[hemihampton]

There is is Vernors book out there, tells the History of Vernor's with lots of old Pics ect, ect. Produced 5-10 years ago I think. Lots of good info in It. LEON.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Leon

If you're referring to Lawrence L. Rouch's book published in 2003, I have a copy but its just as confusing as most of the histories I've read. It has lots of good pictures, but the author supports the 1866 birth date for the ginger ale and doesn't mention the 219 Woodward Avenue address nor Charles L'Hommedieu. In fact, Rouch's chronology in the back of the book states that 1866 is the "official" birth date for Vernor's Ginger Ale. Which could very well be true, except that I'd like to see some docu-mented proof of that date to set the record straight.

Here's the cover of the 128 page book I have ...

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

In other words ...

I honestly think there is something fishy about the numerous claims that state ...

"Vernor's Ginger Ale was born and first served at James Vernor's drug store at 235 Woodward Avenue in 1866"