Virginia Department of Historic Resources
(dhr.virginia.gov)
For Immediate Release
May 2025
Contact:
Ivy Tan
Department of Historic Resources
Marketing & Communications Manager
ivy.tan@dhr.virginia.gov
804-482-6445
—The Town of Marion was dubbed the birthplace of modern Mountain Dew after one of its residents helped develop the flavor of the popular beverage—
—Text of marker reproduced below—
PLEASE NOTE: DHR creates markers not to “honor” their subjects but rather to educate and inform the public about a person, place, or event of regional, state, or national importance. In this regard, erected markers are not memorials.
RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) has announced that a state historical marker was dedicated highlighting the Town of Marion in Smyth County as the cradle of modern-day Mountain Dew, a popular citrus-flavored soft drink.
The dedication for the marker was held Friday, May 23, starting at noon, at the marker’s location on 517 North Main Street in Marion, Virginia (24354).
The dedication program began with welcome remarks given by the Mayor of Marion, Avery Cornett. The following guests also spoke at the dedication: Senator Travis Hackworth of Virginia’s 5th District; Delegate Jed Arnold of Virginia’s 46th District; John F. Hunter II, the mayor of Johnson City, Tennessee; and Joe Ellis, the visionary behind the project to erect the historical marker. DHR’s Historical Highway Marker Program Manager, Jennifer Loux, Ph.D., submitted a statement to be read on behalf of the Department. The marker unveiling took place following the conclusion of the ceremony.
The Town of Marion was nicknamed the birthplace of modern Mountain Dew after William H. “Bill” Jones, one of the town’s residents, helped develop the top-selling soda’s famous flavor. Mountain Dew originated as a clear lemon-lime beverage in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the 1940s. Distributors of early versions of the drink included bottlers in Johnson City, Tennessee, and Lumberton, North Carolina. In 1957, Jones became president of Marion’s Tip Corporation, a formulator of flavors for soft drinks. Tip acquired the trademark for Mountain Dew, and Jones refined the soda’s formula circa 1961, in part by conducting taste tests with Marion residents. Drink sales grew as a result and distribution expanded. The Pepsi-Cola Company bought Tip Corporation in 1964.
The Virginia Board of Historic Resources, which is authorized to designate new state historical markers, approved the manufacture and installation of the Birthplace of Modern Mountain Dew historical marker in September 2024. The Town of Marion sponsored the marker and organized the dedication event. The marker’s manufacturing cost was also covered by the Town.
Virginia’s historical highway marker program began in 1927 with installation of the first markers along U.S. Route 1. It is considered the oldest such program in the nation. Currently there are more than 2,600 state markers, mostly maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation, except in those localities outside of VDOT’s authority.
Full Text of Marker:
Birthplace of Modern Mountain Dew
William H. “Bill” Jones of Marion played a pivotal role in the development of Mountain Dew, one of the top-selling sodas in the U.S. The drink originated as a clear lemon-lime beverage in Knoxville, TN, in the 1940s. Bottlers in Johnson City, TN, and Lumberton, NC, were among those who distributed early versions. In 1957 Jones became president of Marion’s Tip Corporation, at 517 N. Main Street. Tip, a formulator of flavors for soft drinks, acquired the trademark for Mountain Dew. After Jones refined the drink’s formula ca. 1961, in part by conducting taste-tests with Marion residents, sales quickly increased and distribution expanded. The Pepsi-Cola Company purchased Tip Corporation in 1964.
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