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SIPPING SODA: A Quick History of Soda Fountains and Their Collectibility

Written by Nicole Ellan James

LAS VEGAS 2023 – 1950S STAINLESS-STEEL SODA FOUNTAIN IN COCA-COLA REGALIA – $80,500

Little known to many and an interesting fact: The origins of soda fountains can be traced back to pharmacies. Today when you think of soda fountains, a plethora of images rushes to mind: the colossal 44-ounce Big Gulp available at 7-Eleven, the drink dispenser at your cherished fast-food joint and perhaps gleaming stainless-steel counters with a ’50s diner vibe. Remarkably, from the early 20th century until the 1960s, both city dwellers and small-town residents relished carbonated beverages at local soda fountains found mainly inside drug stores.

LAS VEGAS 2015 – 1960s BASTIAN BLESSING SODA FOUNTAIN – $18,975

Soda’s origin is medicinal, stemming from naturally carbonated waters found in volcanic springs. Due to transportation challenges, only pharmacies initially stocked it. Its effervescent properties made it a prescribed remedy for stomach issues. Researchers, fascinated by its lack of side effects, explored and recreated the process of dissolving chemical compounds of gas bubbles in water, leading to the soda we know today.

The first application of creating man-made carbonated water can be traced back to 1767, when an Englishman discovered the process using yeast, though the term “soda water” was not coined until 1798. Over time, the imitation of carbonated mineral waters advanced, transitioning to a blend of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid in water. To enhance the drink’s taste, fruit juices and artificial flavors were later incorporated.

In the quest for mass-producing artificially carbonated water, cost-effective methods remained elusive until 1832 when a British-born inventor introduced an apparatus capable of producing significant quantities. Soda fountains continued to evolve and were transformed into visually appealing apparatuses, combining functionality with style. They became a crucial investment for every pharmacy.

In 1863, the first patent was issued for a marble soda fountain and ice shaver. This eye-pleasing apparatus, made of white Italian marble, onyx and glistening brass with large mirrors, was housed in a miniature cottage. By 1875, soda fountains had become widespread across America, becoming integral to the culture. The intense competition among pharmacies and confectionary shops led to the creation of perfect drinks at the lowest prices to attract customers. During peak summers, sales at individual shops sometimes reached over a thousand glasses of soda per day.

Interestingly, in the early days of soda fountains, drinks often contained drugs like cocaine and caffeine, used for headache treatment. The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914 banned cocaine in “over-the-counter” products.

SCOTTSDALE 2015 – 1950’s SODA FOUNTAIN BAR – $17,250

During the same period, egg-based beverages became highly popular at soda fountains, particularly egg phosphates, which were a favorite among customers. These creamy drinks were created by combining soda water, raw egg, phosphate and flavored syrup, resulting in a delightful concoction. Alongside the egg phosphates, milkshakes (originally made with carbonated water, sweetened flavored milk and a raw egg) and ice cream sodas (flavored soda water with a scoop of vanilla ice cream) also gained popularity.

By the early 1920s, soda fountains were prevalent in almost every drugstore. The onset of prohibition in 1919 led to the closure of bars, driving people to seek socialization at soda fountains, which contributed to their increasing popularity. Preservative-free soda syrup, with flavors extracted from natural fruits, created tastes like Orange Crush and Cherry Smash, becoming common in local drugstores. Syrup companies offered free syrup dispensers to pharmacists in exchange for advertising. Additionally, major companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi provided soda dispensers to pharmacies at no cost.

While they were popular with all Americans, teenagers frequented soda fountains the most. The stars of the show were soda jerks – so-named for the way they jerked the handles used to extract fruit syrups from the pumps – who held court behind the counter, making the sometimes-complicated creations for the patrons – anything from a Brown Cow (basically a root beer float with chocolate syrup) to a Lime Rickey (a mix of lime juice, fruit or sugar syrup, as well as seltzer – a descendent of its alcoholic forefather) to a Catawba Flip (vanilla ice cream, egg, grape juice and seltzer).

Soda fountains reached their iconic look in the 1950s, embracing streamlined designs with stainless steel or marble flat-tops. They featured distinctive fixtures like

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: SIPPING SODA: A Quick History of Soda Fountains and Their Collectibility
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/sipping-soda-a-quick-history-of-soda-fountains-and-their-collectibility/
Published Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2023 20:47:52 +0000

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

Written by Barbara Toombs

Fremont Street in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.

Millions of visitors are understandably attracted to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas’ renowned Strip each year, where world-class resorts, casinos, shows and incredible dining options are the name of the game.

What many don’t realize is that there’s another fascinating side to the Entertainment Capital of the World, headlined by two cultural districts known simply as Downtown and Chinatown.

Downtown Las Vegas (also known as DTLV) is really where this unique desert city got its start. In 1931, construction began on what is now known as the Hoover Dam, attracting thousands of workers to a site just east of the city. To capitalize on this growing workforce, savvy businessmen began building casinos and showgirl venues along Las Vegas’ only paved road at the time: Fremont Street.

Today, DTLV is comprised of three distinct districts. Many visitors to the city are already familiar with one of them: the Fremont Street Casino District, which contains museums, restaurants and bars, as well as the original Las Vegas casinos, including El Cortez, Golden Nugget and Golden Gate. Here you’ll also find the renowned Fremont Street Experience, which debuted in 1995. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is covered by a canopy of more than two million LED lights and a state-of-the-art sound system that comes to life every night for a spectacular sound and light show called “Viva Vision.”

The Arts District

A popular attraction in this district is The Mob Museum (the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement), which showcases intriguing tales and the age-old dichotomy of good guys versus bad guys. Explore at your own pace, go on a guided tour or uncover museum surprises as part of a group scavenger hunt. Want a literal “taste” of old-school Las Vegas? Plan to dine at Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, perched on the 24th floor of Binion’s Gambling Hall. The restaurant dates back to 1965 when it was known as Top of the Mint, the signature dining spot at The Mint hotel tower. The interior design (and menu – think steak, prime rib, lobster and even Baked Alaska) is a throwback to an earlier era when the mob ran much of Las Vegas, but the real draw is the spectacular view through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Built in 2002, the Fremont East Entertainment District (FEED) is a six-block area that stretches from Las Vegas Boulevard East to 8th Street and from Ogden Street South to Carson. FEED is pedestrian-friendly, offering diverse street life and many eateries, cafes, bars and lounges, as well as ample shopping opportunities and lively entertainment. A must-see attraction in this district is the Downtown Container Park – a dining, shopping and live music venue made of 45 colorful repurposed shipping containers, all fronted by a two-story, fire-breathing praying mantis who made its original debut at Burning Man. Nearby is the popular Bin 702 – one of many great dining choices in the area – featuring a great selection of beer and wine, as well as a tantalizing choice of charcuterie and cheese, sandwiches and small plates for sharing.

18b sign in The Arts District.

In recent years, The Arts District – or the 18b as it’s also known (a reference to it occupying 18 blocks of Downtown Las Vegas, loosely outlined by Commerce Street, Colorado Ave, Fourth Street and Hoover Avenue) – has been growing in popularity. Its monthly “First Friday” block party and art walk features food trucks and live music, serving as a backdrop for artists showing their works off at a variety of open-air and indoor galleries. These include The Arts Factory, home to over 30 artists and art galleries, and ArtSquare, a hip establishment that houses design stores, designer’s studios, wellness spots, and food and drink outlets. Behind The Arts Factory sits one of many great dining choices in The Arts District: Taverna Costera, serving up delicious Coastal Mediterranean fusion that draws inspiration from coastal Spanish, French, Italian and Greek cuisines and beyond.

Just a couple of miles east of the Strip, along Spring Mountain Road (roughly between Rainbow Boulevard and Interstate 15), lies the city’s amazing Chinatown, which has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades. Here you’ll find the largest collection of Asian businesses in Southern Nevada, including a multitude of authentic Asian restaurants, gift shops, a hair stylist, a reflexologist, home decor, an Asian supermarket and the only Chinese bookstore in Nevada.

At Chinatown’s heart is the enormous and ornate Chinatown Plaza, featuring a colorful, dragon-adorned, Tang Dynasty-inspired gate and gleaming

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/beyond-the-strip-discover-the-cultural-gems-of-las-vegas-2023/
Published Date: Fri, 19 May 2023 18:07:14 +0000

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

This red 1967 Corvette custom coupe received a complete custom restoration at Springfield Motorsports in Peachland BC, Canada. The build consists of a completely new jig-mounted tube chassis with C4 corvette front upper and lower control arms riding on coilover shocks and power rack & pinion steering. The rear differential is a custom narrowed 9-inch Ford with aluminum Dale Gerry center section with Wilwood disc brakes on all 4 corners. Filling out the wheel wells are custom offset Fikse wheels.

K&S machine in Kelowna, British Columbia took the 454ci engine and machined it to 496ci it is equipped with Comp Thumper camshaft and 800cfm carburetor and it creates a true hot rod sound through the ceramic-coated exhaust. Lee Baxter upholstery created the one-off hand-stitched red leather interior with a rear storage area. It features Vintage Air, Digital gauges, power windows and a leather-wrapped vintage-style steering wheel.

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: 2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/2024-scottsdale-auction-1967-chevrolet-corvette-custom-coupe-no-reserve/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:52:01 +0000

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From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

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Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
The Honda CBX 1000 was only in production for four years, but that was enough time for it to leave a lasting impression on the motorcycle industry. First released it in 1978 as a screaming six-cylinder naked superbike, it later faced stiff competition from its stablemate—the equally iconic CB900F. So the Japanese marque redesigned it as a sport tourer, halfway through its tenure.

The updated ‘CBX-B’ had a touring fairing, optional panniers, and Honda’s new-at-the-time Pro-Link mono-shock setup. It was a hair less powerful than before, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a legend in its own right. If you park a CBX and CBX-B next to each other, you could argue that the latter has more presence.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

It’s that mystique that prompted the owner of this 1982 Honda CBX 1000 Pro-Link to buy it. Enamored with the fusion of modern technology and ancient traditions found in Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, he was on the hunt for a classic motorcycle that embodied that philosophy. When he found the CBX, the sheer brutalism of its six-cylinder engine was impossible to ignore.

“In the eyes of this enthusiast, the engine wasn’t just a mechanical marvel; it was the soul of the motorcycle, much like the heart in a human body,” says Tiago Gonçalves, founder of the Portuguese custom shop, Unik Edition. “This revelation laid the foundation for a transformative project, one that would honor the motorcycle’s origins while infusing it with a new identity.”

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik EditionRead More

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By: Wesley Reyneke
Title: From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/honda-cbx-1000-restomod
Published Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 16:34:54 +0000

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