Waco, TX, cont.
The bridge across the Brazos attracted more and more business to the area and the town of Waco grew up along Austin Street to the west. By the end of the 1800’s a solid commercial district stretched for a number of blocks. Today the familiar trend of the central core being devoted to offices, restaurants, bars, etc., is exhibited here in Waco with most retail concentrated closer to the western suburbs. The striking centerpiece of the downtown area is the ALICO tower, a 22 story building that dominates the skyline as easily the tallest building in Waco. Built in 1911 by the American Life Insurance Company, an unfortunate remodeling of the street level façade and adjoining parking garage in the 1960’s mars the striking architecture of the original building.
Nearby to the north the majestic McClellan County Courthouse looms above the central core.
The historic main street is Austin, stretching from the 1870 bridge to the west.
As the economy began to diversify the “business of business”, along with the growth of Baylor University just south of the downtown area, spurred development in the area. An icon of the southwest was created just south of Austin Street in the late 1800’s and remains a favorite across the Southwest (as well as the nation) to this day, Dr. Pepper.
Dr. Pepper Museum
Dr. Pepper was invented in Waco by pharmacist Charles Alderton in 1885. The Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company Was formed in 1891 to produce and market the beverage. This building was constructed in 1906 to house the company and served as national headquarters until 1923 when the head offices were moved to Dallas. The photograph below is from 1910, showing wagons lined up ready for deliveries. A 1953 Chevrolet delivery truck has been restored to its’ original condition.
In the foreground of the next picture is a bottling machine that used recycled bottles.
The loft area behind the bottling machine shows the actual line that produced the soda. From left to right are the syrup crocks, sugar scales, measuring buckers, sugar bags, pressure gauge, stirring devices, metal storage tanks.
The recycled bottles were processed through a bottle washer and were inspected twice by hand for impurities.
A small gallery displays rare artifacts from the early days of Dr. Pepper. From left to right are bottles from 1897, 1903, and 1905.
Other rare artifacts include pin trays from the early 1900’s, early precursors of now ubiquitous product advertising.
Just south of the Dr. Pepper building the railroad tracks run east to west, lined with old commercial warehouses and grain silos. Here one finds the most recent manifestation of business in Waco, the Magnolia Market at the Silos.
Magnolia Market at the Silos
Five years ago HGTV began a television series (“The Fixer Upper”) featuring a young couple from Waco, Chip and Joanna Gaines, and their home remodeling business. The resulting phenomenon has created a cultural buzz that has become one of the leading tourist draws in Waco. The Gaines created Magnolia Market at the Silos, redeveloping one of the warehouse sites just south of central Waco into a tourist attraction featuring a bakery and home improvement store. I had been warned about the popularity of the market and so decided to go first thing in the morning on a rainy Saturday, hoping that the crowds of tourists would be manageable. Boy, was I wrong!
It was warm but pouring down rain as I approached the market just 10 minutes after it opened for the day. The first thing I noticed was the line of people already lined up (in the rain!) to get into the little bakery for one of those famous cupcakes often featured on the television show.
The bakery/silos on the east and the warehouse on the southwest frame a large plaza area (carpeted in artificial grass in an effort to accommodate the crowds and minimize the mud). It’s a regular party, even in the rain. Soccer balls and other toys are available for play on the grass, food trucks line the north side, and the crowds are loving it!
The silos are not developed, the large warehouse that is Magnolia Market is the center of the action. Another line is comprised of people waiting to enter…
The store offers many of the “shabby chic” home decorating items that Joanna uses on the show. Remember, this is around 10 minutes after opening. The crowd inside the store is amazing!
It was interesting, but “shabby chic” has a price, and it’s not cheap!!! It was a good thing I came early, as I left the lines were growing longer and there wasn’t any parking available for blocks around. I head back to my quiet, calm campground on the shores of Lake Waco and enjoy a beautiful sunset as I get ready to head farther south into the heart of Texas.’
Next up: The Texas Hill Country
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