The Story of Cherry Smash
In 1901, John E. Fowler of Richmond VA, developed a recipe for a cherry syrup used to flavor carbonated water and ice cream known as Cherry Smash. Quickly, the brand grew in popularity, becoming the second-largest soda brand in the nation behind Coca-Cola.
In the 1920s at the height of Prohibition, Fowler moved his business to Arlington.The soda continued to prosper, and its business provided the Arlington community with funds and vocations. Fowler was a proud member of the community, serving as a stockholder and faithful board member of the Arlington Trust Co.
During World War II, Cherry Smash continued its business while providing support to the war effort. Finally, in the 1950s, Fowler sold the manufacturing plant for $500,000, which was then transformed into the Key Bridge Marriott and Hot Shoppe Restaurant.
Cherry Smash and Prohibition
In the early 1900s, Arlington had several small developing communities; one was called Rosslyn. It was filled with gambling halls and saloons. One of the primary sources of revenue for the area was the Consumers Brewing Company, later the Arlington Brewing Company. The brewery supplied the residents with heavy amounts of alcoholic beverages. The town became a hub of illegal activities and alcohol-fueled corruption, its own “red light district.” Commonwealth Attorney Crandal Mackey cracked down on the illegal activities and attempted to clean up the area, which led to widespread support for prohibition.
When Prohibition went into effect in 1920, The Arlington Brewing Company lost business and abandoned the manufacturing plant in Rosslyn. Fowler purchased the building and continued to produce his Cherry Smash.
He capitalized on the popularity of non-alcoholic beverages during the era. Although illegal distribution and bootlegging grew exponentially, Cherry Smash succeeded without competition from major distilleries.
Cherry Smash and Advertisements
In 1806, Parson Mason Weems published the infamous "The Life of Washington." Among many stories about the life of George Washington, Weems included the fable of the president as a child confessing to chopping down his father’s cherry tree. Whether people knew that it was fictional or not, President Washington became known as the child who “could not tell a lie.”
Soon after it was published, the story appeared in many schoolbooks. It rapidly grew in popularity, and eventually many were unable to separate the fact from the fiction.
Cherry Smash capitalized on the notable tale and heavily featured it in its vibrant advertisements. One poster depicts George Washington, his hatchet, and the slogan “George Washington smashed the cherry tree, an action bold and rash, he had not learned, it would be turned to Fowler’s Cherry Smash.”
Sources
“A Brief History.” John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation, jefmf.org/history/. Accessed 20 May 2024.
Center for Local History. “Arlington Brewing Company - Arlington Had Its Own Brewery Making Beer for Thirsty Residents and Businesses.” Arlington Historical, www.arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/33. Accessed 20 May 2024.
Foster, Jack Hamilton. “Crandal Mackey, Crusading Commonwealth’s Attorney.” Arlington Historical Society, arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1984-4-Mackey.pdf. Accessed 20 May 2024.
Gilmore, Matthew. “New Arlington Historical Society Exhibit: ‘Arlington’s Brewery and Cherry Smash.’” H-Net, 22 July 2014, networks.h-net.org/node/28441/discussions/35750/new-arlington-historical-society-exhibit-%E2%80%9Carlington%E2%80%99s-brewery-and.
Landefeld, Savannah. “Crandall Mackey and Lawless Rosslyn.” Arlington Historical Society, arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2017-8-Crandall.pdf. Accessed 20 May 2024.
Peck, Garrett. “The Greatest Gang of Criminals.” Arlington Magazine, 14 Dec. 2020, www.arlingtonmagazine.com/the-greatest-gang-of-criminals/.
Uva, Katie. “Parson Weems.” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/parson-weems/. Accessed 20 May 2024.
“Arlington’s Signature Soda: Cherry Smash.” Arlington Public Library, 15 Apr. 2021, library.arlingtonva.us/2021/04/15/arlingtons-signature-soda-cherry-smash/.
