See The World and Never Leave Texas. Part 3: Dublin

It is fully my intention when in retirement to write a book about Texas towns that are named after other (and usually better known) parts of the globe.  I have had the idea since we first moved to Texas in 1997 and discovered that Paris, Italy, Athens and Palestine could all be viewed without leaving the Lone Star State.  The plan is to visit the less famous Texas town, take in the sights and pen a summary with maybe a humorous attempt to see how it compares to its better known cousin.

Last spring while en route to Fredericksburg, we spent a few pleasant hours in Dublin, TX.  It is renowned in soda pop circles as being the home to Dublin Dr. Pepper (with real cane sugar!), that is until the muckety-mucks at corporate HQ decided to rescind the bottling rights.  The plant lives on though as Dublin Bottling Works (originally established in 1891), producing such fizzy delights as Sweet Peach, Vanilla Cream and a Black Cherry that is said to bear an uncanny resemblance to Dr. Pepper.

Before we guzzled the soda, we ate a very filling lunch at Granny's Clarks, a low frills, no nonsense greasy spoon.  I can recommend the chicken fried steak without hesitation.

There is not consensus on how Dublin, TX got its name.  Per the oracle of all things Texan, The Texas Almanac,  "It was founded in 1854 by A. H. Dobkins and named in 1860, probably for the warning cry at Indian raids, "Double In," for the capital of Ireland, or for the double-log cabins used by early settlers".

Nothing like choices but the local population of almost four thousand would seem to be leaning towards Ireland based on their St. Patrick's Day festivities and street names: Grafton, Shannon and Shamrock.  Wonder if there is a Comanche and a Mesquite Street in Baile Átha Cliath?

Dublin mural - check out the cattle brands

Bill Kloster, who made Dublin Bottling Works what it is today