The Custom: Ordering ice cream treats at the soda fountain.

Where can you do this? 21 soda fountains around the state. (operating in 2026)

HAVE A TREAT AT A KANSAS SODA FOUNTAIN!

In the first half of the 20th-century, most Kansas towns claimed at least one soda fountain. At the start of the 21st century, we had about 48.  Now, in 2012, we are down to thirty-nine operating fountains. (As of 2026, there are 21 operating soda fountains.)

Make it a quest to visit each of the 39 fountains!  You'll see many different styles.  A few date back to the 1920s and are located in their original location with the back bar, mirror, brass rail, and marble counter. Those built after 1950 have Formica counter-tops and some early marble tops have been converted to Formica.

Potwin Drug in Topeka has the oldest (1902) operating fountain in the state.  The most recently opened are found at Ray's Pharmacy in Quinter and Soda n' Suds in Canton (now closed).  

Purists love working spigots and use of syrups but this list is more lenient.  Some spigots work, others don't. Parts are expensive and hard to find and someone to install them is even more rare.

ABILENE, In 2020, Auburn Pharmacy donated the soda fountain to the Dickinson County Historical Society. It's a 1920s seven-stool soda fountain with round mirror and 1972 Formica counter top. 

AGENDA, Hope Floats, 400 block of Railroad Street.  785.732.6595.  Open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  Marble counter and back bar, mirror. Five stools. (Call before you go.)

ANTHONY, Irwin Potter Drug, 202 W. Main. 620.842.5119. Open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. This U-shaped bar with eleven stools and Formica counter was built in 1968.  They specialize in fresh-squeezed cherry limeades topped with a maraschino cherry!

ARKANSAS CITY, Graves Drug, 212 S. Summit. 620.442.2300. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Soda fountain is visible but no longer in use.

BELOIT, One Cup Cafe, 100 S. Mill.  785.534.1971.  Open Wednesday-Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  A marble countertop, back bar and mirror, and six stools are featured. The soda fountain is visible but no longer in use.

CHANUTE, Cardinal Drug Store, 103 E. Main. 620.431.9150. Open Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

CIMARRON, Linger Gig Lab, 101 S. Main. lingergiglab@gmail.com. Open Monday-Saturday 2-8 p.m. The 1920s tile-counter soda fountain has gleaming silver spigots.

COFFEYVILLE, Sunflower Soda Fountain, 125 W. 8th. 620.251.2424. Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Find old-fashioned treats inside this combination diner and coffee shop. 

COUNCIL GROVE, Dustie Shelf, 108 W. Main. 620.767.8146. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Find an old-fashioned soda fountain in the back of this antiques and collectibles shop. 

GARDEN CITY, Traditions Soda & Sandwich, 121 Grant Ave. 620.275.1998. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.  A 1950s sign says three dips of ice cream was once 24 cents.

GLASCO, Hodge Podge, 113 E. Main. 785.568.2542. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. This six-stool counter has a back bar and mirror. Friendly people, too!

GREENSBURG, Kiowa County Historical Museum and Soda Fountain, 320 S. Main. 620.723.1125. Soda Fountain Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

HAMILTON, Holmes Sundry, 101 E. Main. 620.678.3830. Open Open Tuesday-Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-12 p.m. The 1920s soda fountain has been updated but retains the original syrup pumps and water spigots. Milkshakes are still served.

HERINGTON, Kay's Health Mart, 2 W. Main. 785.258.3703. Open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. The soda fountain dates back to the 1910-1915 era with back bar, mirror, brass rail, and six stools. However, the spigots no longer are used but ice cream treats still served.

HOLTON, Holton Mercantile (former Koger Variety), 417 New York. 785-364-3321. Open Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Built in 1920s, this fountain still has the original tile counter, five stools and mirror. Still serves fizzy drinks and ice cream treats.

HOXIE, Mahanna Pharmacy, 815 Main.  785.675.3461. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 1950s soda fountain sports an orange Formica counter top and nine stools. Spin on the stools while you ponder your order. How about a Chocolate Peanut Delight or maybe a Swirley?

HOWARD, Batson's Drug, 102 N. Wabash. 620.374.2265. Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Rebuilt in 1953. Back bar, mirrors, 8 stools, speckled Formica top, spigots not working but ice cream treats still served.

MARQUETTE, City Sundries, 104 N. Washington. 785.546.2234. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Original 1901 marble-top soda fountain is complete with back bar and mirror. Spigots not working but ice creams treats served..  

QUINTER, Ray's Pharmacy, 414 Main. 785.754.3312. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.. The back bar in this 13-stool fountain dates back to 1904 but the metal parts to 1948.  There's even a brass rail to rest your feet.

SABETHA, Gene's Corner inside Sabetha Pharmacy, 934 Main. 785.284.3414. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4-6 p.m. Call ahead to confirm open. Summer hours vary. Serving ice creams, smoothies and coffee.

SENECA, Cornerstone Coffee Haus, 5th and Main. 785.294.0924. Open Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m; Saturday 7-11 a.m.-10 p.m. This is the only 1950s double horseshoe counter in the state.

TOPEKA, Potwin Drug Store (within Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site), 124 NW Fillmore. 785.368.3888. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday 12-4 p.m. Built in 1902, this soda fountain has a dark green marble top and mirror. 

WAKEENEY, Gibson Health Mart, 125 N. Main. 785.743.5753. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. It's a nine stool counter and still serves Green Rivers and sodas, malts and shakes the old-fashioned way

WESTMORELAND, The West Pharm, 402 Main. 785.457.3611. Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m-12 p.m. The original 1950s style Formica countertop, swivel stools, authentic booths have been removed and the counter and backbar and booths have all been remodeled. The spigots and fountain are still in use.

WICHITA, Jimmie's Diner, 3111 N. Rock Road. 316.636.1818. Open daily 6 a.m..-8 p.m. A classic 1950s diner.

WICHITA, Old Mill Tasty Shop, 604 E. Douglas. 316.264.6500. Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Built in the late 1920s, this twenty-five foot marble counter with eleven stools, a wooden back bar, and brass foot rails is a dandy.