Over 3,500 years ago, our water began naturally flowing from a protected spring, filtering through granite-based aquifers in the valley of the Ouachita Mountains. That was just the beginning for our premium American spring water. Many years later, we would begin bottling its pure taste at the source to sell coast to coast, landing us in the hearts and fridges of celebs like “The King” himself, Elvis Presley. Here’s how it all happened:
1871 - We originated from Hot Springs, Arkansas and were originally known as “Lockett’s Spring Water,” until pharmacist Peter E. Greene and his brother, John Greene renamed our mineral rich spring water Mountain Valley after a small community nearby.
1883 - The Mountain Valley Water Company was officially formed.
1902 - Ownership of the spring was transferred to a major stockholder named August Schlafly, making him and his family sole owners.
1908 - Franchise offices followed in Chicago, Illinois, and New York City, some out of pure coincidence and shared enjoyment of the same spring water.
1920s - Mountain Valley Water becomes the favorite among the United States Senate, and remains so today. We’re also proud to proclaim that Commanders in Chiefs from Coolidge to Eisenhower to Clinton have stayed hydrated with our water.
1928 - We stretched our legs and distribution began in California, making Mountain Valley the first bottled water to be available coast to coast.
1924 - Schlafly purchased the DeSoto Springs Mineral Water Company, located at 150 Central Avenue in Hot Springs. The two-story, Classical Revival brick building was built specifically to house a mineral water depot.
1930 - Clinicians note improvements in the health of patients suffering from kidney and liver disorders and rheumatism after introducing our 7.8 pH water into their diets.
1936 - Mountain Valley Water Company makes the DeSoto building its national headquarters and visitor center.
1966 - The Schlaflys sold the company to a group of distributors under the leadership of John G. Scott. The company’s headquarters were moved to Paramus, New Jersey, and the historic Mountain Valley building was closed.
April 1987 - Sammons Enterprises of Dallas, Texas, purchased the company and returned administrative operations to Hot Springs. Sammons sold the company in April 2004 to private ownership and Mountain Valley Spring Water remains privately owned to this day.
2003 + 2011 - Named Best Tasting Water twice at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Awards.
2018 - Mountain Valley Spring Water named Best Tasting American Still Water at the 28th Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting.
Present Day - We’re still bottled at the source, shipped coast to coast, and naturally ionized. We haven’t fussed with much, and we still offer the same, convenient home + office delivery we’ve had since day one. Head on over to our distribution page to enter your zip code and get started scheduling your next delivery or find us at a local retailer near you!
