TRIBAL LIBRARY OFFERS ROOT BEER FLOATS + A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BLACK COW

By Harrison J. Bahe

On September 1, 2026, the Fort McDowell Tribal Library hosted a Back-to-School Root Beer Float event, offering free, classic root beer floats to library patrons and attendees.

Root beer floats have been a staple of soda parlors, restaurants, and classic American diners. I figured I would take this opportunity to give you, the reader, a brief overview of the history of the root beer float, as my basic research into this combination of beverage and dessert yielded some interesting results.

The root beer float first appeared in the late 1800’s. According to legend, Frank Wisner, owner of the Cripple Creek Brewing Company in Colorado, was inspired one evening while looking at the snowy peaks of Cow Mountain illuminated by a full moon. The white snow against the dark mountain reminded him of a scoop of vanilla ice cream floating in a dark glass of soda. Inspired by the sight, Wisner reportedly added a scoop of vanilla ice cream to Meyers Avenue Red Root Beer and named the creation the “Black Cow.” This became the first known name and iteration of what would eventually become the beloved root beer float.

Root beer itself has much older roots. Indigenous peoples used ingredients such as sassafras and sarsaparilla to create herbal teas and beverages. Early settlers later adapted these ingredients into their own homemade brews. Commercial interest in root-based beverages eventually grew, and pharmacist Charles Hires introduced a commercially produced, non-alcoholic root beer mix in 1876.

Root beer floats became a fixture at American soda fountains during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During Prohibition in the 1920’s, non-alcoholic beverages such as root beer became even more popular as Americans sought alternatives to alcoholic drinks.

The history of root beer continued to evolve throughout the 20th century. In the 1960’s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration restricted the use of sassafras oil because of health concerns. Root beer manufacturers had to re-engineer traditional recipes, using alternative flavorings and extracts to recreate the familiar taste which eventually led to the root beer beverage we all know and love today.

While the Tribal Library handed out root beer floats to its patrons, librarian Tina Austin also discussed some of the library’s upcoming programs, including an active book club, STEM offerings, and a variety of activities for children and adults alike.

I hope you have enjoyed this brief and informative journey through the history of the root beer float. If you find yourself looking for something to do over the Labor Day weekend, head down to the Fort McDowell Tribal Library to check out some books, use the computers, play a few games, and perhaps even rent a movie or two. And if you’re lucky, maybe they’ll have another Black Cow waiting for you.