On September 28, 1883, a series of simple advertisements appeared in the Calgary Herald, placed between short paragraphs about tinsmiths, loggers, and hunters in the area. They were concise, staccato statements, mesmerizing in their rhythmic placement amidst the news of the day. Cronk is the drink. Dr. Cronk. Try Cronk. Cronk is good. And simply, Cronk. The ads promoted a sweet, mildly alcoholic soda that once captured North America’s attention, much like Coca-Cola would do in the next century. Cronk was the drink, after all, and their hilariously compelling advertisements…
