Capitol Hill mystery soda machine, Vintage soda dispenser in Capitol Hill, Seattle, US
The Capitol Hill mystery soda machine is a vintage vending device that stood for decades in Capitol Hill, Seattle. Six buttons offered regular refreshments and unmarked mystery options that dispensed random bottles with each coin inserted.
The machine appeared in the 1990s outside a locksmith shop at the corner of John Street and 10th Avenue East. It operated until 2018, when it vanished without warning and left only a handwritten farewell note behind.
Neighborhood residents made regular trips to test the mystery selections, which ranged from forgotten flavors to current varieties. The element of chance turned each purchase into a small game that attracted collectors and curious passersby alike.
The device formerly stood at a street corner in Capitol Hill and charged between 55 cents and one dollar per drink. It disappeared in 2018 and its current whereabouts are unknown, so visitors cannot seek it out anymore.
No one ever witnessed who restocked the device or collected the money, leading to speculation about nighttime visits and secret owners. When it vanished, it left a handwritten note saying it had gone for a walk.
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