Dr. John Stith Pemberton

a pharmacist and the original creator of Coca-Cola 

(1831-1888)

On May 8, 1886 he developed an early version of a beverage that would later become Coca-Cola, but sold the rights to the drink shortly before his death.  He and his son sold the remaining portion of the patent to a fellow Atlanta pharmacist, Asa Griggs Candler for $300 which in 2022 purchasing power is equal to $9,372.88.  Candler became the 42nd Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia from 1917-1919.

Asa Griggs Candler, Sr.

(1851-1929)

Charles Howard Candler

1878-1957

Charles Howard Candler was an American businessman and author.  He was one of the few people that his father, Asa Candler first trusted with the secret formula used to make Coca-Cola which then included coca leaves. 

Believed to be the first coupon ever, this ticket for a free glass of Coca-Cola was first distributed in 1888 to help promote the drink.  By 1913, the company had redeemed 8.5 million tickets. 

Among communities across America, several Florida cities have historic former Coca-Cola bottlings plants featuring facade reliefs or embedded signs.

In Palatka, an historic building has a vintage Coca-Cola sign in carved bas-relief set into its brick exterior.  The former bottling plant, dating to the 1930s is part of the Palatka South Historic District.

Coca-Cola Bottling Company 

Palatka, Florida

Circa early 1900s

939 North Magnolia Avenue

Ocala, Florida

In Ocala, the old Coca-Cola bottling plant, built in 1940, has a Mission/Spanish Revival-style bottle.  The building's architectural elements include a crest on the front facade featuring the classic Coca-Cola bottle.  The building is now an artist hub known as "The Gallery at NoMa".

Circa 1903

In Key West, a building that once served as a Coca-Cola bottling plant, starting around 1923, features the phrase "PROPERTY OF COCA COLA BOTTLING COMPANY" in etched relief at its base. 

In Fort Lauderdale another Mission/Spanish Revival-style bottling plant, built in 1938 has undergone restoration.  While it did not feature a bas-relief, it did have large windows for viewing the bottling process which has been replicated in the restoration.

Elmira Coca-Cola Bottling Company Works

Elmira, New York

Circa 1939

The location is not longer a bottling plant.  It is used by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 139.  It was added to the National Register of Historic Places 

May 23, 1997. The architectural style is Moderne.

A refurbished Coca-Cola advertisement.

Minden, Louisiana

Circa 1943