Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant is the oldest surviving structure directly connected to the early production of Coca-Cola. The structure served as the headquarters for Coca-Cola's parent company, Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company, from 1900 to 1901. The bottling plant symbolizes the soft-drink's transition from fountain to bottle at the turn of the century.
Images
Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant
Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant Historical Marker
Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant
Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant-- Freedom Walk
Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Additional Information
Asa Candler, head of Coca-Cola, was largely uninterested in bottling the popular soft-drink. "Coke," as it was popularly called, was primarily distributed by taps at local soda shops through the 1880s and into the 1890s. Candler was solicited by a number of individuals who wanted to bottle the drink. Benjamin Thomas and Joseph Whitehead gained exclusive rights to bottle Coca-Cola and distribute it throughout the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest. Thomas opened the first plant in Chattanooga and Whitehead (with investor John Lupton) opened the second in downtown Atlanta. Whitehead began marketing the product and the business quickly outgrew the original facility. The structure was designated a national historic landmark in 1983 and today houses the Georgia State University Baptist Student Union.
Asa Candler, head of Coca-Cola, was largely uninterested in bottling the popular soft-drink. "Coke," as it was popularly called, was primarily distributed by taps at local soda shops through the 1880s and into the 1890s. Candler was solicited by a number of individuals who wanted to bottle the drink. Benjamin Thomas and Joseph Whitehead gained exclusive rights to bottle Coca-Cola and distribute it throughout the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest. Thomas opened the first plant in Chattanooga and Whitehead (with investor John Lupton) opened the second in downtown Atlanta. Whitehead began marketing the product and the business quickly outgrew the original facility. The structure was designated a national historic landmark in 1983 and today houses the Georgia State University Baptist Student Union.
Sources
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/atlanta/dix.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_Coca-Cola_Bottling_Company_Plant
