Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ernest Woodruff
⎯⎯⎯
Robert Winship Woodruff
Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 4, 2017
1. Ernest Woodruff Marker
Ernest Woodruff was born in 1863 at 1420 2nd Avenue. He first worked for his father, George Waldo Woodruff, in his Columbus Empire Flour Mills, then as President of Joel Hurts Atlanta Streetcar Company, and as co-founder and President of the Trust Company of Georgia. In 1919, he created a syndicate to purchase Coca-Cola from the Candlers for $25 million. Although located in Atlanta, the reorganized Coca-Cola Companys formative leaders were either Columbus natives or residents.
Son of Ernest Woodruff and Emily Winship, Robert Winship Woodruff was born in 1889 at 1414 2nd Avenue. By 1923 the new Coca-Cola Company experienced falling syrup sales and declining stock prices. According to company lore, Board Chairman W. C. Bradley hired Robert Woodruff as President by convincing the two strong-willed Woodruffs they could work together. Robert made Coke the most recognized product in the world. During World War II he took the company international and guaranteed every GI fighting overseas a nickel Coke.
Erected 2016 by the Historic Columbus Foundation and the Historic
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 32° 28.396′ N, 84° 59.414′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. It is on 2nd Avenue (Georgia Route 85) north of 14th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1420 2nd Avenue, Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Birthplace of Robert Winship Woodruff (a few steps from
Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 4, 2017
2. Robert Winship Woodruff Marker
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. The Chronicle Of Coca-Cola: A Symbol of friendship. Coca-Cola website entry (Submitted on February 5, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Ernest Woodruff. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Robert W. Woodruff. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
the Historic Chattahoochee Commission.
3. Ernest Woodruff and Robert Winship Woodruff
Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 4, 2017
4. Home of Ernest Woodruff at 1420 2nd Avenue.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 4, 2017
5. Home of Robert Winship Woodruff at 1414 2nd Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,012 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 5, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
