City Center in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

First Coca-Cola Bottling Company In The United States

Photographed by R. E. Smith, December 22, 2007

1. First Coca-Cola Bottling Company In The United States Marker

Inscription. On July 21, 1899, two Chattanooga lawyers, Benjamin Franklin Thomas and Joseph Brown Whitehead, signed a contract with the Coca-Cola Company granting them the exclusive rights to bottle Coca-Cola in most of the United States. Another Chattanooga citizen, John Thomas Lupton, provided financial backing for the future development of the bottling business. The first Coca-Cola Bottling Company began operations at this site in November 1899.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2A 99.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1870.

Location. 35° 2.779′ N, 85° 18.44′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in City Center. It is on Patten Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

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: Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Library Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ochs/Times Building (about 300 feet away); Robert Schwartz and Company Building

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(about 500 feet away); Martin Hotel (about 500 feet away); First Methodist Church (about 600 feet away); The Impressions (about 600 feet away); Abby Crawford Milton (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.

Remants of the First Coca-Cola Bottling Company In The United States image. Click for full size.

Photographed by PaulwC3, June 17, 2014

2. Remants of the First Coca-Cola Bottling Company In The United States

Still visible today on the side of downtown Chattanooga building.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2009, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 3,726 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 28, 2009, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. 2. submitted on June 18, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.