City Directories and History: 1908 – Rock Hill Pepsi Cola (#142), Rock Hill Coca Cola (#140 West Main), 1922 – Andy Hood, 1922/23 – Rock Hill Laundry, 1936 – Dixie Laundry and Dry Cleaners, 1938 – Annie B. Massey, 1963 – NA
The RH Record reported on Feb. 26, 1904 – “That the Rock Hill Bottling works with S.N. Sowell, Prop., (the lived at #5 West Main St.,) began this week. The plant is located in the building next to the steam laundry on West Main Street. The works will manufacture twelve kinds of drinks, using power from the Catawba Power Company.”
The Herald reported on Dec. 10, 1904 – “Contractor Mr. Wm. Mitchell has a force of hands erecting a new building on West Main Street on the vacant lot between his office and the laundry. Mr. S.N. Sowell will move his Rock Hill Bottling Works plant to the new building, which will be 20-50 feet.”
The Record reported on Jan. 28, 1907 – “Mr. S. M. Barrett, who has been with the Rock Hill Bottling works for the past year, had a bad accident. He was standing near the machine and a bottle exploded, splitting his right check and ear. Dr. Massey, Jr., dressed the wounds.”
The RH Record reported on March 18, 1907 – “A reporter chanced to visit the RH Bottling Works last week and found this to be a very busy institution. The enterprise was started here by Mr. S.N. Sowell in 1904 – at first in a small way but has built up. It now employees eight men, runs by electricity, ships goods all over the countryside in wagons. He has recently associated his brother in law, Mr. C. P. Brasington, who will be on the road. They recently installed a sterilizing machine and the capacity is 20,000 bottles daily.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on July 11, 1907 – “Mr. W. M. Mitchell has the contract has the contract to build a handsome two story dwelling for Mr. S.M. Barrett in Woodland Park. (1908 City Directory states: Samuel M. Barrett and wife Daisy residing in Woodland Park. He is a salesman for the Rock Hill Pepsi Cola Bottling Company)
The Record reported on June 8, 1908, “that a costly fire at about 3 o’clock Friday morning (June 5, 1908), completely destroyed the building of the Rock Hill Steam Laundry, the Rock Hill Coca Cola Company and the offices and storerooms of J.J. Keller and Company. All were a complete loss with absolutely nothing being saved. All the buildings belonged to Capt. W.L. Roddey, except the Coca Cola Building, which was owned by Mr. W.M. Mitchell.” Also on June 8th, the Record reported that the businesses involved in the fire will relocated temporarily. The Steam Laundry will occupy the hall over Bailey’s Stable. They have placed an order for new machinery and hope to have a new building erected on the old site. J.J. Keller will occupy the second story of the Rock Hill Telephone Building near the Record Building. Mr. Crissman, Mg., of the RH Coca Cola Bottling Works, will be located in the warehouse in the rear of R.W. Cranford and the Rock Hill Supply Company. They will erect a new building on the same spot as the old one at once.”
*** The 1908 RH City Directory list a George B. Briasington affiliated with the RH Pepsi Co., listing his home as Darlington, S.C.
The RH Record reported on June 22, 1908 – “That the work of laying the foundation of the building for the Coca Cola Bottling Plant was begun this morning and the work will be completed as soon as possible. ”
The Rock Hill Record reported on March 4, 1909 – “A fire this morning in which the Rock Hill Pepsi Cola and the Rock Hill Coca Cola plants were both destroyed. The laundry, which is very close, was not damaged. Mr. S.N. Sowell, manager of the Pepsi Plant, says his loss will be about $4-5,000. Mr. Mauldin’s plant, the Coca Cola plant, was well insured. He telegraphed to Charlotte for a railcar of Coca Cola to keep his business going. Both buildings belonged to Wm. M. Mitchell.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on March 8, 1909 – “The Rock Hill Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., and the Bludwine Bottling Co., have been consolidated into a new company with stock of $8,000. to be known as the RH Pepsi Cola Bottling Company. Officers are: S.N. Sowell, Capt. W.A. Graham, and others…the business will be conducted at the Bludwine plant until the Pepsi building can be rebuilt.
The RH Record reported on May 6, 1909 – “The Pepsi Cola Co of Rock Hill has moved into its new business where they will occupy both rooms of the new building erected by Mr. W. M. Mitchell. The plant will be able to bottle ten thousand bottles per day, and will ship carloads to Chester and Lancaster. Mr. Sowell is the manager.”
The RH Herald reported on Jan. 4, 1916: “The Crescent Laundry with prop. Frew and Partlow, is being removed from the old laundry building off West Black Street to the Mitchell Building on West Main Street. They will use some of the old equipment and buy some new equipment opening in February.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on March 18, 1941 – “Work will start soon on a new bottling plant of the Pepsi Cola Company on land formerly owned by D.B. McFadden. It is located near the corner of West Main Street and McConnellsville Road, (South Cherry Road). This is located where the first green of the golf course was located. The contract is to E.N. Morgan, of Gastonia and the total cost will be $100,000.”
See misc. pages on R&R dealing with extensive African American businesses under topics such as barber, grocers, pool hall, and restaurant, etc., though this particular address appears to have been one of the numerous residences along the street. Also see the Urban Renewal image for a 1950’s look at the area.
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