153 East White Street – Rock Hill Coca Cola Bottling Company

1946 City Directories

J.W. Crisman founded Rock Hill Coca-Cola Co. in 1906. The first bottling machines were run by hand and foot power. The bottling process was semi-automated in 1914. – Pettus

City Directories and History: 1917 – NA, 1928 – (Rock Hill Coca Cola Bottling Company) 1946 – Allen Motor Company, 1941 – Pontiac Motors, 1963 – Shillinglaw Used Cars

R&R HISTORY LINK:  Later Mauldin House on Aiken Ave.

The numbering system along this section of East White Street changed when Oakland Avenue was extended from East White Street on to East Black Street. But it was here that the Rock Hill Coca Cola Bottling Company constructed and operated their second headquarters. Between their headquarters and the corner were two lovely early 20th century home which were removed to St. John’s Court and later demolished. Both houses at #’s 201 – 205 were moved to Saint John’s Court behind Saint John’s Methodist church in the mid 20th century to make room for commercial development along the corner and next to the old Coca-Cola Bottling Company site.

Circa 1912 image – courtesy of the YC Historical Society – 2015

The Rock Hill Record reported on Sept. 1, 1907 – “Mr. Crisman, of the Coca Cola Co of this City, leaves today for the mountains of Virginia, where he will spend a month to try to improve his health.  Mr. Lynn of Chester will have charge of the plant in Mr. Crisman’s absence.”

The Rock Hill Record of Nov. 26, 1908 – reported that, “Mr. W.M. Molden (Mauldin), of Gainesville, Ga., has purchased the Coca Cola Plant in this city and expects to come her about Jan. 1st. Mr. Snyder will have charge of management of the plant.”

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 RH Record reported on March 8, 1909 – “Mr. Mauldin of the Coca Cola Plant is conducting his business at the Rock Hill Roller Mill until his plant is rebuilt and supplying his stock from Charlotte.”

The Herald reported, March 19, 1925 – “That W.M. Mauldin had announced the construction of a modern new Coca Cola Bottling Plant on East White Street, located between Davis’s Boarding House and the Bigger’s home. The building will cost $20,000. and will double the size of the plant now in operation on South Trade Street. The two story brick building will be  100 ft in length, N.G. Walker is the local architect – 1925.”

The Herald reported on April 9, 1925 – “The J.E. Healan, local contractor, has been awarded the contract for the new Coca Cola plant on East White Street by W.M. Mauldin at a cost of $20,000. He was selected from six contractors bidding.”

Early 20th century Coca Cola deliveries from the Mauldin’s Rock Hill Coca Cola plant. Courtesy of the Mauldin Family Collection – 2014

The Herald reported on June 10, 1925, “That Smith and Marshall had sold the NuGrape Bottling Company business to the Mauldins.” (The Rock Hill Record reported on Nov. 23, 1922 “that the Nugrape Bottling Co. was a new concern in Rock Hill.”) WU’s Pettus Archives also has plans for W.M. Mauldin by Rock Hill Architect dated Sept. 1927. R&R is unaware of what these plans may have been used for.

The Record reported on March 31, 1927 – “That the safe of the Catawba Lumber Company on West Main Street was entered by a burglar and about $100. was stolen. There was also an attempt to enter the Tri-City Fruit Company and recent attempts at the Rock Hill Coca-Cola Company and Cooper Furniture Company.”

The RH Herald reported on June 24, 1941 – “Work started today on the new Coca Cola Plant at the corner of College Ave. Ext., and Cherry Road.  The contract is to the Henry B. McKoy Co., of Greenville.  The Coca Cola plant has been on White Street since 1924 and that building has been leased to H and M Pontiac, now located at the corner of Black and Saluda.”

On Dec. 22, 1941 the Herald reported – “H and M Pontiac Motor Co., has moved from its previous location on the corner of Black and Saluda Street, to the former Coca Cola Bottling Co., building on East White.”

Coca Cola truck at the E. White Street business.  Mendenhall Collection – 2013

Click on the More Information > link found below the picture column for a picture of Saint John’s Court with the house near the corner of East White and St John’s Ct. as well as the former location of the house.

Mural painted by artist Shepard Fairey – 2021

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R&R HISTORY LINK:  BOTTLING WORKS IN ROCK HILL SC

R&R HISTORY LINK:  Previous Mauldin Home on Oakland Ave.

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