In 1888, 1893, 1898 and 1904, a vacant lot occupied the lot that was to become 214 South Colorado Street.       In 1909, a small storage building was located at what was to become 214 South Colorado Street. ->     In 1916 and 1923, a vacant lot occupied the lot that was to become 214 South Colorado Street.

south side - 1909 map

A two-story brick building was built between 1923 and 1929.  A 12 foot wide alley is shown to the north side of this building and the building on the east of it, all the way to the north-south alley of 8. "In 1929, the Coleman Body Works was located at 214 South Colorado Street.  It was owned by C. Hubert Shore and Paul O. Brown.  Their telephone number was 211.  Their work included wrecked automobiles rebuilt, auto glass, radiator shop, painting and wood work, seat covers, trimming, upholstering, fender work, and welding.  Also located at this address was Garnett and Bettis, automobile dealers.  Y. C. Boyles was the salesman." (Coleman City Directory, 1929 - Hudspeth.)

south side - 1930 map

In 1932, The Coca Cola Bottling Works moved from 117 West Street to 214 South Colorado Street.

Letter head of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company Coleman, Texas dated January 1, 1935

The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Coleman is one of the most up-to-date and modernly equipped in West Texas.  This plant was opened here in 1932, installing all the latest equipment used in that line of business.  The washing, sterilizing and filling of bottles is done by the most sanitary and scientific methods known to the beverage bottling industry.  This plant turns out about six hundred cases daily, which seems and is, a lot of Coca-Cola.  When one takes into consideration the fact that the Coleman plant is the distributing agent for Coleman and six adjoining counties and the exceeding popularity of the drink, then you can readily realize that the supply in no way exceeds the demand.  This trade territory is covered by a fleet of six trucks which serve the retail trade daily. 

The local plant, located at 214 Colorado Street is managed by Mr. Jack Barker, exceeding the Gibson brothers who were in charge when the place first organized.  Mr. Barker was with the Coca-Cola Co., for 8 years previous to that time.  Under his very able management, the business has grown to where it maintains a regular daily production schedule which assures all dealers an ample supply and regular delivery.  It is situated in a new, modern brick structure and is disinfected thoroughly after each day’s work, which assures you are getting a drink produced under the most sanitary conditions.  The local plant has been inspected at regular intervals, and each time has been awarded a seal of perfection.

It is not altogether the bottling equipment of the Coleman Coca-Cola Bottling works that is interesting, although the scientific precision with which it is operated attracts instant attention but the preparation of bottles to receive Coca-Cola is a process almost as fascinating.  Much stress is laid in this day and time as to sanitation regarding food products, and properly so.  Nowhere is sanitation and purity more closely observed than at the Coca-Cola plant.  This is in evidence from the time the “empties” are unloaded until they are refilled and replaced in the delivery cases. The care and caution exercised in cleansing the bottles and making them absolutely sterile would find nothing but commendation from the most pronounced sanitationist.  The sterilizing equipment represents the last word in making bottles germ proof beyond question.  When a bottle of Coca-Cola leaves the Coleman plant the operators know in so far as it is humanly possible to know, that it contains not the faintest trace of any foreign substance.  This also applies, of course, to the other products of the Coca-Cola bottling works.

Known the world over, Coca-Cola is consumed everywhere.  Its manufacture and distribution is nowhere more carefully or scientifically handled than at the plant of the Coca-Cola Bottling Works.  Mr. Barker invites you to visit them at anytime and see how Coca-Cola is made.

original photograph - from the Ralph Terry Collection  Interior of Cola Cola Bottling Plant M. B. Casey (left) and Everett McKinney (right), taken about 1935 (Note the McCullough Service Station out the window to the left, with its curved entrances.)

south side - 1948 map

The buildings at 111 East College Avenue and 113 East College Avenue, located to the west of 214 South Colorado Street, on Lot 13 - Block 8, were being used in 1948 as the Coca Cola Warehouse.  I do not know when they first were used as the warehouse, nor when they ceased to be used.

"In June 1948, the Coca - Cola Bottling Company was located at 214 South Colorado Street.  Their telephone number was 4401."  (The Southwestern States Telephone Company, Coleman - Novice, Texas, June 1948.) 

from the original negative - taken by Hugh Capps, owned by Ralph Terry  Cola Cola Bottling Plant in the early 1950's

digital image - by Ralph Terry  east side - March 2003

The former Coca Cola Bottling Company building, taken in early 2003.

Sometime after 1962, the Gulf filling station located at 218 South Colorado Street was purchased by the Coca Cola Bottling Company.   The old filling station was removed and a new metal building built for the office of the bottling company.  This address was incorporated into the 214 South Colorado Street address.

digital image - by Ralph Terry south side - March 2003