LaGrange and on to West Point

In 1908, George S. Cobb, Sr., moved to LaGrange, Ga., as manager and part owner of the LaGrange Coca-Cola Bottling Company. This replaced a series of arrangements for bottling from 1903. A few years after coming to LaGrange, Mr. Cobb became sole owner of the business.

Early letterhead from the LaGrange Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Notice that George S. Cobb is president and below that Columbus Roberts, his brother-in-law and the Coca-Cola bottler in Columbus, Georgia, is listed as a director along with George S. Cobb.  Item on loan from Lillian Cobb  Cauble. 

In November 1908, the LaGrange Reporter told of the bottling company’s modern new quarters on Broad Street, designed to handle the heavy shipping trade, as well as the local patronage.

LaGrange Reporter, November 13, 1908

Then, in 1909, Mr. Cobb announced a move to West Point, Ga., where he would be over that plant, while continuing to oversee operations of  the LaGrange plant. Ed Hurst began his career with Coca-Cola as a mule driver in LaGrange. While Mr. Cobb bemoaned that “some of these early [mule] drivers were a sorry lot,” Mr. Hurst was an exception. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to manager of the LaGrange plant. He faithfully and adeptly served in that capacity for 35 years.

More letterhead from the LaGrange Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Notice that George S. Cobb is now listed as owner on the left, and on the right Ed Hurst is listed as manager. Item on loan from Lillian Cobb Cauble. 

Mr. Cobb described his  early days in West Point as  “hard, very hard” because he immediately faced competition from a non-affiliated plant bottling Coca-Cola.

 

George S. Cobb Sr. outside of his Coca-Cola bottling plant in West Point in 1909. Notice the painting on his plant’s window: “G.S.C.” Item on loan from Lillian Cobb Cauble. 

From 1909-1911, West Point Wholesale Grocery purchased Coca-Cola syrup and Coca-Cola crowns and began to bottle their own Coca-Cola. Mr. Cobb had the idea to label his beverages with his initials: G.S.C. A local 1909 newspaper advertised ”Drink G.S.C.—the only genuine Coca-Cola. Don’t accept the near imitations.”  Despite his early difficulties, Mr. Cobb increased Coca-Cola sales by 20 percent in 1909.

Advertisements published in the LaGrange Reporter, January 19, 1912

Next page: West Point – Center of G.S.C.’s Innovations