The Coca-Cola Trail

by Larry Jorgensen

People and Places in the history of Coca-Cola.
People throughout the United States who were instrumental in creating
the world's most recognized brand.
Places where the reader can visit today and learn the history of these places.
Thirty chapters which include historic photos.

Genres: Travel

210 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published April 15, 2017

Reviews

[Gail C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating book this is. From the opening pages when you learn about the first bottling plant which was contracted through Asa Candler, a name well known to any Atlantan, you are steeped in the tradition and genealogy of Coca Cola, known as Coke to any southerner. Known as Coke throughout the south and now everywhere it’s sold, known as Coke most anywhere in the South. In the first few chapters you learn how Coke and the south have intertwined through the years and reading about some of the people first involved in the Coke story is like a who’s who of the south, Candler being one example and Woodruff being another.
The bottling companies, some of which can still be seen if you travel the backroads of the country, were once the lifeblood of many smaller towns. They were begun by local families, and often family run for years until either shutting down or being sold to the Coca Cola Corporation, employing many of the local residents.
Next you move on to the historic signs that have been discovered and restored around the country; some even gaining recognition in the historic register. These chapters could form a map for the Coke enthusiast to plan a driving trip to see some of the historic places that were central to the development of Coke. The trip might also include one or two museums that have been created and are still maintained that highlight the story of both Coke and the local involvement.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Coke memorabilia and also to anyone who is interested in learning a different portion of the history of the south. Of course, Coke extended past the southern states, even in the beginning, with one of the earliest bottling plants being located in Leadville, Colorado. If you grew up drinking Coke, this is somewhat like a trip down memory lane as well; filled with pictures of old places and people who were active in the first years of Coke.

[Brooke Barnum Berntson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was going to be more about the history of Coca-Cola and those who started it etc…it’s a book all about Coca-Cola bottling. So, if you want to learn some really random and odd facts about Coke and the people and towns that did some of the bottling, read this.

[Barbara Wellnitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting places to visit. The book could use some proofreading.

[Mark C. Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some interesting things in the book. However, my enjoyment of the book was lessened by the poor editing and page layout found inside.

I did appreciate the stuff about the vending machine repair/restoration business. It helped me find a lead on a machine I might want to buy one day. For the sake of clarity, it would have been nice to include a mention of the controversies surrounding that business.

If you really, really like Coca-Cola history, this book could be worth your time.