A potential piece of American business history has surfaced in atlanta, georgia, during the renovation of a historic home once owned by early Coca-Cola executive Asa Griggs Candler. Workers renovating the 1888 Inman Park property unearthed a barrel believed to have perhaps stored the original Coca-Cola formula [[3]]. The discovery underscores how ongoing progress and preservation projects can reveal unexpected connections to the past,and in this case,to one of the world’s most iconic brands [[1]].
A real estate developer in Atlanta, Georgia, unearthed a potential piece of Coca-Cola history while renovating a historic property – a barrel believed to have once held the original formula for the world’s most famous soft drink. The discovery highlights the intersection of property investment and unexpected historical finds, a phenomenon increasingly common as older properties are repurposed.
Jeff Notrica, president of Inman Park Properties, purchased the historic home for $1 million. The property, built in 1888, once belonged to Asa Griggs Candler, a key figure in the early success of The Coca-Cola Company.
During a basement inspection, Notrica discovered a barrel bearing the Coca-Cola brand. Experts now believe the container, dating back to the early 1900s, may have been used to store the prototype recipe for Coca-Cola.
Notrica originally intended to preserve the building’s historical character and convert it into a commercial space. He enlisted the help of restoration expert Alison Gordon and the Atlanta Preservation Center to oversee the renovation. “It’s very exciting to be part of something so deeply linked to the history of Atlanta,” Notrica said.
Despite ongoing renovations, the property has already been listed for sale at $3 million. Real estate broker Danny Glusman explained that the goal is to find a buyer who will continue the preservation project.
The 135-year-old building served as a Coca-Cola bottling plant until 1901, when the company relocated its operations to Spring Street. The property stands as a landmark in the area, witnessing significant events in Atlanta’s history, including the Civil Rights Movement and the 1906 Atlanta race massacre.
Asa Griggs Candler played a pivotal role in Atlanta’s economic development. In 1888, he acquired the formula for a carbonated beverage created by John Stith Pemberton for $2,300. Just four years later, sales had increased tenfold.
Between 1894 and 1895, Candler oversaw the national expansion of Coca-Cola, opening the first plant outside of Atlanta in Dallas, Texas, followed by locations in Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California. “Coca-Cola is now consumed in every state and territory of the United States,” Candler announced at the time.
For Coca-Cola enthusiasts visiting Atlanta, the World of Coca-Cola is another must-see destination. The 4,000-square-meter complex features a museum and a functioning bottling plant, showcasing the company’s history worldwide.
Attracting over one million visitors annually, the experience includes a working bottling line, audiovisual presentations, exhibits of popular culture featuring works by Andy Warhol, Steve Penley, and Norman Rockwell, and thousands of Coca-Cola artifacts. The tour culminates in a tasting of over 70 Coca-Cola products from around the globe. Tickets can be purchased online starting at $23.
