By: Mary E. Mortimer
The Bellefontaine Coca-Cola Bottling Co. operated in Bellefontaine from 1916 to the mid-1960s.
The Bellefontaine Index-Republican reported in 1916, that the Bellefontaine Coca-Cola Bottling Co had been incorporated with L.W. Arnett of Columbus as president.
The former City Bottling Works Plant was purchased and remodeled for the new business.
A few years later, the Bellefontaine Coca-Cola Bottling plant was relocated to Opera St.
During the 1920s Sylvester and Clifford Birch, of Marion, owned the Bellefontaine Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and the Marion Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Marion E. Holley took over ownership of the Bellefontaine company around 1930.
On April 1, 1939, the Daily Examiner reported that M.E. Holly had purchased the three-story Inskeep Block building at 225. W. Columbus Ave. and renamed it the “Holley Block”.
A new brick 30 x 60-foot addition was constructed at the rear of the building for the bottling plant and the front was remodeled for offices.
The company’s franchise included parts of Logan, Champaign, Union, and Hardin Counties.
Employees in 1939 were, Wendell Bird and Thomas Yarbrough, salesmen, and Francis Bourion and Harold Kent, plant workers.
The second floor housed 16 offices that were mostly occupied by tenants.
During the late 1940s and 1950s, The Hofbrau Grill was located on the west side of the building, and the We Wancha Inn youth center was located on the upper floor.
In December 1952, Holley sold the Bellefontaine Coca Cola Bottling Co. to Joseph W. Weishaupt of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The company remained in business until it closed around 1965.
The Holley Block building was destroyed by fire in January 1972.
The building was owned by former Bellefontaine Coca-Cola Bottling plant manager, Thomas Yarbrough, of Rushsylvania.
The Pentagon Bar was the only business operating in the building at the time of the fire.
Visit the Logan County History Center at 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History.
The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
