In June of 1903 L. G. Crosby became sole owner of the new Pensacola Coca Cola franchise. In September of that year he produced the first bottle of Coca Cola in the Pensacola plant.
By 1924 Crosby had succeeded in running this competitors out of business and was the only bottling plant in the Pensacola area. In March of 1924, he sold the plant to Charles V. Rainwater and J. H. Edmondson. The name was changed to Hygeia Coca Cola Bottling Works, and long range plans were established by the new owners.
In 1936 C. V. Rainwater saw the need for a larger more modern plant, so he purchased property on Palafox St. and built a new Coca Cola plant.
By December of 1937, C. V. Rainwater’s son, Crawford, came to Pensacola. The decision to build another plant in DeFuniak Springs was made. Construction began in February of 1941 and was completed in October 1941. The Coca Cola Company in DeFuniak Springs made a place for itself, and built a good business over the years. October 15, 1975 was the last day the bottling operation worked in DeFuniak. After that it was bottled in Pensacola and transported to DeFuniak Springs for distribution.
Harry Robinson was the first manager from 1941 [until] 1946. Then R. M. “Shine” Sawyer until he retired in the early 70s making him the longest serving manager. Then Bob Vining was manager until he retired on June 30, 1975. John Poss moved to DeFuniak Springs and became manager after Bob. John managed the plant until it closed in 1979. John went to Pensacola for a year before returning to DeFuniak Springs to manage the sales center in Valparaiso. He retired with 38 1/2 years of service to Coca Cola in 1985 due to a back injury.
History as given by:
John and Patsy Poss
Thomason, Georgia