A landmark on U.S. Route 11, the Winchester Coca-Cola Bottling Works was constructed in 1940 and opened in 1941. Functioning as both a bottling and distribution center until 1977, it then turned solely to distribution until its closure in 2006. Featuring the instantly recognizable Coca-Cola trademark on its façade, the building recalls Coca-Cola’s legendary role in the development of mass marketing and distribution, resulting in one of the most popular consumer products worldwide during the 20th century. Economically important to the region, the Winchester plant evolved as the company consolidated its production facilities nationwide over time. The plant’s first manager, Ellis Harbaugh, who held the post until his death in 1952, was succeeded by Henry Lowry, who remained for over 30 years, overseeing its transition to a distribution facility. The testimony of former employees recalls the camaraderie and loyalty workers felt for each other and the company’s operation in Winchester.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Programs
DHR has secured permanent legal protection for over 700 historic places - including 15,000 acres of battlefield lands
DHR has erected 2,532 highway markers in every county and city across Virginia
DHR has registered more than 3,317 individual resources and 613 historic districts
DHR has engaged over 450 students in 3 highway marker contests
DHR has stimulated more than $4.2 billion dollars in private investments related to historic tax credit incentives, revitalizing communities of all sizes throughout Virginia