Coke celebrates 130 years

Coca-Cola and Atlanta began their iconic relationship 130 years ago when Atlanta pharmacist and former Confederate colonel Dr. John Pemberton sold the elixir at Jacob’s Pharmacy.

Before coming to Atlanta, Dr. Pemberton began formulating the recipe at a drugstore in Columbus, Georgia, as a wine. After Atlanta enacted prohibition laws, he was forced to create a non-alcoholic version and marketed it as a medicine.

Prior to his death in 1888, he sold the company to a number of businessmen, including a share to Atlanta businessman Asa G. Candler, who later expanded the beloved company into a worldwide brand.

– Emily Tracy, The 100 Companies