SEVEN-UP BOTTLING COMPANY

The 7-UP Bottling Company of Richlands, VA started it's operations September 1, 1946, with A. E. Anderson, who was from Bristol, as owner, and Hubert Rogers as plant superintendent.(1) The plant was where Burger King is now. According to the bottle evidence I have found they seem to still be in operation as of 1962; however, I don't have any more information than that. Aside from 7-UP they also bottled Mission Beverages (a flavor line), Grapette (a grape drink), and Mr. Cola which was of course a cola.

This is the location of the bottling company. You can see the screen of the drive in theater in the background. Take notice of the fire hydrant in the very bottom of the picture, using Google maps street view I found this same hydrant in front of Burger King, and the mountain in the background matches.

First 7-Up ad from Richlands News Press 1946

9oz Mission Beverages bottle dated 1947

A Mission Orange ad from Clinch Valley News 1948

7oz Seven Up bottle dated 1950

7-Up ad from Clinch Valley News 1948

9oz Mission Beverages bottle dated 1953.

7-Up ad from The Honaker Press July 6, 1950

7oz Seven Up bottle dated 1953

A 7-UP crate from Richlands, VA

7oz Grapette bottle dated 1956. A perfect example of how ordering bottles from different glass makers ended up making for interesting variations. This bottle has a straight slope shoulder and has "Grapette Bottling Company Richlands, VA" on the back acl, while the one below has a slight indented ring around the shoulder and has "Seven-Up Grapette Bottling Company Inc. Richlands, VA" on the back.

7oz Grapette bottle dated 1956.

Mission Beverages ad from Clinch Valley News June 25,1948

16oz "Mr" Cola bottle dated 1961

7oz 7-UP bottle dated 1961

It looks as though the Seven-Up Bottling Company of Richlands, VA was distributing Budweiser beer as this "Souvenir of Richlands, VA" Budweiser salt shaker will attest to. I have only seen that "Souvenir of blank" tampo sticker on Seven Up product bottles, and or associated with Seven-Up bottlers, which makes me sure that is what is going on here. Now if I can only find one of the Seven-Up salt shakers with the same tampo.

16oz "Mr" Cola bottle undated

10oz Sun Burst bottle dated 1964

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