St. Paul / Gin-Gera / Coca-Cola Bottling Company

The St. Paul Gin-Gera Bottling Works, Inc. was incorporated on July 24, 1914(1); however, according to their 75th anniversary commemorative bottle they started in 1910. They change their name to St. Paul Bottling Company, Inc. on May 22, 1916 (2), I guess they didn't bottle Gin-Gera very long. Melvin C. Matthews is president, James M. Dickenson is Secretary and Treasurer(3), by 1947 J. F. Matthews is manager of the company. It's franchise territory covered Russell, Dickenson, and part of Wise County as of 1928.(3)

I have not been able to find the date that the company ceased operations; however, it doesn't appear to be operating now. The Building still stands near what appears to be a park just off of the main road in St. Paul. I was skeptical at first as to whether or not this was actually the bottling plant. Then I spotted the sign on the side of the building "Drink Coca Cola", and the bricked up garage doors helped in proving to me that I had found the right building.
The building that once housed this company

From the collection of Phillip A. Townsend, photo by owner
Very early St. Paul bottling company bottle
Part of a Gin-Gera bottle from St. Paul, VA
Sales receipt from the St. Paul Coca-Cola Bottling Company from 1932






6oz Coca-Cola soda water style bottle






6oz "Pat'd Nov. 15, 1915" Coca Cola bottle






6oz "Pat'd Dec. 25, 1923" Coca Cola Bottle dated 1934






From the collection of Frank Anderson, photo by Joseph Lee
7oz Lonesome Pine Beverages Bottle dated 1949






6oz "Pat. D-105529" Coca Cola Bottle dated 1949






From the collection of Frank Anderson, photo by Joseph Lee
7oz Lonesome Pine Beverages Bottle dated 1952 an aqua glass variation.






6oz "Trademark in Patent Office" bottle dated 1954






From the collection of Frank Anderson, photo by Joseph Lee
8 3/4 oz Lonesome Pine Beverages Bottle from St. Paul, VA dated 1954






Lonesome Pine Beverages bottles from St. Paul, VA, the 9 oz on the left is dated 1963 while the 10 oz on the right is dated 1970.






10oz 75th anniversary bottle dated 1985


This page is only part of a much larger site. To see the rest then just click TAZEWELL-ORANGE.COM
Bibliography:

(1) "Annual Report of the Secretary of the Commonwealth to the Governor and General Assembly of Virginia" published 1915

(2) "Annual Report of the Secretary of the Commonwealth to the Governor and General Assembly of Virginia" published 1917

(3) "University of Virginia Record Extension Series: An Economic & Social Survey of Wise County" By Ralph Emerson Kennedy May 1928