COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY OF VANSANT, VA
In the rustic backwoods that is Buchanan County, VA, on the road to Grundy, VA, there is a small community known as Vansant, VA. Sitting near the intersection of Big Prater creek and the Levisa River, is what was once a red brick building that was the Coca Cola Bottling Company. According to Maureen McClanahan, a former employee of the company, the plant had ceased bottling operations by 1972. In fact her husband, who also worked there, was tasked with tearing out the bottling equipment. She also stated that she knew that the plant was in operation as early as 1955. Mrs. McClanahan also informed me that the Vansant plant was a satellite of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Norton, VA. So far I have found three different brands that were bottled at this plant at one time, Lonesome Pine Beverages (flavor line), Coca-Cola, and Life (a 7-UP type drink).
Coca Cola of Vansant as it stands today
11oz(?) Lonesome Pine Beverages bottle dated 1953
6oz Coca Cola "in patent office" bottle dated 1953
The bottom of the 1953 bottle
6 1/2 oz Coca Cola "in patent office" bottle dated 1958
The bottom of the 1958 bottle
7oz Sparkling Life bottle dated 1964
10oz Green Lonesome Pine Beverages bottle dated 1964
10 oz Coca Cola "in patent office" bottle dated 1964
The bottom of the 1964 bottle
10oz Lonesome Pine Beverages bottle dated 1965
10 oz Coca Cola "in patent office" bottle no date
The bottom of the bottle
