The Nehi Bottling Company was established as a franchise bottler in Lexington around 1930. The company’s plant was located at 638 East Third Street. Robert D. and Robert F. Head were the owners. Their products included Chero Cola[1] and Royal Crown Ginger Ale. In 1935, the company introduced Royal Crown Cola.[i]
In 1948 the company was renamed the Royal Crown Bottling Company of Lexington, with its plant relocated to 211 East Second Street. At this time, the firm was a company bottler.[ii]
Nehi Cola, crown top, circa 1940s
Royal Crown, crown top, circa 1940s
Chero Cola, crown top, circa 1940s
Upper 10, Crown Top, circ 1950s
Advertisement, 1950
Advertisement, 1953
[1] The Union Bottling Works of Columbus, Georgia, was established in 1905. They produced the Royal Crown brands of ginger ale and strawberry soda. In 1912, they changed their name to Chero-Cola Company with the introduction of Chero-Cola. In 1928 and 1965, the company was renamed Nehi Corporation and Royal Crown Cola Company, respectively. In 1966, W. T. Young of Lexington became the Chairman of the Board. In 1914, Coca Cola Company filed suit against the company for trademark violations for the use of the name cola. In 1944, the Royal Crown Company finally won the suit. Cola was recognized as a generic name. This was the first time Coca Cola had lost.
[i] Lexington City Directory for 1930 and 1945 and Lexington Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, March 9, 1940, page 2, column 3 – 4.
[ii] Lexington City Directory for 1948 and 1952.
