ROXA KOLA BOTTLING WORKS / SMITH BROTHERS BOTTLING / SMITH BOTTLING WORKS

On April 17, 1915 the Roxa Kola Bottling Works of Rock, W. VA. Purchased a Carbonator, Charging Outfit, Bottle Washer, and Percolator.(2) It appears that they were trying to equip a new plant, on July 8, 1915 they purchased more equipment (2), so its safe to say that the Roxa Kola Bottling Works started operations in 1915. Roxa Kola was the creation of G. L. Wainscott of Winchester, KY in 1906 (3), Wainscott would later be known as the creator of Kentucky’s most famous soda Ale-8-one, the brand that his company still produces today.(2) I’m not sure if the Smith Brothers of Smith Brothers Bottling, and later Smith Bottling Works, were the ones who were bottling Roxa Kola; however, the article by James & Nancy Bailey suggests that the Smith Brothers founded the plant, so it’s possible. Smith Bottling Works is listed in the 1923 and 1925 Beverage Blue Book; however, of course the Rock Bottling Company(?) is listed in the 1930 edition.(4) The Bailey’s claim that it was the Smith Brothers who sold the company to the Northfork Coca-Cola Bottling Company (1), which would put this company’s end around 1929.

light green Roxa-Kola Bottling Works bottle from Rock, W. VA.

Blue Roxa-Kola Bottling Works bottle from Rock, W. VA.

Roxa-Kola Bottling Works bottle from Rock, W. VA.

King Cola from Smith Bros. Bottling Works Rock, W. VA.

6oz Smith Bottling Company bottle. One thing I found interesting is the bottom of this bottle which seems to mimic the K. B. Co. embossed on the Keystone Bottling Company bottles.

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