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 SODA BOTTLES - Nehi

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Nehi Cola
NEHI, a product of Royal Crown Cola Co, had its debut in the early 1920's as part of the then Chero-Cola Company.  At the time, Chero-Cola was the feature soda line, and Nehi was introduced to provide a multi flavor drink. 

There are at least two stories circulating as to the origin of the name "Nehi". One story is that the company founder, Claude Hatcher, in the early 1920's sent one of his salesmen across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus to check out his competition in Alabama. The happy salesman returned to report that Alabama competition was only "knee-high".

The other recurring story concerns the checking of bottle samples that were being considered for the new flavor line. Most of the drinks of that era were of the 6 or 7 ounce sizes. When the tall 9 ounce Nehi sample was set beside the competitors brands, the comment was made that the smaller bottles looked "knee-high" beside their new container.

Whatever the source of the name, it and the drink bottled under that name became an immediate success and eventually far outsold Chero Cola. In 1928, the company changed its name to the Nehi Corporation.

The first bottles were the paper label and embossed variety. 

"Rope Design" Nehi embossed soda bottles have been cataloged from a time period spanning 1924 to 1955, long after the more eye-catching painted label bottles emerged on the scene.

There are two bottles sizes, a 7 oz and a 9 oz, with identical embossing. The brand name with "beverages" under it is located in the middle of the bottle, and the bottler's city name is at the base.

To follow is a list of cities found on Rope Design Nehi Cola bottles:

FLORENCE AL WINSLOW AZ SACRAMENTO CA SAN LUIS OBISPO CA WASHINGTON DC
 COLUMBUS GA SAVANNAH GA EAST CHICAGO IN FT SCOTT KS  KANSAS CITY KS
LOUISVILLE KY PADUCAH KY NAPOLEANVILLE LA NEW ORLEANS LA  WESTMINSTER MD
DETROIT MI  BILLINGS MT  ST LOUIS MO GRAND ISLAND NE  ROCHESTER NY
PORTSMOUTH OH VAN WERT OH KEYSER WV    

The first painted label bottles were introduced in the early 1940's..

Two distinctive label variations have been cataloged which have specific cities and states listed on the bottles.

The oldest painted label bottle has a red brand name on a yellow background. 7, 9, 10, and 12 ounce sizes have been noted. One generation of this bottle grouping has the name on the middle only, and the other has the name in the middle plus on the neck of the bottle. Dates from base markings range from 1940 to 1956.

The other bottle series has a white brand name on a red background. 9, 10, and 12 ounce bottles have been found in this grouping. Only two bottles from this series have cities listed. Like the oldest bottle, the brand name is in the middle only or middle and neck. Dates range from 1956 to 1965.

Values of these bottles should range from $4.00 to $8.00 to brand or cities collectors. To general collectors, the bottles have little value because of the large quantities produced.

contributed by D Hanson 10'07 regarding Billings Mt bottle

According to a friend of mine in the soda business, the Royal Crown Bottling Company in Billings was operated by a family named "Goan", I believe he said, from 1939 to 1960 approximately. When the Coca Bottling Co went out of business in Billings, the family bought the Coca Cola franchise for Billings and stopped bottling RC Cola. All the left over RC bottles and items were then shipped out of town. 
His family (Dimich) has owned the Pepsi Bottling Co in Billings, MT for many years.
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