W.C. Bradley and Coca-Cola

W.C. BRADLEY AND COCA-COLA. (Side 1) W. C. Bradley was a Columbus cotton merchant, industrialist, banker, and one of the city's leading entrepreneurs. He also helped form a business syndicate with Ernest Woodruff to purchase Coca-Cola from the Candlers in 1919. This group organized a new Coca-Cola Corporation and issued its first public stock.

Bradley bought a large number of shares but also sold shares to local and out-of-state friends and fellow bankers. Bradley became Chairman of the Coca-Cola Board in 1919 and served for twenty-seven years. (Continued on other side) Erected by Historic Columbus Foundation, Inc. and The Historic Chattahoochee Commission 2015 (Side 2) (Continued from other side) Coca-Cola Board of Directors, late 1930s. W. C. Bradley sits at the head of the table as chairman with his son-in-law, D. Abbott Turner fourth from his left and Robert Woodruff, President, on his immediate left. Robert's father, Ernest Woodruff, is seated fourth from Mr. Bradley's right. Erected by Historic Columbus Foundation, Inc. and The Historic Chattahoochee Commission 2015