Coca-Cola Bottling Corporation
Also known as: Coca-Cola Bottling Works
Why it's listed
Built in 1938 at 1507 Dana Avenue in Cincinnati's Evanston area, this former Coca-Cola bottling plant combines a polished office front with a working factory. The two-story Art Moderne section is faced with Indiana limestone and centered on a fluted three-story shaft that holds the main entrance. Behind it stand a one-story brick bottling and warehouse block and a 1967 rear addition, together covering more than 150,000 square feet on nearly seven acres beside the railroad. Inside, a circular two-story lobby has terrazzo floors, marlite marble and olive wood paneling, and two semi-circular staircases. A mural signed by John Holmer, Jr. in 1938 shows people enjoying Coca-Cola at local leisure spots alongside scenes of plant workers. Architect John Henri Deeken designed the building. It was listed for its architecture. Its streamlined look and smooth materials were meant to convey a clean, efficient, automated production process. The lobby survives largely intact from that period.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the plant is an exceptionally significant, locally distinctive example of Art Moderne architecture with Art Deco detailing applied to an industrial building. Its streamlined design was chosen to project an image of a modern, efficient, automated operation. The intact two-story lobby and its 1938 mural by John Holmer, Jr. add to its importance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 87000985, listed July 2, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1507 Dana Ave., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | July 2, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000985 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1938 |
| Architect / builder | John Henri Deeken |
| Architectural style | Art Moderne, with Art Deco detailing |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Bottling production stopped on August 1, 1986, and some machinery was being moved to a new Coca-Cola plant on Duck Creek Road. The form says a new owner would rearrange the warehouse areas for its own use. Condition is listed as excellent and altered. |
| Acreage | 6.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.14642, -84.47382 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 87000985.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5139064
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.