Asa Griggs Candler
Encyclopedia
Asa Griggs Candler was an American business tycoon who made his fortune selling Coca-Cola
. He also served as the 44th Mayor
of Atlanta, Georgia
from 1916 to 1919. Candler Field, the site of the present-day Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
, was named after him, as is Candler Park
in Atlanta.
. He started his business career as a drugstore
owner and manufacturer of patent medicines. In 1887 he bought the formula for Coca-Cola from its inventor John Pemberton
and several other share-holders for $2,300. The success of Coca-Cola was largely due to Candler's aggressive marketing
of the product. Candler made millions of dollars from his investment, allowing him to establish the Central Bank and Trust
Corp., invest in real estate, and became a major philanthropist for the Methodist Church. He gave $1 million plus a land gift to Emory University
, at that time a Methodist college, for the school to move from Oxford, Georgia
, to Atlanta. This gift was influenced by Asa's younger brother, Methodist Bishop Warren Akin Candler
, who became president of Emory. Candler also gave millions to what would later become Emory Hospital. The school's original library which now houses classrooms and a reading room is named for him, as well as endowed chairs in the school's chemistry department. He also donated the land for Candler Park
.
In 1906 he completed Atlanta's then-tallest building, the Candler Building, whose intricately detailed 17 stories still stands at Peachtree and Auburn. In 1912 the Candler Building in New York opened.
Candler was elected mayor of Atlanta in 1916 (taking office in 1917) and ended his day-to-day management of the Coca-Cola Company. As mayor he balanced the city budget and coordinated rebuilding efforts after the Great Atlanta fire of 1917
destroyed 1,500 homes. In 1919 he gave most of the stock in The Coca-Cola Company
to his children, who later sold it to a group of investors led by Ernest Woodruff
. In 1922 he donated over 50 acres (202,343 m²) of his Druid Hills
holdings to the City of Atlanta for what became Candler Park. Candler suffered a stroke
in 1926 and died on March 12, 1929. He is buried at Westview Cemetery
in southwest Atlanta.
The Candler Field Museum in Williamson, GA has been established to commemorate the original Candler Field airport.
Asa Candler was also a philanthropist, endowing numerous schools and universities as well as the Candler Hospital in Savannah, GA.
, built 1902-4, still stands as a private home.
The mansion at 1428 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Druid Hills
, built 1916 eventually became St. John Chrysostom Melkite Greek Catholic Church
.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
. He also served as the 44th Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
from 1916 to 1919. Candler Field, the site of the present-day Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport , known locally as Atlanta Airport, Hartsfield Airport, and Hartsfield–Jackson, is located seven miles south of the central business district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States...
, was named after him, as is Candler Park
Candler Park
Candler Park is a 55-acre city park located at 585 Candler Park Drive NE, in Atlanta, Georgia. It is named after Coca-Cola magnate Asa Griggs Candler, who donated this land to the city in 1922...
in Atlanta.
Life and career
Candler was born in Villa Rica, GeorgiaVilla Rica, Georgia
Villa Rica is a city in Carroll and Douglas Counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 4,134 at the 2000 census. By the 2010 census, the population had grown to 13,956. The estimated growth was around 211.34%...
. He started his business career as a drugstore
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
owner and manufacturer of patent medicines. In 1887 he bought the formula for Coca-Cola from its inventor John Pemberton
John Pemberton
John Stith Pemberton was a Confederate veteran and an American druggist, and is best known for being the inventor of Coca-Cola.-Early life:...
and several other share-holders for $2,300. The success of Coca-Cola was largely due to Candler's aggressive marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
of the product. Candler made millions of dollars from his investment, allowing him to establish the Central Bank and Trust
Central Bank and Trust (Atlanta)
The Central Bank and Trust Corp. was a bank founded in 1906 by Coca-Cola co-founder Asa Griggs Candler. It had its headquarters in the Candler Building in Downtown Atlanta.In 1922 it was merged into Citizens & Southern National Bank....
Corp., invest in real estate, and became a major philanthropist for the Methodist Church. He gave $1 million plus a land gift to Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
, at that time a Methodist college, for the school to move from Oxford, Georgia
Oxford, Georgia
Oxford is a city in Newton County, Georgia, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,892. It is the location of Oxford College of Emory University. The entire town is also designated as a shrine of the United Methodist Church. Additionally, Confederate soldiers are...
, to Atlanta. This gift was influenced by Asa's younger brother, Methodist Bishop Warren Akin Candler
Warren Akin Candler
Warren Akin Candler was an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, elected in 1898. He was the tenth president of Emory University.-Early life:...
, who became president of Emory. Candler also gave millions to what would later become Emory Hospital. The school's original library which now houses classrooms and a reading room is named for him, as well as endowed chairs in the school's chemistry department. He also donated the land for Candler Park
Candler Park
Candler Park is a 55-acre city park located at 585 Candler Park Drive NE, in Atlanta, Georgia. It is named after Coca-Cola magnate Asa Griggs Candler, who donated this land to the city in 1922...
.
In 1906 he completed Atlanta's then-tallest building, the Candler Building, whose intricately detailed 17 stories still stands at Peachtree and Auburn. In 1912 the Candler Building in New York opened.
Candler was elected mayor of Atlanta in 1916 (taking office in 1917) and ended his day-to-day management of the Coca-Cola Company. As mayor he balanced the city budget and coordinated rebuilding efforts after the Great Atlanta fire of 1917
Great Atlanta fire of 1917
The Great Atlanta Fire of 1917 began just after noon on Monday, May 21 and was finally extinguished by 10 PM. Destroyed were 300 acres , including nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and churches, and 10,000 people were displaced. There was only one fatality, a woman who suffered a heart attack after...
destroyed 1,500 homes. In 1919 he gave most of the stock in The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational beverage corporation and manufacturer, retailer and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. The company is best known for its flagship product Coca-Cola, invented in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in Columbus, Georgia...
to his children, who later sold it to a group of investors led by Ernest Woodruff
Ernest Woodruff
Ernest Woodruff was an important businessman in the U.S. city of Atlanta.-Biography:Woodruff was born in Columbus, Georgia, USA...
. In 1922 he donated over 50 acres (202,343 m²) of his Druid Hills
Druid Hills, Georgia
Druid Hills is a community which includes both a census-designated place in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, as well as a neighborhood of the city of Atlanta. The CDP's population was 14,568 at the 2010 census...
holdings to the City of Atlanta for what became Candler Park. Candler suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 1926 and died on March 12, 1929. He is buried at Westview Cemetery
Westview Cemetery
Westview Cemetery, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is the largest cemetery in the South East, comprising over , 50% of which is undeveloped. Westview includes the graves of more than 100,000 people.- History:...
in southwest Atlanta.
The Candler Field Museum in Williamson, GA has been established to commemorate the original Candler Field airport.
Asa Candler was also a philanthropist, endowing numerous schools and universities as well as the Candler Hospital in Savannah, GA.
Mansions
The Candler home Callan Castle in Inman ParkInman Park
Inman Park was planned in the late 1880s by Joel Hurt, a civil engineer and real-estate developer who intended to create a rural oasis connected to the city by the first of Atlanta's electric streetcar lines. The East Atlanta Land Company acquired and developed more than 130 acres east of the city...
, built 1902-4, still stands as a private home.
The mansion at 1428 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Druid Hills
Druid Hills, Georgia
Druid Hills is a community which includes both a census-designated place in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, as well as a neighborhood of the city of Atlanta. The CDP's population was 14,568 at the 2010 census...
, built 1916 eventually became St. John Chrysostom Melkite Greek Catholic Church
Melkite Greek Catholic Church
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See as part of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Melkites, Byzantine Rite Catholics of mixed Eastern Mediterranean and Greek origin, trace their history to the early Christians of Antioch, Syria, of...
.
Children
- Asa's eldest son, Charles Howard Candler (1878–1957), was chairman of the board of trustees of Emory UniversityEmory UniversityEmory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
. His family estate was Callanwolde on Briarcliff RoadBriarcliff RoadMoreland Avenue is a major city street that runs from southeast of Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and then along its eastern border. Upon crossing Ponce de Leon Avenue, it becomes Briarcliff Road, which is also an arterial road and runs past the Atkins Park and Virginia Highland neighborhoods of Atlanta,...
in Druid HillsDruid Hills, GeorgiaDruid Hills is a community which includes both a census-designated place in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, as well as a neighborhood of the city of Atlanta. The CDP's population was 14,568 at the 2010 census...
, now a fine arts center. - The second son, Asa G. Candler, Jr.Asa G. Candler, Jr.Asa Griggs "Buddy" Candler, Jr. was the eccentric son of Asa Griggs Candler, co-founder of Coca-Cola. Candler, Jr. helped build his father's business into an empire. He later became a real-estate developer, opening the Briarcliff Hotel at the corner of Ponce de Leon Avenue and N. Highland Ave...
(1880–1953), eccentric, alcoholic and depressed, became a real-estate developer, opening the Briarcliff HotelBriarcliff HotelThe Briarcliff Hotel, now the Briarcliff Summit, is located at 1050 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE in the Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia....
. His Briarcliff mansion and estate - also on Briarcliff Road in Druid Hills - was turned into an alcohol rehab center, then a psychiatric hospital, and is now Emory's Briarcliff campus. Asa Jr.'s menagerie of animals enabled a major expansion of Zoo AtlantaZoo AtlantaZoo Atlanta is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1889, the Zoo is Atlanta’s oldest cultural destination and is one of the oldest continuously operating zoological institutions in the United States.Zoo Atlanta houses over 1,300 animals...
in the 1930s. - Third son, Walter T. Candler (1885–1967), businessman, philanthropist, and horse sportsman. His Lullwater Estate is now the residence of the Emory President, a park, and land used for the Veterans' Administration complex in Druid Hills.
- Only daughter Lucy (1882-1962) became Lucy Beall Candler Owens Heinz LeideLucy Beall Candler Owens Heinz LeideLucy Beall Candler Owens Heinz Leide was the only daughter of Coca-Cola co-founder Asa Griggs Candler.In 1903, Lucy married her first husband William Davies Owens, who would become an assistant cashier at Central Bank and Trust, the bank that Asa Candler started in 1905...
. Her husband, banker and KiwanisKiwanisKiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current membership is 240,000 members in 7,700 clubs in 80 nations...
president Henry Heinz was shot by a burglar in their mansion, Rainbow TerraceRainbow TerraceRainbow Terrace, now Lullwater Estate, is the Mediterranean-style Atlanta mansion built for Lucy Beall Candler Owens Heinz , daughter of Coca-Cola co-founder Asa Griggs Candler. The architect was G. Lloyd Preacher, the architect of Atlanta City Hall...
, in 1943, though rumours persisted that a relative murdered him. She later married Atlanta Symphony OrchestraAtlanta Symphony OrchestraThe Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Robert Spano has been its music director since 2001...
conductor Enrico LeideEnrico LeideEnrico Leide was a concert cellist and orchestra conductor, conducting the first Atlanta Symphony Orchestra from 1920 to 1930. He was the brother of violinist and composer Manoah Leide-Tedesco. He was the third husband of Lucy Beall Candler Owens Heinz Leide , daughter of Coca-Cola founder Asa...
.
See also
- Warren Akin CandlerWarren Akin CandlerWarren Akin Candler was an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, elected in 1898. He was the tenth president of Emory University.-Early life:...
, for whom Emory's Candler School of TheologyCandler School of TheologyCandler School of Theology, Emory University, is one of 13 seminaries of the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1914, the school was named after Warren Akin Candler, a former President and Chancellor of Emory University and a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South...
is named. - Samuel Candler Dobbs