MUNICIPAL BUILDING

Selma’s landmark, now in disrepair, is the clock tower on the Town Hall which was constructed in 1916. On the second floor of this building was the Opera House, which was used for many years for meetings, programs, and entertainments of many kinds including the early movies.
In a preamble resolution presented by Commissioner F. M. Hood in February 1916, and approved by the board, the need for a “municipal building, guard house and mayor’s office, together with a market house and fire engine house combined” was expressed. An accompanying ordinance called for issuance of coupon bonds of $15,000 to pay for the structure. I n May when bids were opened, J. W. Stout and Co. of Sanford received the bid with instructions to complete the building not later than September 15, 1916. The next official reference to the new town hall was March 26, 1917 when Mayor Waddell upon motion of C. P. Harper was instructed to let Miss Mayerberg use the city hall for a play, “Little Minister” for a rent of 10 percent of the gross door receipts. And the mayor was authorized to appoint a committee to have charge of city hall to rent and secure shows or plays.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.
This building was demolished in 1971.

John A. Waddell House

BOTTLING COMPANY STARTS

Hayo-Cola Bottling Company had its inception in 1913 when P. C. Worley organized the business primarily to bottle Worley’s Root Beer and other flavored soft drinks. In this first company, labels for bottles were printed on a hand press and pasted to the containers; the product was delivered to stores by horse and wagon. In the fall of 1921, C. P. Worley took over the firm from his father and the name was changed to Worley’s’ Beverages. The plant equipment was updated, motorized vehicles were added and Pepsi-Cola was introduced to the line already being sold. C. P. Worley, Jr. joined the firm in 1946 and during the next ten years a complete modernization program was completed with the name changed to Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Selma, Inc. The firm now operates in parts of seven different counties. Among those who worked with the company in the early years were Tom Freeman, from 1915 to his retirement in 1956; the late John Jeffreys from 1931 to his retirement in 1959; Alvin Brown, 1924 to the present.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

Happy Easter