This wonderful photograph comes from the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Color Photographs Collection in the Library of Congress.

Shot in 1940 in Natchez, Mississippi, this images captures a storefront cafe advertising a verity of cola products. On the brick fascia there are ads for Double Cola, Dr. Pepper, Royal Crown, Coca-Cola, and Orange-Crush.

This image captured my interest when I noticed two small signs in the top right of the frame that read “666 colds fever.” I was struck by this odd name for a medication. With some additional research I found that this product is still being manufactured by LEE PHARMACEUTICAL CO. Awesome: big-pharma and the devil. This world gets cooler by the day.

This photo was taken by Marion Post Wolcott working as an agent of the United States Government. Because this image was taken by an employee of the federal government, it is in the public domain. Please note that while this image exists in the public domain, the logos, colors and text on the advertisements may be trademarked. It is your responsibility to investigate any possible restriction in the use of this image.

43 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.