Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the northeast corner of East Avenue G and South Halstead.
The Detroiter Mobile Homes Mfg. Co. started in St. Louis, Michigan, right outside of Detroit, in 1947. They started by making smaller trailers like "The Traveler" with optional cabover.
As business expanded, they built a $1 million plant in Hutchinson at 400 S. Halstead and began production Sept. 1, 1959, with Thomas Fisher as general manager. The first photo shows the Detroiter Mobile Homes manufacturing plant here in Hutch at its height around 1970 when Don Kuhar was the plant manager.
The second photo shows a 1965 Traveler with optional cabover that was manufactured here.
The plant here closed in November 1985.
In 1988, the state approved purchase and remodeling of the old plant to become the Hutchinson Correctional Facility - East Unit and opened up around 1990. The third photo shows the 400 S. Halstead HCF - East Unit today. It is largely the same buildings, only with a whole lot more barbed wire around it.
To purchase a photo print, contact: sharmon5@cox.net.
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
Anchor Inn and Anchor Away