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 southwest corner of Avenue G and South Main.
In 1909, everyone was getting cars and many companies were making them to fill the demand. On Feb. 3, 1909, there was a state charter issued for $100,000 in capital stock for the St. Joe Motor Car Co. to move from Elkhart, Indiana, to Hutchinson and start manufacturing autos.
George White built a two-story, cement-block building along the Missouri-Pacific rail line. It was to be named the Sellers Motor Car Company after O.G. Sellers. H.C. Shoemaker was the engineer and superintendent.
On June 12, 1909, the first cars hit the streets. They made two models, a roadster and a touring car at $1,500. The company made high-quality, 35-horsepower, four-cylinder cars with a full-floating rear axle.
The first photo shows the plant at 705 S. Main at opening.
The second photo shows the machining shop.
The third photo shows the trimming department about 1910.
The investors eventually lost their money when it closed in 1912 because they couldn't compete with eastern manufacturers (like Henry Ford's production line).
The fourth photo shows the property today with a brick warehouse on it, owned by Midwest Iron Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri.
To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Gambino's Pizza
Sleep Shoppe & Furniture Gallery
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
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