The Greentown Grapevine – 2002-01, 09:01

              " Ford Home" Comes Down
to Make Wav for Clinic
The front wall goes down with gentle taps by the excavator operator. The
back end of the building can be seen beyond the equipment.
This Dicture was taken a few davs before the buildina was torn down.
This photo, taken by Greentown photographer, Ira Gibson, shows Curt
Scherer in the doorway, probably in the 1920' s. The sign says " Sales and
Service, Ford- Fordson, Cars, Trucks and Tractors".
The official name was Greentown
Auto Company, but everyone called it
the " Ford Home". That was just one
chapter in the long life of the building
which occupied a space at 11 8 South
Meridian Street, just south of the alley.
The date of construction is not known,
although from old maps we can assume
it was between 1902 and 1909. Prior to
that there was a small building on the
site which served as a jail. An old
photograph dated April 1 1 , 191 1 shows
the familiar architecture and is
prominently marked " Herman F.
Wagner Hardware, Stoves, Tinware,
Buggies, Whips, Harness, Wagons,
Farming Implements". An ad of the
period states that Mr. Wagner also sold
horses and overland automobiles.
At some later date it became Wiebers
Auto Co. and was purchased in August
1923 by Curt Scherer of Scherer Motor
Co. According to notes made by the
late Loren Walker and a Grapevine
article of November 1996, subsequent
owners or part owners were Virgil
Hickman, Hanley and Cedric Golding
( 1928), Clifton Small ( 1 940) and Ross,
Wyrick ( co- owner 1946), Estelle Small
( 1969), then Frank Conway and Jim
Gritton ( 1972). Brad Howell bought
the business in 1986. In late 1997 Brad 7
Howell Ford relocated to West Main
Street, and the old building has been
vacant since that time.
Demolition of the building took less
than a day, December 7, with clean- up
. lasting a bit longer. Also demolished
was a house on the property, on Walnut
Street. Howard Community Hospital
has announced plans to build a clinic
on the site.
Other Medical Facilities Coming1
In addition to the Howard
Community clinic, Greentoyn will see
a clinic and pharmacy on the west end
of town, as announced by St. Joseph
Hospital. During the past monih, the
house formerly occupied 6y the
Hackler family has been demolished in
preparation for this project. 3
Ladd Dental Group is making plans
for a dental office in the former Lake
City Bank building, also on West Main
Street. They are in the process of
interviewing dentists and planning
renovations.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Frank Conway was one of several
residents who stood vigil while the old
Ford building came down. Frank
worked at the facility for forty years,
from 1946 to 1986. His first job after
high school, in 1941, was at the
Greentown Auto Company. After three
years in the army he came back to the
company.
Another former employee, Dan
Lamb, was present for part of the
demolition. Dan worked at the
dealership from 1955 to 1960 and again
from 1964 to 1996.
Grapevine is Eight
The Greentown Grapevine has
completed eight years of service to the
community and to many former
residents. It enters a ninth year with
enthusiasm, believing in the value of a
local newspaper. Nearly all the 3,000
copies printed each month are picked
up by the end of the first week. We
continually hear of copies being read
and passed on to someone else, so the
total readership is immeasurable. Our
mailed subscription list now totals 120.
As always, we invite comments and
suggestions. Remember to thank our
advertisers.
Wishing all our readers a Peaceful,
Joyful, and Productive 2002,
Your Grapevine Staff