By 1910 West Concord was boasting about how many automobile owners there were in town. The logical next step for the young town would be establishing a garage business to take care of those autos’ needs and sell cars, too.
Last month my readers learned that in 1903 W.M. Randall returned from St. Paul with the very first auto to be owned in West Concord. It comes as no surprise then that Mr. Randall, in 1908, was the first to put in garage space on Main Street. He added an addition to the rear of his building, put in a cement floor, and used it for an auto garage. Three years later Mr. Randall erected a new garage, 70 x 32 feet. The WC Enterprise reported, “It will be strictly fireproof, built in a very substantial manner, and a credit to the town.” Soon Mr. Randall was reported to be in the Twin Cities buying machines and supplies for his new garage. In June of 1911 the new garage was open for business.
Less than a year later the Stinson Brothers of Minneapolis, expert auto machinists according to the Enterprise, closed a deal to lease the Randall garage.The newspaper reported, “They intend to install considerable up-to-date machinery for auto repairing of every kind.”
The Stinson Garage first operated during a time of transition. In those days they were selling both cars and horses. In 1915 this ad appeared: “For sale cheap—good driving mare—call at the garage.” Here’s another from a 1916 Enterprise: “For Sale: one good team, one two year old colt, one three year old colt, one good Surrey. Inquire at Stinson’s Garage.”
Lost and Found ads like these were frequent. “Lost: 2 auto side curtains of my Ford between Concord and Tom Jones’ farm. Finder please return to Stinson’s or Perry Matti.” “Rear Oakland automobile door lost between West Concord and Kenyon. If found, notify Stinson’s.” “Auto headlight lost—leave at Stinson’s.” “Two tires lost between West Concord and Dodge Center, notify Stinson’s.” And yet, there were other lost and found ads that were evidence that not everyone was driving an automobile.
Here’s one: “A string of sleigh bells lost—return to Stinson’s.”
It amazes me what a hub of activity Stinson’s was. Furniture was for sale there. The West Concord Base Ball club was asked to bring their suits and other sporting property to Stinson’s to be stored for the next season. When Mr. Simpson, attorney in West Concord, decided to be a candidate for Dodge County Probate Judge, Stinson’s was where Mr. Simpson’s boosters gathered before making a trip throughout the county to promote his candidacy.
In July of 1918 the West Concord Garage Co. incorporated with the express purpose of building a new large garage on the corner of Main and Front streets, where the parking lot for the Municipal Liquor Store is now. The president of the corporation was W.G. Stinson, the secretary, attorney C.D. Simpson, the treasurer, Enterprise Editor, A.E. Pennell, and directors, A. J. Wilson, L.C. Fairbank, and H. L. Hansen.
In August of 1918 the Enterprise described the plans for the new garage this way:
“The building will be built of brick, 66 x 122 feet, two stories high and be equipped with all modern appliances. It will contain two driveways, one on Main and one on Front Street, will have large and well lighted show rooms, a stock room, lobby, private office, a ladies waiting room, wash rack, and extra large workshop in rear of the building. W.G. Stinson will occupy it, and have full charge.” That was a plan for a deluxe building.
By February 1919 the new garage was ready. The Enterprise reported that it was the “most up-to-date and commodious garage in Dodge County. The finishing touches are not yet completed, but in a week or two the spacious show rooms will be ready for the display of cars for which Mr. Stinson is agent.” In May of 1919 this praise was added, “Stinson Garage is finished—the peer of any in Dodge County, a handsome structure that presents a very imposing appearance, and of which we all are justly proud.”
You could purchase Oakland, Overland, Buick, and Ford automobiles at Stinson’s through the years. You could also stop by to listen to the latest jazz hits on their Claxtonola phonograph. Even though auto insurance wasn’t mandatory in Minnesota until years later, you were invited to stop by Stinson’s and discuss the Auto Insurance Association of America. You likely wanted to purchase some of Stinson’s accessories, too. The Boyce Moto-Meter was very popular. Installing it on your car meant you could check the engine’s temperature without leaving the driver’s seat. Engine over-heating was a major problem. You might also want to purchase a lock for your car. In the early days, straight out of the factory, most autos didn’t have locking mechanisms.
In 1927 the Enterprise announced that Mr. Stinson’s garage was going to be taken over by Iver Uleberg who would be an agent for Chevrolet cars. W.G. Stinson was moving his goods and fixtures to the Zamboni Building, at the corner of Main and Mantorville streets in Kasson. He and his wife would keep their residence in West Concord.
We can only speculate about why Mr.Stinson moved his business to Kasson. It may be that the competition was too much in West Concord. One of Stinson’s former employees, Lloyd Blaisdell, who came to work at Stinson’s garage in 1916 at the age of 19, by now had his own successful garage/dealership in West Concord. Reed and Pirkl and Iver Uleberg did, too.
On August 6, 1928, just a bit more than a year after W.G. moved his garage business to Kasson, he suffered a stroke while at work. He was taken home and died that very day. He was only 49. Today we might remember him as the “father” of garages/dealerships in West Concord. His garage has been demolished for some time and the Municipal Liquor Store parking lot has taken its place, but we remain grateful for the pioneering efforts of W.G. Stinson, as autos became a way of life in West Concord and most everywhere.
