As the automobile quickly became an embraced fixture in American transportation during the early 1900s, it wasn't long before a booming auto industry made its way into Boone County. However, as many auto companies merged throughout the century, much of that history has been lost over time, leaving one wondering how Boone County's auto industry began.
Stan Moffitt, co-owner of Moffitt's Ford Lincoln Mercury, 1819 SE Marshall St., has been involved in the auto business since 1952. Moffitt began washing cars when he was 10 years old and by the time he was 18, he was a shop foreman.
Moffitt's Ford Lincoln Mercury is one of the oldest Ford Lincoln Mercury dealers in the United States and it will enter its 81st year of business in 2009. The name, Moffitt, became synonymous with automobiles in 1928, when Stan Moffitt's father, Herb Moffitt, began the dealership, then known as the Ogden Motor Company.
At the time, the Ogden Motor Company was primarily a Ford dealer. However, Lincoln came into the game in 1936, while Mercury was added in 1939. Aside from Fords being offered in Ogden, Moffitt recalls there being a Chevrolet dealer as well during this time period. He said Morris Sherbring operated the most recent Chevrolet dealership, which existed until 1985.
Not only were Ford and Chevrolet prevalent in Ogden, but also in Madrid during the 1950s. Moffitt is unsure of whom the Ford dealer was, but the Chevy dealership was known as Ryan Chevrolet.
"It's nice to know that small towns like Madrid and Ogden had both Ford and Chevrolet dealers at that time," Moffitt said.
In 1932, Herb Moffitt bought the Ford dealership in Boone known as Crowe Motor Company, which then became known as Hawkeye Motors.
The name, Hawkeye Motors, was kept until around 1950, when it was changed to Herb Moffitt's, Inc. Finally, in 1966, the name was changed to Moffitt's Ford Lincoln Mercury.
Herb Moffitt passed away at the age of 67, in 1966. At the time, the part-owners were Clayton Moffitt, Stan Moffitt and Kermit Anderson.
Anderson died suddenly at the age of 60, and both of the Moffitt brothers continued to operate the business.
Clayton Moffitt retired from the auto industry approximately 16 years ago. In 2002, Moffitt's Ford Lincoln Mercury made the move from 6th and Story Streets to its current location on Southeast Marshall Street, where it is operated by co-owners Moffitt and his son, Chris, who became his partner in 1988 at the age of 22.
Throughout the '40s and '50s, auto dealerships flourished near downtown Boone.
Ahrens Motor Company sold Chryslers at 9th and Keeler Streets, while Allers Motor Company offered Chrysler and Plymouth at 6th and Boone Streets. At 7th and Allen Streets, Carswell Motors dealt both DeSoto and Plymouth. Plymouths were also available from Sherman Motors, which had a car lot on Arden Street. Erickson Motor Company sold Hudsons and Packards between 7th and 8th Streets, while Petersen Motors offered Oldsmobile and Cadillac at 7th and Keeler Streets. Kaiser and Frazier automobiles could be found at the Harrell and Price dealership on 11th Street, between Boone and Greene Streets. Jeep and Nash were both offered by Vernon Body, on 6th Street. At this time, Studebakers were a popular car, which were available from Bill Ross Motors on 8th and Arden Streets. Blee-Lycke Motors sold Nash and Ramblers on the east end of Boone and the Paulson Implement sold International trucks at 8th and Benton Streets. Ecklund Farm Supply sold used cars on Allen Street. Olson Chevrolet and Buick operated at 6th and Boone Streets, while Farley's sold Pontiacs on the east side of town.
Moffitt also recalls there being a Tucker Motor Company dealership that came into Boone, under the operation of Frank Lorentzen. The franchise was purchased and seven automobiles were made. However, bankruptcy prevented the dealership from opening its doors.
Today in Boone County, there are only two dealerships, including Moffitt's Ford Lincoln Mercury and Pat Clemons Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac-GMC-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, 1720 S. Marshall St. In addition, S & H Motor Company, 1600 S. Marshall St., is the only dealership that focuses its offerings on used automobiles.
Pat Clemons, owner of Pat Clemons, Inc. Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac-GMC-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, has been involved with the industry for 33 years, since the time he was 29 years old.
Clemons' dealership traces its roots back to Olson Chevrolet and Buick, which became Volger-Nieman Chevrolet and Buick. In 1975, the Chevrolet and Buick dealership came under the ownership of Ron Willey and Pat Clemons, which was located on 6th Street.
In 1978, Clemons bought out Willey's share of the partnership. Willey now sells Fords in Ames. Clemons' current location on Marshall Street was built in 1977 and opened for business in 1979. Four additions have been implemented to the original building since 1977.
Clemons purchased Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth from Jack Nystrom in 1982. Pontiac, Oldsmobile and GMC trucks were added in 1990, after being bought from Archie Gillespie. Jeep was simply added in 1990, after Chrysler bought Jeep from the American Motors Company.
Clemons originally began his career as a Ford dealer and he said he is good friends with Moffitt and that the two of them work well together.
"We all work hard and contribute to the community," Clemons said. "It's just a very good community to do business in."
Whatever happened to all of the dealerships that once sprawled the business district of Boone? Moffitt and Clemons both seemed to have an answer.
"Consolidation and modernization of the facilities and the demise of brands were the cause of declines," Moffitt said.
Clemons explained that 25 years ago, there were about 1,000 auto dealers in Iowa and now there are slightly more than 340, due to mergers and buyouts.
"They've weeded out a lot of smaller dealers," Clemons said.
Over the past few decades, there have been numerous changes in the auto industry.
In the past, Ford dealers also sold Ford tractors, which Moffitt explained are now strictly sold at tractor dealerships.
Fifty-five years ago, Moffitt said a dollar could purchase four gallons of gasoline. Since that time, a love for big cars has diminished. Although there was a swing toward sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-up trucks in the '80s and '90s, rising gas prices have since shifted that trend.
"Present day changes have caused people to move toward smaller, more efficient vehicles," Moffitt said.
Throughout their decades of business in Boone County, both Moffitt and Clemons said they have enjoyed the friendships and relationships with Boone County and its surrounding communities.
Clemons described the community as being a "close, tight community" with a lot of repeat customers, and noted that customers aren't just customers, but friends as well.
"Our business has been good," Clemons said. "This area stays pretty stable and has been a very good community."
Moffitt said a strong community response has allowed his dealership to excel over the years.
"It's been a great relationship between Boone County and our dealership," Moffitt said. "We now have one of the finest service facilities in the Kansas City area."
Do you know of any other dealerships that were part of Boone County's auto history? If so, contact the BN-R staff.