Recognize this REO Speedwagon panel delivery truck that may have rolled along the streets of York, Pa.? Also of interest: Was the Valley Inn Garage part of Springettsbury Township's old York Valley Inn? and Is this a York County farm truck or is it just a wagon with a motor? and When a Pullman automobile became a seesaw and Can York's longtime claim as 'Detroit of the East' be proven?
York countians love their wheels, from the day that Conestoga wagons, coaches and carriages rolled through her carrying freight or passengers to all compass points.
Those wagons turned into motorized vehicles after the turn of the 20th-century, and York County participated in that new day by building cars and trucks here by the thousands.
An e-mail query put before Yorktownsquare.com readers today involves a truck that apparently operated on York County roads but was made elsewhere... .
Bellefonte, Pa.'s, Chris Maney supplied a photo (above) of a REO Speedwagon delivery truck and wrote:
I am trying to trace the history of a 1936 REO Speedwagon Panel that I believe roamed the streets of York, Pennsylvania until the early 1960's. The vehicle was purchased in an estate auction held in State College, PA in October of this year.
An oil change sticker on the door jamb reads:
Chas. H. Hershner
243 W. King St.
York, Pa
The PA Inspection sticker is dated 1960.
If you can give Chris Maney an assist, please comment below.
- For all Wheels of York posts from the start, click here.
Hello Jim,
I hope that this may help the e-mailer, who wrote to you.
I remember that Hershner's Garage and Gas Station was one of the many oil company owned franchises that operated in York City when I was a child during the 1950's and 1960's. It was located on the north side of W. King St. I am not sure of the brand of gasoline sold there. During those years each city neighborhood had it's own gas station / garage as well as it's own corner grocery store. Most people patronized the garage and grocery in their neighborhood. For this reason I think that it is highly possible that the truck may have been owned by a resident or business of the neighborhood near Hershner's. By the way, although Hershner's Station has been closed for decades, the building that housed it still stands.
Best regards,
JoAnne Everhart