Ford autos could be bought in Riverside as early as 1904

In a previous article, I wrote about how one ingenious citrus plant operator utilized his Model T Ford to "conserve the day" by powering his citrus sorting device so he might process the crop and get it to market. As a relatively new member of Riverside's Orange Blossom Model A Club, I own a 1931 Model A Ford and have actually marveled at its simplicity and ruggedness.

With such a vital part of Americana on our roadways every day, and the reality that Riverside was when the wealthiest town per-capita in the country, I then started to wonder: How far back in Riverside's history could we go and be able to buy a Ford vehicle here in the area? The answer, rather remarkably, is 1904.

The 1904 date definitely precedes the Model A (1928-1931) and the preferred Model T (1908-1927), and goes back to the earliest days of regular, non-assembly line Ford production.

However readers shouldn't think about buying a car in 1904 like the way we do it today-- no big car dealerships filled with parked cars and trucks. At that time, cars were offered through representatives, and the buyer would be lucky if he had attempted one out prior to acquiring the maker.

In Riverside, there was a male named Harry Hawes, who owned the Riverside Music Company on Main Street in between 6th and 7th (now Mission Inn Avenue) streets. He likewise sold sewing makers and other garment-related machines. In December 1904, he ended up being the first Riverside agent of the Ford Motor Company.

Every now and then, regional managers would concern the representative's business and bring two or three vehicles with them. They would put the lorries on display and individuals could pertain to see them, being in them and try them out (i.e. a test drive). That did a lot to stimulate sales.

It may appear strange to us today to purchase a cars and truck possibly sight unseen, however it wasn't back then. The vehicle was a maker to be driven, not to be elegant. In most circumstances, the seats were not adjustable, the guiding wheel did not tilt, and vehicles were al fresco, that is, not enclosed. There truly wasn't a lot that might be done to them throughout the building and construction stage, although they could be modified afterward.

After Hawes, a few other individuals acted as agents for the Ford Motor Company in Riverside. The first dealer, as we may think of them, might have been begun by Glenn Calkins. In 1912, he took control of the old Crescent Garage on 8th Street, in between Lemon and Lime streets, and began what he described a Ford distributorship. That year, he received 45 cars as his allocation, and sold out so quickly that he needed to purchase another allotment. Glen Calkins' operation was later sold to three men: Warren, Anderson, and Johnson, who began Warren-Anderson Ford (Johnson being the junior partner, he was not listed). That dealer was in business for several years and was later sold to Rick Fritts and today is Fritts Ford.

If you have an idea for a future Back in the Day column about a local historic person, location or occasion, contact Steve Lech and Kim Jarrell Johnson at backinthedaype@gmail.com..