Timeline of events surrounding the rise and fall of the Mifflinburg Body Company

Year
Event
Source
1897
The Mifflinburg Buggy Company founded by  Alfred A. Hopp, Harry F. Blair, and Robert S. Gutelius on Walnut Street in Mifflinburg..  Manufactures buggies and sleighs.  The Mifflinburg Buggy Company is one of a dozen buggy manufacturers in Mifflinburg.
1 p 39
1911
The Mifflinburg Body and Gear Company organized by Horace Orwig.    Manufactures ".. a full line of Bodies, Seats and Gears..."
"We will make a specialty of  Automobile Bodies and will also make special works to order.  Tell us what we can do for you."
1 p 42, 47
1911
First building constructed at Eighth Street and Walnut by the Body and Gear Company.
 Later known as "Building #1".  Note wood framed windows.
2 p 27
1916
Body and Gear Company purchased by  Robert Gutelius and William F. Sterling of the Buggy Company. 
Operations integrated into the Buggy Company.
2 p 27
1917
The Mifflinburg Body Company formed by the restructuring of the Body Company by its partners.   William F. Sterling is President.
2 p 28
1919
Building #1 expanded at Eighth Street plant
2 p 28
1922
Building #2 constructed at Eighth Street plant.  Steel framed windows.
2 p 30
1923
Durant Motors introduces the first production station wagon: the Star Station Wagon
4 p 14
1924
Steel warehouse added
2 p 30
1926
Building #2 expanded
2 p 30
1928-1929
Best production years: 20 bodies per day.  Company annual sales approximately $1,000,000.
2 p 29
1929
Ford Motor Company introduces their own "Woody" station wagon on the Model A.
5 p 44
1929
Berry Brothers still produces buggies.  May be the last buggy manufacturer in Mifflinburg.
6
1933
Body Company splits production line into 1/2 auto bodies and 1/2 furniture
6
1940-1942
Bankruptcy proceedings.  In 1942 company sold to American Bowling Alley Company of New York.
2 p 29
1942
Monday, November 30, 1942 Public Auction for sale of machinery and property of the Mifflinburg Body Company
7
1943
Name changed to Mifflinburg Body Works
2 p 29
1945
New product announcement stated "...pool tables, bowling alleys, shuffle boards, toy cars, scooters, strollers, hand trucks, warehouse trailers, prefab houses ...and radio cabinets."
2 p 29
1952
American Billiard and Bowling Company closes the Mifflinburg Body Works
6
2004
Eighth Street facility operated by Yorktowne Kitchen Company.  Products include kitchen cabinets

rev 3-4-05
 Sources:
1:  Buggy Town An Era in American Transportation by Charles M. Snyder 1984
2:  "The History of the Mifflinburg Body Works" by Randie D. Johnson, Elisabeth McKinley, and R.J. Brungraber, Antique Automobile Mar/Apl 1973
3:  Mifflinburg - A Bicentennial History by Charles M. Snyder 1992
4:  Great American Woodies and Wagons by Donald J. Narus1977
5:  Henry's Fabulous Model A by Leslie R. Henry 1959
6.  Mifflinburg Buggy Museum, e-mail Bronwen Sanders 3-4-05
7.  Advertisement for bankruptcy auction issued by W.F. Dobson, Trustee, Wilkes-Barre, PA

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