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journeys: more about cars | national register of historic places
Historical Societies, Museums, Car
Shows and Race Tracks Kenosha History Center Iola Old Car show Milwaukee Mile Race Track Hartford Heritage Auto Museum Road America The Miller Club
The National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the official federal list of properties significant in American history, architecture, engineering, and archaeology. Click on the links to learn more about these significant buildings in our state. Freitag's
Pure Oil Service Station C.W. "Slim" Freitag built this station for his father at a cost of $16,000 for the building and the land. The senior Freitag operated the station until his death. After Union Oil merged with Union 76, Freitag's became a 76 station. The station closed in the late 1970s. The building is not open to the public; please respect the privacy of its owners.
Harley-Davidson
Motorcycle Co. In 1903 William Harley, Art Davidson and Walt Davidson began to tinker in the shed behind the Davidson family home in Milwaukee, producing a 3-horsepower, glossy black machine. Arthur Davidson and Bill Harley had met at the Barth Manufacturing Co., where they were both employed. Arthur was a pattern maker, and Bill was an engineer. Walter Davidson was a machinist. Unlike many others who were working on motorcycle designs during this period, these three men were able to develop the right internal dimensions for a reliable engine, leading to a successful product. Ole Evinrude, who lived nearby, added his expertise on carburetors. Production was initially slow. In 1904, only three machines were sold. In 1907, the company incorporated and by 1908 mass-produced 450 cycles a year. Until 1947, the buildings at this location housed all Harley-Davidson operations. In that year, assembly production moved from the Milwaukee site to a new plant in suburban Wauwatosa. The nominated property became the companyís corporate headquarters, management offices and its research and development center.
Kissel
Motor Car Industrial District The first buildings were erected for the production of the Kissel gasoline engine. In 1906 the decision was made to begin producing automobiles and an additional building was constructed. This building had a saw-toothed roofline, allowing for natural lighting through a series of windows at the roof. Almost yearly through 1920, new buildings were constructed and existing buildings were expanded. In early 1920s, the company employed more than 1,200 people. Largely as a result of the success of the Kissel business, the cityís population nearly tripled between 1900 and 1920, and the city grew into a large manufacturing center. The two most famous automobiles produced at the plant were the 1919 Goldbug Speedster and the 1927 White Eagle. After production peaked in 1920, the company began a slow decline and within 10 years was a victim of the Great Depression. Automobile manufacturing at the plant ceased in 1931, but the buildings were used to manufacture marine products. The complex continues to be used as a production facility. Oatman
Filling Station These stations were pioneers of the automobile strips and demonstrated the economic success of freestanding commercial buildings with deep setbacks and easy vehicular access, which became the dominant commercial type for suburban America. The Oatman Filling Station was built in 1931, a period of expanding automobile ownership and gas station construction in Eau Claire. Early automobile owners in the area purchased gasoline at outlets such as hardware stores and bulk oil stations. Sometime between 1923 and 1926, the first filling station in the city was erected; by 1928 the number had jumped to 28. Frank Oatman constructed this station as a Texaco-affiliated station. This building is the only surviving, intact pre-1940 filling station in Eau Claire. The building is not open to the public; please respect the privacy of its owners.
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