Mendenhall Building

Mendenhall Building. Built in 1914 and 1924. The eastern, two level portion of this building was built in 1914 and for two years was the home of the Hudson-Phillips Motor Car Co. In 1916, Mendenhall Motor Co. opened its Ford dealerships in the building. In 1924, Mendenhall added the matching, western, two story portion of this building., Mendenhall Motor Co. remained a Ford dealer at the location until 1950, although it did vacate the western addition for three years during the depression. During 1936, the addition was occupied by the Auburn Distributing Co. of St. Louis., The 1916 Fords first sold in the building, were the last Model T's trimmed with brass. The Model T had 20 horsepower and a 100 inch wheelbase. During the early 1920's there were more Ford Model Ts on American roads, than all other makes of cars, combined. The simple design and the high production volume of the Model T, enabled dealers, such as Mendenhall to sell the two door, runabout model, during 1925 and 1926, for only $260.00., The last Fords sold in this building in 1950, were the streamlined "shoe box" design with 100 horsepower and a 114 inch wheelbase., In 1909, Roy D. Chapin and Howard E. Coffin, veterans of Olds Motor Works, Chalmers-Detroit and Thomas-Detroit, established the Hudson Motor Car Co., with the financial backing of Joseph L. Hudson, owner of Detroit's Hudson Department stores. Hudson built quality, mid-priced cars from 1909 until its merger in 1956 with Nash-Kelvinator, creating American Motors Corp., 1936, the year Auburns were sold in this building, was the last year of Auburn production.