THE WcHENRY PLAmDEALEIlf:; ~'<l? , Do you remember scenes like this in the early days of the century ? They were familiar when the first cars were beginning to make their appearance and their noise usually sent frightened horses scurrying for safety. It was in 1909 that this West Side Livery operated by the Overtons started in business. RICHARD OVERTON 1909 1911 Opened .the ^Riverside Livery and later moved the Business to the West side. \ Built the first two-car garage and obtained the franchise for the sale of Willys-Overland. 1915 The first addition was built on. the original igarage to handle increased business. 1920 1921 1926 The agency franchise for Buick cars was secured for the northern half of McHenry County. The initial step in their expansion program was started by building a garage in Harvard, 111. Due to the popularity of the Buick automobile, a new garage was opened in Crystal Lake. Just two years later, in 1911, the first two-car garage was built by thg Overtons, who were agents for the sale of Willys-Overland cars. As out-dated as they appear here, they were the fashionable machines to drive ove» forty years ago, when the new type of vehicle was still a source of wonder to the public. Front row, left to right: Frank Jeske, Claude Baseley, Dorothy Walsh, Geo. Kinsala, Fred Pepping. Rear: Geo. Harms, Karl Bradley, Dan Thurlwell, Joe Rowland^ Art Edstrom, Bob Pepping, Harry Bretschneider. Front row, left to right: Delray Kaulke, Carl Anderson, Carol Freund, Robert Engles. Rear, left to right: Tom Doherty, Eloy Phannenstill, Herman Berkley, Fred Snyder, Ernest Krug, Jim Brition. , PAUL OVERTON - This is the Overton Buick garage, erected on Front street in 1911. Several additions to it have been made through the years. Popularity of the Buick auto, for which they had received the agency franchise in 1920, was responsible for other new garages being built, in Harvard and Crystal Lake. 1928 1931 1932 1948 1949 1955 To keep pace with this ever-expanding business, another addition to the original garage was made. Based on Overton's fine past record, they were granted the Pontiac franchise by General Motors. Cadillac and Oldsmobile franchises were obtained; further evidence of G.M.'s satisfaction. To mal^e room for, a wider selection of styles and - models a warehouse was built on W. Elm Street. Completion . of the. .beautiful Cadillac- Pontiac garage was * another milestone in Overton's progress. To continue providing the finest in service for their customers, a new, modern service department was built. V> - 'W*>V i:/" v -v'!•. .'-V It was an important day, not only for the Overtons but for the entire community, when one of the most beautiful garages in the state was completed in 1949. It was the Cadillac-Pontiac garage which is located directly across the street from the Buick establishment. . JL. . -- l -» -- >J«I. A OVERTON CADILLAC-PONTIAC CO. R. I. OVERTON MOTOR SALES 400 - 403 FRONT STRUT PHONES 6-17 McHENRY, ILljNOIS