1

In the exciting early days of Herbert, Ford cars were assembled in Herbert and delivered throughout the region.

2

Ford Garage 1916
1916
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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3

Elmer Josephson Sr. and his son Elmer (who later moved to Long Beach, California) and Ford Motor Co. built the building. Ford cars Model T were manufactured in the building from 1916 - 1926. The mechanics were John and Hank Unger.

Each Model T car came to town in six crates-1 crate the engine, 1 crate the differential and transmission units, 1 crate had just the basic body, another crate had the doors and wheels and one crate had seats and wheels. All this equipment was handled by hand. Six men put the car together. Cars were assembled in Herbert and then distributed to communities in the area, including Swift Current.

4

Ford Garage Side View
1925
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada

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Ford Garage 1925
1925
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Mrs. DeFehr wrote a note on the back of the photo in 1925 - "Our salesman, George Wiebe, won the first prize for selling the most Ford cars. He is standing beside his reward."

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Ford Garage business expanded
9 March 2004
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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8

Pete Harder and J.K. Wiebe bought the business from Josephson in 1924. Pete's son, Herb and J.K.'s son worked there. Pete & Son left the business and started their own machine shop. J.K. ran the business, added a grocery department, meat market, had a Ford Chrysler dealership plus International Harvester and Case agencies.

John I. Thiessen bought the business from J.K. Wiebe and he also took over the Greyhound Agent & Depot and became the License Issuer. After some money difficulties the business reverted back to J.K. Wiebe.

9

Ford Garage building today
9 March 2004
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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10

Mel Toews and Art Cassin took over the International Agencies. Art left the business and sold his interest to J.J. Voth and the business became Voth and Toews. After John J. Voth left the building to open a Plumbing Shop across the street, the Ford Garage Building was sold to Peter E. Klassen for a Museum. Upon Peter Klassen's death the family turned the building over to the town for taxes.

11

The building with all its history still stands in Herbert but needs much repair. TheTown of Herbert is currently using it for storage.