"C M Brown Ford" | Wednesday Sep 29, 2010
As time has peeled away the newer layers of paint, the C M Brown Ford Service sign has reappeared and can be seen across the back of the building on Main St where Dos Banderos Restaurant and other businesses are today. The bottom floor was the showroom and the upper the the garage floor where auto repairs were made. A ramp for cars ran from the ground to the second floor.
Mike Hayslip provides background: "An undated clipping in a family scrapbook suggests that the formal opening was held before 'the big two-story building was completed (ca 1917), but the fine mahogany and marble office was furnished and served as a reception room.... A splendid orchestra from Dallas furnished the music, which, together with selections from a Grafonoia, was enjoyed throughout the day and well into the night.' An estimated two thousand visitors from Garland and neighboring communities and from Dallas attended."
2010 © Douglas Athas
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Galleries: Automobiles Local Landmarks History