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Family information on “little car on the pole” shared Published: January 08, 2009
Jo Ostergren Yates Special to The Mechanicsville Local (Editor’s note: The following was submitted by e-mail by Jo Ostergren Yates and refers to the article titled “301 corridor work moves ahead” that appeared on the front page in the Jan. 7 edition.) Thought you’d like some info on the “little car on the pole”—It is a Crosley, manufactured by the same people who used to make Crosley radios. It was basically a four-passenger vehicle, but the back seat could fold down for extra storage or carrying space. A Mr. Conrad Carter owned it in the early 1950s. He was our neighbor, the first house on the left on Patrick Henry Boulevard. He worked for one of the bus companies, and got transfered to North Carolina, I think. Anyway, my Mom had put out a wish—just one of those “Gee, I wish I had a car, a station wagon, in blue” sort of wishes, that was spoken more in jest than anything else. My mom was Callie Foos Ostergren, who also wrote “Callie’s Chatter” for the Herald-Progress. Mr. Carter came by a week or so after Mom’s wish, and offered to sell her the little Crosley wagon, which was blue at the time. For $100, my Mom had a great little car that carried her and us all over Hanover County, to football games, to practice for my brothers, on her route as a reporter for the Richmond News Leader, just everywhere. All four of us then teenagers learned to drive in that car; it carried groceries, trash to the dump, pets to the vet, and even one time, some pet snakes to school for show and tell. (Our school bus driver would not let us bring the snakes on the bus. They were only garter snakes, and one king snake, but he got really upset!) It was sold after I was married, to Billy Fulwider, who then sold it to Gordon Lawhorn, for use as an advertising gimmick, atop the pole as it is now. Somewhere I have a photo of it in our front yard. If I can find that photo, I will e-mail it to you. It’s a shame it cannot be repaired or refurbished, but after nearly 40 years out in the open, with no maintenance, it is to be expected. It was a great little car, got nearly 40 miles to the gallon of gas, and we could use such a car now. I hope someone thinks enough of it to try and refurbish, as it would be a shame to just sell it for scrap metal. |
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Bob Moody of Urbanna,Virginia | Mar. 18, 2009, 02:07 AM
SAVE THE LITTLE CAR. WHAT WAS THE FIRST CAR Lea Lenz Dunham of Mechanicsville, VA | Jan. 16, 2009, 11:51 AM
I would like to thank ALL those that have come forward as of to date. PLEASE be sure to email me at Lea Dunham, publisher of Still Runnin Magazine, Join the cause TODAY! Lea Lenz Dunham of Mechanicsville, VA | Jan. 16, 2009, 01:07 AM
Email contact correction please not there was a l missing from the address .. the correct contact is: Lea Lenz Dunham of Mechanicsville, VA | Jan. 15, 2009, 02:20 PM
Email correction .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Lea Lenz Dunham of Mechanicsville, VA | Jan. 14, 2009, 04:01 PM
correction I posted my email address incorrectly please note it is: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) M. Ellen of Mechanicsville | Jan. 14, 2009, 10:41 AM
That car is part of Mechanicsville history and should remain where it is. It will be sorely missed if it is taken down. Much like the small plane that was part of the roof at a muffler shop in “Beautiful Downtown Short Pump”. It is part of local history and needs to remain in its spot. Keeping a watchful eye over 301. Yet I fear the worst for out little town. What will happen to land at West Nursery now that it has closed? More banks and gas stations? Can’t have too many of them can we. I fear the area is turning in to its own little “Short Pump” and I don’t like it. Mike Barbour of Hanover va. | Jan. 13, 2009, 08:18 PM
The Richmond area is famous for tearing down recent history to erect new crap that is supposed to resemble ancient history. I for one have been trying to raise interest in this action for some time. Roadside America has been lost to big chains and it needs to stop! The little car represents much more than a by gone era; history, economy, ecology, recycling, down sizing, great gas mileage, American know how, entrepreneurship at its best just to mention a few things that come to mind. I for one feel it would be a shame to let such a local treasure be destroyed for so called progress! I’m on board and will rally to the cause! Lets help Still Runnin save whats left of the good old days! There is a great story that has yet to be written down that goes along with the little car. I’m trying to piece it together, so send in your memories and tid bits to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), lets make it happen! Lea Lenz Dunham of Mechanicsville, VA | Jan. 13, 2009, 10:31 AM
On behalf of the Crosley 301 pole car, located in Mechanicsville, VA., There has been much internet discussion by many groups expressing their concern after “the Mechanicsville Local” newspaper released an editorial on January 7th, 2009 titled, “301 Corridor Work Moves Ahead”. The editorial brought both awareness and attention to the community with the statement that read; “the “little car on the pole on U.S. 301 will be coming down as progress moves forward on the corridor.” We have been and continue to be in close communication with the owners of Atlee Auto Service. It is true that the Crosley on the 301 pole has been ruled to come down, but not by the choice of the property owners. Understand that it is solely Hanover County officials who have chosen the fate of the 301 pole car. Still Runnin Magazine is making a public plea to all concerned individuals to assemble together as one unit in order to be effective as an organized group. The mission is to reverse the county’s decision to take down the pole car. Call this project: the “Little Car That Should”. Yes, the “Little Car That Should” stay right where it has been for all these years on the 301 corridor in Mechanicsville, VA. as a piece of the community’s history. There have been numerous offerings from individuals and groups to save the Crosley. With all of our efforts brought together working as one powerful force, we can win the battle that lies ahead to save the Crosley. If you are interested in banning together to help our effort, please register on Still Runnin Magazine’s Forum called the “Runnin Board” and ban together or “The Little Car that Should” ..... STAY Needs volunteers to raise public awareness of its fate ... Sign Boards, Petitions and Public Attendance and the like. Please help us with project. Respectfully, HHH of OLD CHURCH, VA | Jan. 12, 2009, 11:51 PM
AND LISA WOULDN’T EVEN BELIEVE THE OTHER CHANGES AROUND HANOVER, AND ESPECIALLY THE MECHANICSVILLE AREA IF SHE HASN’T BEEN BACK HERE FOR A FEW YEARS!! WHAT WILL GO NEXT?? WEST STORE?? NOT IN MY LIFETIME IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT!! Buddy Good of Mechanicsville, Va | Jan. 12, 2009, 02:35 PM
I remember seeing that car when we first moved to Richmond in the 60’s. I would be riding with my dad and I always looked for the “car up in the air”. There also was a tractor along the same route up on a builing with lights that made the tracks look like they were moving (it’s gone). Now my kids ride by the car with me several days a week and they too think its very cool. It will be a great loss if/when the car is taken down! Submit Your Comments Below |
