From our archives...Athens Car and Carriage Company

By Sandy Chamberlain

If you’re like me, you’ve never heard of the Athens Car and Coach Company.  It was a thriving business in the late 1800’s.  It was established in 1882 and incorporated in 1889.  Frank Daly was the proprietor.

From an article that appeared in The Daily News, on Tuesday, July 23, 1889:

“In a visit to the Athens Car and Coach factory, we were shown several very handsome coaches.  These coaches are made in the most substantial manner and finished as neatly and artistically as the work could be done in any establishment in this country.  Mr. Dyer, the energetic manager, is proud of the high reputation his work enjoys everywhere and gives his personal attention to every department, to the end that no flaws shall be permitted nor any part slighted in the least degree.”

The Car and Coach Company was located between Susquehanna St. and Herrick St. in Athens, PA.

The company advertised Coaches, Cars, Omnibuses and Hotel buses of all kinds.

From the annual catalogue are the Terms:

All prices are F.O.B.  ( free on board ) in Athens, unless otherwise stipulated in writing at the time of purchase.

Positively no goods on consignment.

All bills payable at our office in current funds or New York exchange, thirty days from date of invoice.  When money is sent by express, the charges must be prepaid.  Remittances should be made to Athens Car and Coach Co.

Write for net prices.

Charles Kellogg, President                    S.R. Payne, Secretary and Treasurer                     

James L. Dyer, Manager and VP

Again from the annual catalogue:

We desire to thank our numerous customers and inform them we have improved our styles (illustrated in the booklet).  Our capacity and facilities for manufacturing have greatly increased, enabling us to fill orders with greater promptness and dispatch than was heretofore possible.  Employing none but experienced workmen, and using only the best materials, we feel confident of our ability to please all customers.

In addition to this information in our archives, we have also acquired a mirror.  Printed on it is Athens Coach Works, Frank Daly, Prop. Athens, PA  It was a generous donation by Mac Hulslander of Raleigh, NC, formerly from Dimock, PA, who found the mirror when he bought his cottage in Dimock in 1969.   Mr. Hulslander’s father was a minister and served United Methodist Congregations throughout the Wyoming Conference of the United Methodist Church, including Athens Methodist Church for several years.

Mr. Mac Hulslander shared that his family has a long history of local connection, including his great grandfather who was a Waverly alderman and largely responsible for the creation of the Waverly Glen Park. His aunt, Jessie Kinsman was employed by the Robert Packer for many years and his grandmother Elsie Letts was the proprietress of the Remnant Shop on Waverly’s Fulton St for many years.  The Letts family home was in Waverly.

More can be learned and seen by visiting our archives at the museum.

The Tioga Point Museum is open 12-5p on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year.  You are invited to come and explore!