We stumbled upon this photo while going through a pile of digital shots from our research. It seems to be a snapshot of a pony parade in Bad Axe, Michigan, from the 1930s.
In the backdrop, you can see the Garber Buick Company dealership. It was founded by Guy Garber, a trailblazer in the automotive industry. When he was just 23, he was taken under the wing of Billy Durant, the founder of General Motors. Durant tasked Guy with setting up a retail network, leading to the opening of dealerships in Battle Creek and Saginaw. When Buick pulled out of the Saginaw market in 1910, Guy and a partner stepped in, buying Buick’s stake and establishing the Garber Buick Company in Bad Axe, Michigan.
Fast forward to 1938, and Guy Flannery bought the Bad Axe dealership. After the Second World War, his son, Mark, joined him, and together they ran the dealership as Flannery and Sons, selling both Buick and Pontiac brands.
The Garber and Flannery families continue to operate auto dealerships in Michigan to this day. Sadly, Guy Garber passed away in 1965.
For some related reading about Bad Axe, Michigan, check out these articles about Zingarella at the Bad Axe Fair in 1912, President Nixon’s visit in 1974, and the devastating forest fires in the 1800s.
To sum it all up, this photo from the 1930s isn’t just a snapshot of a charming pony parade in Bad Axe, Michigan. It’s a window into the past, revealing the beginnings of the Garber Buick Company, the transition to Flannery and Sons, and the enduring legacy of these two families in the automotive industry. Even today, their influence can be seen as they continue to run dealerships in Michigan.
#BadAxeMichigan #AutomotiveHistory
See the original post at [Kids Pony Parade in 1930s Bad Axe Michigan](https://thumbwind.com/2021/03/21/bad-axe-michigan/).
This shot was found in a stack of digital shots from our research. It appears to be a pony parade taken in Bad Axe, Michigan, in the 1930s.
The Garber Buick Company
In the background, it shows the Garber Buick Company dealership. Its founder, Guy Garber, was an automotive pioneer. At age 23, Guy was mentored by Billy Durant, founder of General Motors. Durant asked Guy to organize a retail network, opening dealerships in Battle Creek and Saginaw. In 1910, Buick withdrew from the Saginaw market, and Guy, along with a partner, bought Buick’s interest, establishing Garber Buick Company. Bad Axe Michigan.
Flannery Buys Out Garber
In 1938 Guy Flannery bought the Bad Axe dealership. After World War II, Flannery’s son, Mark, joined his dad to run the dealership as Flannery and Sons. The pair sold both the Buick and Pontiac brands.
Both families, Garber and Flannery, are still operating auto dealerships in Michigan. Guy Garber passed away in 1965.
Related Bad Axe Michigan Reading
- Zingarella at the Bad Axe (Huron Community) Fair in Bad Axe 1912
- President Nixon Visits Bad Axe Michigan, April 10, 1974
- Michigan Forest Fires in the 1800s Devastate the Thumb
