General DiscussionDiscuss Bookmobile Survivor in the AACA GENERAL DISCUSSION forums; (Optional redneck moonroof is merely a previous handler's temporary storage solution.)
In the Spring of 1955, the Anderson, SC Library ordered a Second-Series Chevy 3600 Chassis-Cab, and sent the unit ...
(Optional redneck moonroof is merely a previous handler's temporary storage solution.)
In the Spring of 1955, the Anderson, SC Library ordered a Second-Series Chevy 3600 Chassis-Cab, and sent the unit off to Rock Hill, SC to have the book box built. The Rock Hill Body Company (RHBC) created the box, an evolutionary design with walk-in center core and exterior fold-out wing doors. In '58, the Anderson County Library System was created by referendum, and the Bookmobile continued in service till 1991, when it was retired from the road and put in long-term storage.
In April, 2006, three of us leased our new "garage"--a building that started life in 1924 as an Overland dealership. Thru the years, it's been home to Buick, then Cad-Olds, then AMC, then Foreign car dealers, becoming storage since 1981 for an auto repair shop. Under-used, I've tried for the last 10 years to rent it, but it finally came to pass last year.
The Bookmobile has lived there since 1991, it's last drive being the one up the interior ramp to the large storage area on the second floor. Neglected and forgotten, it is with great pleasure that I can now announce my acquisition of this unique survivor. The plan is to do a maintenance overhaul and cosmetic resto, so that this treasure can once again hit the road, promoting "book-larnin'" and literacy.
It's been a long haul to make it legal again, with help and encouragement from library officials and even the DMV(!), but will be worth every bit of sweat and monetary equity. The coolest rush came back in January, when a friend's 5-year-old great-great nephew came to the garage with his father and grandfather. Seeing the Bookmobile's "face," he squealed, "It looks just like 'Tow-Mater'!," the '55 Chevy tow truck from the Disney "Cars" movie.
The library's 100th anniversary (and the county system's 50th) is next year, so having it ready by then is an attainable goal. I can't wait for it's debut!
I'll keep you "posted."
TG [img]<>/wink.gif[/img]
Learn about RHBC's fascinating history at www.coachbuilt.com in the "Commercial Body" section.
The Bookmobile truck is a very worthy candidate for restoration. You will create a lot of attention when you show it. I remember as a kid in the '50's visiting a tractor trailer type bookmobile and it was always a lot of fun. Good luck with it and I am glad you are saving it!
Woody Michel
BCA 26487, AACA 595592
'40 Roadmaster Coupe
'51 Ford Country Squire
'63 Riviera
'62 Morgan Plus 4
Yeah, they have a whole scrapbook compiled by one of its early lady drivers. I'll make scans of highlights next week. It's a standard cab, with six-cylinder & 3-speed stick. It has the usual rust around the cab corners, but patch panels are available on ebay. I'll leave the box interior as-is, after a good cleaning.
I'm going to make it a "time capsule" filled with pre-1955 books and a travelling automotive research reference library. It's gonna be a total hoot, 'cause in the 35+ years I've been going to car shows, I can't recall ever seeing one!
I've been researching bookmobiles while waiting for the outcome of mine, and I've run across some really neat examples. The '57 chassis-cowl unit was used by Greenville, SC, our nearest big city, and the '59 panel with trailer saw service in Midland, Michigan.
These are both postcards issued by the builder, Gerstenlager of Wooster, Ohio, still in the biz today. Heaven only knows where these old road warriors are. Read about Gerstenslager at www.coachbuilt.com (it's one of my favorite sites!)
And you're right...I look forward to sharing this vehicle with kids of all ages.
I think that may be the Bookmobile that was sold at Herbie's auction in SC in '95. There's a guy looking for it at www.stovebolt.com. Very cool!
Now, if I could just find this model of South Carolina's first Bookmobile, built under a WPA program, my life would be complete. Well, almost. [img]<>/crazy.gif[/img]
That will be a nice looking vehicle when you are finished.
Attached is a photo from the Western Maryland Library showing Maryland's first motorized bookmobile that was put in service in 1912 to supply books t the isolated areas of Western Maryland. The very first bookmobile in Maryland was an enclosed buggy that went into service in 1905, and was pulled by two horses named Dandy and Black Beauty. The horse pulled bookmobile was used until 1912 when the first motorized unit was put into serivce.
The information on the motorized bookmobile states:
"In March of 1912 an IHC Autobuggy with body by Thomas White was delivered by the International Harvester Company. It had a specially constructed top with shelves for 300 books and storage room for four deposit station cases."
Thought you might like to see it.
The International was replaced in 1916 with a specially equipped Koehler bookmobile truck that could hold 500 books. The Koehler was replaced in 1921 with a Dodge business car that was lighter for the ladies to drive than the earlier vehicles. The Koehler was used until 1931.
Other bookmobiles used in Western Maryland include:
1931 Dodge truck (1931 to 1940)
1950 Studebaker truck (1950 to 1957)
1957 GMC Truck (1957 to 1969) capacity for 2800 books
1969 International (1969 to 1985)
1985 two Thomas-built buses (1985 to 2004)
2004 Bluebird bus (2004 to present) capacity for 4000 books and 4 computer workstations.
Thanks for the cool IHC High-Wheeler photo...it's evident that Bookmobiles came in all shapes and sizes. Here's one from Staten Island, NY, on a chassis we'll all recognize.
TG
Mr. Peterson - Do you have any more information on this vehicle, or contact information for its owner, Mr. Henderson? I have been obsessed with the search for this vehicle, or one like it, for many years! Any additional information will be greatly appreciated! Stephen Nolan > bowlinnolan@bellsouth.net
Mr. Peterson - Thanks to your posting, tips from members of the www.stovebolt.com website, and information accessed through the AACA Deep South Region website, I have located the 49 Chevrolet Bookmobile that had been the object of my obsession & search for many years. It remains in the excellent stewardship of the dedicated collector / preservationist who acquired it in 1995, and has maintained the vehicle in its outstanding original condition. My thanks to you and the AACA, of which I am proud to be a new member. Stephen Nolan > bowlinnolan@bellsouth.net.
That's great...at least now you know where it is. You will keep in touch with the current owner, I presume?
We've started work on the '55, with plans to have the cosmetic resto done by the library's 100th anniversary next summer.
I can't wait to get it on the road!
Roadmaster - Mr. Henderson, the long - term owner and outstanding steward of the 49 Bookmobile, has invited me to visit him to see the vehicle and his collection. It was your posting of your fine 55 bookmobile on this site that started the thread that led Mr. Peterson to post the photo of the 49, and your subsequent posting on stovebolt, which was picked up by Spanky & relayed to me, that led me to this site. Your 55 is truly a great find; the fact that it was driven into the warehouse, where it remained for many years, is the best possible example of the "ran when parked" syndrome. I am in the Charleston, S.C. area, and would love to have the opportunity to see your Chevy at your convenience. As an antiquarian bookseller, I love your idea of furnishing your bookmobile with pre '55 books, and would be happy to give you one, in particular, that no bookmobile should be without! Bowlzo - Stephen Nolan > bowlinnolan@bellsouth.net.
"I am in the Charleston, S.C. area, and would love to have the opportunity to see your Chevy at your convenience. As an antiquarian bookseller, I love your idea of furnishing your bookmobile with pre '55 books, and would be happy to give you one, in particular, that no bookmobile should be without! Bowlzo - Stephen Nolan > bowlinnolan@bellsouth.net."
bowlzo posted this on the orginal Bookmobile Survior thread.
The question is, which book do you think he wants to dontate? Add your guess and he can tell us who is right.
My guess is Catcher in the Rye. [img]<>/wink.gif[/img] [img]<>/grin.gif[/img]
Susan W. Linden
AACA National - C.T.C.
Planning Committee - Charleston Distance Run Pasta Dinner
Secret Santa Foundation, Inc. - Secretary
Telecom/Telephone Pioneers __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________- "Don't tempt fate. That call or text can wait. Make your vehicle aNo Phone Zonetoday." - Oprah Winfrey
It's a small world, eh? I'm happy to have been a small part in helping you realize your goal of locating the '49, after years of searching. Persistence pays off!
I'd be happy to show you the '55 in the coming months during her restoration the next time you're thru the Upstate. I live close by the garage, so get in touch.
And I'll happily accept any donation of book that you deem suitable.
The book I will be donating to the 55 Bookmobile is the literary "father of the bookmobile", and was a primary inspiration in my becoming an itinerant antiquarian bookseller. Bowlzo the Bookman.
wow, what memories the bookmobile brings back. as a kid on long island, ny, in the late 50's, early 60's,the bookmobile had scheduled stops at the end of my street and i clearly remember using it to check books in/out.i remember it as being fairly large and having alot of books.never thought i would see one again. good luck with it. i would be happy to donate some old books if you want them. dennis
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