Heartland Acres receives a 1908 Black automobile on loan for 2013 exhibit: Pictured is Gary Henderson, Auto Museum Volunteer for Heartland Acres with the recently arrived 1908 Black automobile.
Heartland Acres recently brought in another rare and historically significant exhibit to add to the car museum. A 1908 Black automobile is now on display for a limited time. The car and the manufacturer have an interesting history with a tie to Iowa.
The Black Manufacturing Co. of Chicago marketed the high-wheeled auto-buggy from 1908 to 1910, primarily by mail order, although a major impetus to the sales came from $50,000 in orders taken at the Iowa State Fair in 1908.
Black Manufacturing was not the builder of the automobile it marketed. The auto was identical to a car and was built by the W.H. McIntyre Company of Auburn, Indiana. Previous to marketing the Black (McIntyre-manufactured) automobile, Black had sold the Chicago Motor Buggy; subsequently, they partnered with the Crow Motor Car Company of Elkhart, Indiana to sell the Black Crow auto.
Information about the Black came from “Auburn: The Classic City” by John Martin Smith and was researched by Bill Reedy, Buchanan County Historical Society. The car is owned by Lloyd Welter of Monticello, IA. Heartland Acres is excited to have another exhibit to add to the car museum along with all the other interesting and exciting agricultural displays which can be found on campus.
Heartland Acres will change from winter hours to summer hours starting April 1. Museum operations will be Monday – Saturday 9 AM – 4:30 PM and Sunday noon – 4:30 PM through November 1.
Find Heartland Acres on Facebook or call 319.332.0123. Heartland Acres is located at 2600 Swan Lake Blvd, Independence, IA 50644. (Exit 252 on HWY 20)
