You never know what trivia will show up on this forum....What about old Tom Henry? Here is an interesting story.
EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.
Each month, the Richland History Group highlights notable aspects of the area’s past.
So often, we pass by the buildings and storefronts of our community without even realizing the history within their walls. Many of the places we pass on a daily basis are home to the stories of our neighbors and origins of generations past.
For example, take a small white building tucked in the southwest quadrant of the Bakerstown, Pennsylvania crossroads (intersection of Heckert and Bakerstown Roads). During the previous century, there was a house at that location, where Dr. Guthrie lived and was part of Bakerstown’s Underground Railroad station. After that house was torn down, the current two-story brick building operated various small businesses in the early 20th century.
In 1958, this building became the first home of Tom Henry Chevrolet. Thomas B. Henry had been working towards this day for years. As a child, he grew up helping around the family business — Henry’s Service Station — in Callery, Pa. He helped pump gas, serve ice cream and sell crackers to feed the fish in the pond. When he was of age, he joined the Army to serve in World War II as a supply truck driver on the front lines of battle.
When he came home, Tom began his career in car sales. He worked hard to prove himself every day and eventually became the top salesman in the Northeast for Chevrolet. Taking note of his impressive work ethic, Chevrolet asked him to become a dealer principal, with his own store in a new market. On Valentine’s Day of 1958, he signed the sales and service agreement to begin his new adventure in Bakerstown.
It took only three years for the dealership to outgrow its first location. Construction began on a new building sitting directly adjacent to Route 8, which at the time was only two lanes wide. This second site was formerly owned by Bakerstown’s founder, Thomas Baker. By early 1963, the new building was open for business.
Chevrolet brought displays from Detroit for the grand opening, including a cut-away Corvette to show off the technology beneath the sleek design. The children in attendance received model Corvettes, and the ladies each got a bottle of perfume. A jazz band played while all enjoyed food and drink – truly a grand affair.
For years, the business grew and planted its roots even deeper in the community. They added a parts department, and a new collision center was built behind the showroom. Future generations of mechanics and salesmen got their humble beginnings detailing cars and arranging the lot. Most notably, Tom’s son, Thomas G. Henry, began his journey. He started spending summers in the clean-up department, soon working his way through the ranks of parts, service and sales. He attended Northwood University to learn more about becoming a dealer and eventually worked in every single department at the dealership. By 1982, he was ready to take on his biggest role yet: dealer principal.
In 2012, Tom made one of the biggest moves in his career by breaking ground on the larger building we all know today. This bold choice came on the heels of the 2008 recession and General Motors’ mandate for dealers to comply with renovation codes. By December 2012, the building was ready for its grand opening. It saw many years of car shows, community sponsorships and events, new car models, and families realizing dreams.
Following the 2020 covid-19 pandemic and shut down, Tom made the difficult choice to retire and sell the family business. The building still stands, and though with a different name on the front, still holds many stories from all who entered over the last seven years. Three buildings, three generations and millions of memories will always be held dear in Bakerstown.
EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.
Each month, the Richland History Group highlights notable aspects of the area’s past.
So often, we pass by the buildings and storefronts of our community without even realizing the history within their walls. Many of the places we pass on a daily basis are home to the stories of our neighbors and origins of generations past.
For example, take a small white building tucked in the southwest quadrant of the Bakerstown, Pennsylvania crossroads (intersection of Heckert and Bakerstown Roads). During the previous century, there was a house at that location, where Dr. Guthrie lived and was part of Bakerstown’s Underground Railroad station. After that house was torn down, the current two-story brick building operated various small businesses in the early 20th century.
In 1958, this building became the first home of Tom Henry Chevrolet. Thomas B. Henry had been working towards this day for years. As a child, he grew up helping around the family business — Henry’s Service Station — in Callery, Pa. He helped pump gas, serve ice cream and sell crackers to feed the fish in the pond. When he was of age, he joined the Army to serve in World War II as a supply truck driver on the front lines of battle.
When he came home, Tom began his career in car sales. He worked hard to prove himself every day and eventually became the top salesman in the Northeast for Chevrolet. Taking note of his impressive work ethic, Chevrolet asked him to become a dealer principal, with his own store in a new market. On Valentine’s Day of 1958, he signed the sales and service agreement to begin his new adventure in Bakerstown.
It took only three years for the dealership to outgrow its first location. Construction began on a new building sitting directly adjacent to Route 8, which at the time was only two lanes wide. This second site was formerly owned by Bakerstown’s founder, Thomas Baker. By early 1963, the new building was open for business.
Chevrolet brought displays from Detroit for the grand opening, including a cut-away Corvette to show off the technology beneath the sleek design. The children in attendance received model Corvettes, and the ladies each got a bottle of perfume. A jazz band played while all enjoyed food and drink – truly a grand affair.
For years, the business grew and planted its roots even deeper in the community. They added a parts department, and a new collision center was built behind the showroom. Future generations of mechanics and salesmen got their humble beginnings detailing cars and arranging the lot. Most notably, Tom’s son, Thomas G. Henry, began his journey. He started spending summers in the clean-up department, soon working his way through the ranks of parts, service and sales. He attended Northwood University to learn more about becoming a dealer and eventually worked in every single department at the dealership. By 1982, he was ready to take on his biggest role yet: dealer principal.
In 2012, Tom made one of the biggest moves in his career by breaking ground on the larger building we all know today. This bold choice came on the heels of the 2008 recession and General Motors’ mandate for dealers to comply with renovation codes. By December 2012, the building was ready for its grand opening. It saw many years of car shows, community sponsorships and events, new car models, and families realizing dreams.
Following the 2020 covid-19 pandemic and shut down, Tom made the difficult choice to retire and sell the family business. The building still stands, and though with a different name on the front, still holds many stories from all who entered over the last seven years. Three buildings, three generations and millions of memories will always be held dear in Bakerstown.
