Coachbult.com - Whitfield & Sons



Beebe, Whitfield & Co. - 1872-1884 - Whitfield & McCormick 1884-1890s - Whitfield & Sons, Inc. - 1890s-1920s - Penn Yan Bodies 1920s-1950s - Coach & Equipment Sales Co - Carpenter Coach & Equipment Sales - Coach & Equipment Mfg. - 1950s-present - Penn Yan, New York

Whitfield & Sons - A mid-twenty’s Land Yacht was the 1927, all electric, self contained motorhome built by Whitfield & Sons, Inc. -

Robert Whitfield, was one son

Built school buses from 1930s through 1980s

1939 brochure lists Champion, Metro, Challenger and Scout models.

1982 brochure lists the Fortivan Small School Bus.

ad 1963 GMC Truck Equipment Catalog pp57 - Coach & Equipment Sales

1968 Silver Books lists firm as Carpenter Coach & Equipment Sales of Penn Yan.

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Coach & Equipment Manufacturing Corporation traces it's heritage back over 100 years and through several corporate evolutions.

We started out building better buggies, moved to building better bodies . . . and now to building better buses.

Our products have changed to meet the demands of the times. Our commitment to quality and innovation continues.

Explore our site to learn more. We think you'll agree that a Coach and Equipment vehicle is engineered like no other small bus.

http://www.shepardbrosinc.com/

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CAT's new small buses are manufactured by the Coach and Equipment Co. of PennYan, NY.;

Coach and Equipment Manufacturing of Penn Yan

For over ten years Shepard Bros., Inc. and Coach and Equipment Manufacturing Corporation have worked together to provide the mid size bus market with a solid, dependable, value-oriented vehicle. We are pleased to present what we believe to be one of the best engineered, best value opportunities in the small and mid size bus market.

We are especially proud of Coach & Equipmentís recent move to their new 80,000 square foot manufacturing facility. The addition of computer-guided laser torch and press brakes will help propel this manufacturer into the 21st Century. We cordially invite you to take the factory tour to experience this new and exciting facility!

Shepard Bros., Inc. unique relationship with Coach & Equipment Mfg. Corp. offers our customers a direct line to the manufacture of their new vehicle. Our intimate association with our automobile and truck division assures our customers that they will receive only the highest quality service and parts.

P.O. Box 36 • 130 Horizon Park Drive • Penn Yan, NY 14527
Phone: 315-536-2321 • Fax: 315-536-0460

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Charles L Hall, Roycrcroft Master Carver

In 1927 Leonard S. Whittier, of Elmira, New York, had a custom built recreation vehicle, long before it became part of the American way of life. The traveling home was christened "Flordellen" using the name of his wife, Florence, son David Lane and his own. Although none of the pictures obtained thus far show any the carved interior it is believed that Charles S. Hall did the interior woodwork in this vehicle. The data collected does indicate carved panels on the desk and other "fancy" woodwork. Further investigation will be necessary to conclude that, in fact, Charles Hall did the carving in this vehicle. Till that time I offer you the information that I do have in hopes that someone knows the location (if it still exists) of this de luxe land yacht.

Leonard S. Whittier was born in Chicago, June 16, 1883, the son of David Lane and Mary Wishard Whittier. David Lane Whittier established the Eclipse Bicycle Co. at Indianapolis. He transferred that business to Elmira Heights by invitation of the Elmira Industrial Association in 1895. Upon graduation from Mercersburg Academy, Leonard joined the Eclipse Machine Co. He rose to secretary and treasurer and was secretary when he retired in June 1924. He was one of four principal owners of the Eclipse Machine Company which manufactured the Bendix starter drive and other mechanical devices for automobiles, motorcycles and bicycles. He purchased this motor home, built to his specifications, for many trips to New York City, to Churchill Downs, Kentucky, to Florida for the winter and other places and cities. This motor home, or land yacht, was built by Whitfield & Sons, Inc., a maker of bus bodies in Penn Yan, NY. Of "parlor car" construction, it was equipped with the finest conveniences including carved wood work and even its own engraved stationery.

The car was 31 feet long, 9 feet 2 inches high and 7 feet 6 inches wide, practical for state roads and over head bridges of the time. Built on a Brockway model "H" bus chassis with a 200-inch wheelbase and a frame extension to take the long body, measuring over 30 feet from front bumper to observation platform. It had an automatic Kohler Electric Plant, a Model D, of 1,500-2,000 watt capacity which furnished light and power for all the appliances found in a modern home of the nineteen thirties. It had electric heaters, a Frigidaire electric refrigerator (the only electric refrigerator made at the time), and an electric stove and oven. Air pressure operated the water fed bathroom and kitchenette fans and forced draft through aerating ventilators on the roof over the kitchen and toilet. A six volt lighting and ventilating system was installed for convenience as an auxiliary to the 100 volt circuit.

The master quarters had accommodations for two with a Pullman style bed, wicker chairs, wardrobe, bookcases, built-in radio system, spinet desk with hand-carved panel and ample storage space in the lockers and cupboard. The interior trim was in gray-green leather with crepe-mohair drapes of orange, green and brown stripes. The woodwork was done in mahogany.

The Frigidaire refrigerator and the sink were on one side of the kitchen, with the electric stove and water heater opposite. On the right side of the vehicle was a complete bathroom, finished in cream-colored tile with green trim. There was a shower bath, complete with a curtain and rubber tiled floor, and a chemical toilet with a large septic tank beneath the floor. Bronze pendant light fixtures with a shaving mirror and medicine chest hung over the white porcelain lavatory bowl.

The driver's compartments contained accommodations for two people. Lounging chairs, a modified form of Morris chairs, used during the day became single beds at night. Bronze screens at the windows and ventilator openings added to comfort on the road. Protex wire glass was used on all windows. Marine instruments for weather forecast, ships clock, chart board, cigarette lighters and mirrors were included and added to the "land yacht" aspect of the vehicle.

The traveling home was designed to afford the utmost comfort. The chauffeur's luggage, tent and bedding were carried on the roof, nestled in the canoe which was inverted. The outside body was paneled in aluminum, finished in green and cream with mouldings in light tan. A chime whistle added to the trim of the vehicle. There was an observation platform, at the rear of the vehicle, with four metal chairs, and trimmed with awning strips. This was reached through the back door of the owner's salon, and lends a finishing touch to the body. Aboard the elegant cruiser are, from left to right, Dick Hall, Leah Hall, Leonard Whittier, and Florence Whittier. It is not known if Dick and Leah Hall are related to Charles S. Hall--yet another question to answer.

http://www.ms-t-inc.com/c-hall/flordellen.html

Charles S. Hall was born in Prattsburgh, NY, was kidnapped as a child and was never reunited with his parents. He was forced to stay in an attic room and work on farms till his teens. Despite this became an accomplished wood carver with the talent of Grinling Gibbons. He came to the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora, NY, in 1929, which was 14 years after Elbert Hubbard's death, and there accomplished much of his impressive work. The carving to the left is an example of the work that he did while at the Roycroft and is a page from his personal photo album, found at the Elbert Hubbard Museum in East Aurora, NY. He also carved the interior relief carvings at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Moravia, NY and was commissioned to do carvings at Cornell in Ithaca, NY in 1930. Through research I have also found the he was a designer at the Daytona Beach Millwork Co. in Daytona Beach, FL in 1935.

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WHITFIELD, William H., was born in New Jersey and became a resident of this county soon after the close of the civil war. He was in the service as a member of Co. G., 149th NY Volunteers, having enlisted in August 1862 at Syracuse, and serving about three years. On first coming to Penn Yan, Mr. WHITFIELD worked at his trade of carriage trimming, but afterward became associated in business with George BEEBE. In the year 1884 the firm of Whitfield & Mc Cormick was formed, and has since pursued a successful business. Reference to the manufactures of the firm is made in the chapter devoted to Penn Yan. In 1868 Mr. WHITFIELD married Hattie WHEELER, widowed daughter of John & Huldah UNDERDONK. Two children have been born to them.

BEEBE, George, born in Albany County, became a resident of Penn Yan when about twenty-four years of age. He was employed by Timothy BRIGDEN in a carriage shop which stood where the present large Beebe factory is now located. In 1872 the plant burned, after which Mr. BEEBE bought the land and erected new buildings. For a time, W. H. WHITFIELD was a partner in the business of carriage manufacturing. The firm of Beebe, Whitfield & Co., continued eleven years and then dissolved, Mr. BEEBEE since conducting the business. His chief manufactures are carriages and speeding carts. He furnishes employment to about twenty-five hands. The works are in Jacob street in Penn Yan village. In 1862 George BEEBE enlisted in Company B., 148th NY Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. In March, 1857, at Mohawk, NY, he married Ann Eliza WOOLEVER, by whom he had two sons. Ann E. BEEBEE died in 1878. In 1879 he married Susan M. NELSON of Little Falls. One child has been born on this marriage.

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Keuka Yacht Club

Interest in establishing a permanent home for KYC was fostered by William H. Whitfield, known as "Skipper". William’s devotion to sailing stemmed from his boyhood when at 12 he and his younger brother haunted the dock at the Roosevelt summer home on Skaneateles Lake. When Nicholas Roosevelt’s tall-masted yacht, The Julia, sailed in, Captain Freeman let the eager lads sail her to her anchorage, making every possible tack to prolong their pleasure. In return, they were to make all secure, furling sails and placing covers, before rowing ashore.

William arrived in Penn Yan in 1866 with carpetbag and aspirations. Heading west, he was taken by the beauty of Keuka and stopped off. He established the forerunner of the Coach and Equipment Company, offering the first fringe benefits in the area: he reduced the 60 hour work week to 55, with pay for Saturday afternoons off. John N. Willys, when in Penn Yan to sell parts to the shop, warned Whitfield that the automobile might be here to stay, but Skipper doubted this salesman whose vision would produce the Jeep. Another associate, William C. Durant, later founder of General Motors, advised him to go into gas buggies.

More than carriages were built in Whitfield’s shop. During off-season, an original shallow-draught boat of Skipper’s design was annually rebuilt. In communication with originators in Canada and the Midwest, Whitfield swapped designs for an ideal skimming dish hull. A "Paul Bunyan" figure in his shop, Ben Reno, helped with this construction when not fishing for lake trout for local restaurants, raising barns, or building his own design fishing boats. This skimming dish, The Juno, was the largest and fastest sail boat on Keuka. Although Skipper’s design was never reproduced, as was the A-Scow which his western colleagues developed, over 8000 guests signed her log attesting to her success over the years.

http://keukayc.org/KYC-history.html

For more information please read:

L.C. Aldrich - History of Yates Co., NY published 1892

Home on the Road, the Motor Home in America, by Roger B. White, ISBN 1-56098-914-9

"Sumptuous Residence on Wheels Installed with Kohler Electric Plant," Kohler of Kohler News, (December, 1927): 11, 13

The Chemung Historical Journal, Vol. 37, No. 1, September, 1991, pp 4077-4080, obtained from the Chemung County Historical Society, Elmira, NY.

Robert Rust, for the initial photograph showing the motor coach with the notation "Interior Carved by Hall" written on the bottom.

"Deluxe Traveling Home Has Ideal Arrangements,"Motor Vehicle Monthly (October 1927): 28, 37

Ed Strauss & Karen Strauss - The Bus World Encyclopedia of Buses

G.N. Georgano & G. Marshall Naul - The Complete Encyclopedia of Commercial Vehicles

Albert Mroz - Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Trucks & Commercial Vehicles

Donald F. Wood - American Buses