Speaker Series: Studebaker in St. Joseph, Missouri
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During the California Gold Rush, five brothers—Henry, Clement, John Mohler, Peter Everst, and Jacob Franklin Studebaker—traveled west and built wealth, first as blacksmiths, and then by building wheelbarrows and wagons. In 1868, they formally united their enterprises as the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company. Although their manufacturing operations were in South Bend, their primary market lay along the famous westering trails that originated in the Missouri River Valley and headed to points west — primarily California, Oregon, Utah, and Santa Fe. This brought them to St. Joseph, Missouri, one of America’s greatest “Jumping Off” towns and the self-proclaimed “King of the Trails.” The Studebaker family would quickly become one of America’s most successful wagon-making dynasties.
In 1865, the brothers sent Peter Everst Studebaker to St. Joseph to open the company’s first dealership there. Following the incorporation of the business, the Studebaker Brothers established a “manufactory and repository” at Fourth and James (now 4th and Patee). The company quickly earned a reputation for quality, regularly exhibiting its vehicles at the Buchanan County Fair in St. Joseph and the Missouri State Fair, which was then held in St. Louis. Studebaker wagons and carriages regularly won top awards, including for best two-horse carriage, best single-top buggy, and best sleigh.
Join us as Travis Boley, who has ran the Oregon-California Trails Association from their headquarters building in Independence, Missouri, over the past 23 years and was formerly the Executive Director of the Pony Express National Museum in St. Joseph, tells us about the Studebaker operations in 19th century Missouri and their impact on the California gold rush, Oregon emigration, and Santa Fe Trail trade.
ABOUT SPEAKER SERIES
The Studebaker Museum Speaker Series, presented by the Campisi Family Education Fund, is held in the Wiekamp Auditorium. Regular Speaker Series admission is $2. Regular admission fees apply to tour the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum. Studebaker National Museum and Campus members are admitted free!
In 1865, the brothers sent Peter Everst Studebaker to St. Joseph to open the company’s first dealership there. Following the incorporation of the business, the Studebaker Brothers established a “manufactory and repository” at Fourth and James (now 4th and Patee). The company quickly earned a reputation for quality, regularly exhibiting its vehicles at the Buchanan County Fair in St. Joseph and the Missouri State Fair, which was then held in St. Louis. Studebaker wagons and carriages regularly won top awards, including for best two-horse carriage, best single-top buggy, and best sleigh.
Join us as Travis Boley, who has ran the Oregon-California Trails Association from their headquarters building in Independence, Missouri, over the past 23 years and was formerly the Executive Director of the Pony Express National Museum in St. Joseph, tells us about the Studebaker operations in 19th century Missouri and their impact on the California gold rush, Oregon emigration, and Santa Fe Trail trade.
ABOUT SPEAKER SERIES
The Studebaker Museum Speaker Series, presented by the Campisi Family Education Fund, is held in the Wiekamp Auditorium. Regular Speaker Series admission is $2. Regular admission fees apply to tour the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum. Studebaker National Museum and Campus members are admitted free!
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201 Chapin St, South Bend, IN, United States, Indiana 46601
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Host or PublisherStudebaker National Museum
