Historic Brown’s Garage on The Mohawk Trail serviced Model T’s starting in 1920.

[trulyvintage]

The Mohawk Trail is an east to west scenic highway on Route 2
located in Northern Massachusetts. A steep grade with switchbacks,
the dirt road was carved out of the mountains and later
“ modernized “ in the 1920’s.
Florida, Massachusetts was a hamlet near the summit where folks
rested after making the climb or before descending into the valley below. Brown’s Garage was established in 1920.
I had the good fortune to visit it and the 9th generation owners
a few years ago while picking up a Model T.

These are my images.









Jim

[trulyvintage]

Mr. Stanley Brown and his wife Maralyn have lived in
Drury, Massachusetts their whole lives, their families have
lived in Berkshire County, Massachusetts since the 1810’s.
Stanley’s great great grandfather settled in
Florida, Massachusetts in 1810.
Stanley’s distant relative William White came to this
country on The Mayflower.
Harold Brown was Stanley’s father.
He built Brown’s Garage in 1920.









Jim

[Bruce_MO]

I love places like that… they have real character. Thanks for sharing.

[trulyvintage]

Glad you are enjoying the story !

The original garage was constructed entirely of wood.
It was torn down in 1941 and rebuilt with wood.
A fire took the building in 1964 and rebuilt again with block.

Harold serviced many Model T’s in the early years.
After climbing the steep grade, most cars stopped
for water to help with the overheating.
Before descending, brakes were inspected.
Harold kept spare parts, he developed a system
with another mechanic to replace the connecting
rod on number one cylinder which often was
oil starved with the splash system and prone
to early failure.

Stanley started working there around 1964.
He remembers fetching water for overheated
cars and taking tires down to the creek to check for leaks.
Stanley’s father sold the garage to an uncle.
Stanley bought the garage back sometime in the 1970’s
and continued to operate it, here is a picture
of Stanley and the crew taken in the mid 70’s.





Jim

[trulyvintage]

These images are courtesy of Mr. Stanley Brown.

When the original trail for vehicles was
built in 1912 to 1914, stones were used
from local farmers walls.





The trail was not kept open during the Winter
until 1929, vehicles had to clear the path
with shovels, this picture is from 1926





Mr. Howard Brown and his helper in
front of Brown’s garage in 1923.





Jim

[A bones]

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Thank You for this vital piece of auto history.
The legendary T models were "problematic" Getting oil to the front while uphill.
You touched one of my favorite memories.
I used to run 18 wheelers,,, Whenever possible I would take the "road less traveled".
One time I was able to do the whole state of Mass on Rte #2,,, from West to East.

[trulyvintage]

Route 2 across Massachusetts is beautiful
and challenging to drive pulling a trailer.
This is the perfect time of the year to
make that trip.
Mr. Stanley Brown provided images
for notecards that can be bought at
The Wigwam Summit located a few
miles west of Brown’s Garage.
Here are a few that I bought.











Jim

[trulyvintage]

Mr. Stanley Brown was Uncle Sam for
many years in local holiday parades.





Mr. Stanley Brown and his wife at
the kitchen table, we visited for quite
a bit and they graciously shared time
with me, I had already visited the
garage first thing in the morning
(having no clue of their association).





They generously donated a Model T
to The MTFCA Museum in Indiana
and had hired me to transport it.
Here is a photo of it at drop off.





Jim

[A bones]

Jim you reaiiy made a good purchase of pictures.
I could look for long time and think about the ages of our days.
And hey that T Tudor is my car. OOOPs NO,,, my sister had to have it, shoved bunch of dough at me. I'm still 'attached' though

[trulyvintage]

I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Simpler times for sure, kinda
wish I was living back then.

Jim

[corvette8n]

Wow, I remember my whole family going to a family reunion every few years driving from Schenectady NY to Orange MA over Rt2, my mother hated the hairpin turn but us kids loved it.

[trulyvintage]

I just uploaded this video
to my YouTube channel taken
at the Brown Family Farm in
Drury, Massachusetts where
nine generations have lived
since the 1840’s …

@ https://youtu.be/Up99G02qRPs?feature=shared





Jim