Turner-Todd Motor Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Turner-Todd Motor Company
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Turner-Todd Motor Company in 2009
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 455 St. Louis Street, Mobile, Alabama |
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| Built | 1926 |
| Architectural style | Early Commercial |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000460 |
| Added to NRHP | May 29, 2008 |
The Turner-Todd Motor Company Building is a cool old building in Mobile, Alabama. People often call it the Buick Building. This two-story building is made of brick and concrete. It was built in 1926 for the Turner-Todd Motor Company. This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 29, 2008. This means it's an important historical place!
Contents
Building's Past: A Look Back
The main part of the building was finished in 1926. Later, in 1940, a smaller section was added to the east side. The Turner-Todd Motor Company changed its name to Turner Motor Company in 1932. They closed their business in 1943.
Even after the car dealership closed, the building stayed busy with cars! From 1944 to 2002, it was home to different auto parts stores. The last one was CarQuest Auto Parts.
Today, the building is used by a company called Rogers & Willard, Inc. They develop properties. Also, a software company named Rural Sourcing, Inc. has been working there since November 2015.
Inside the Building: What It Looked Like
The Turner-Todd Motor Company building is a great example of an early car dealership. It shows how buildings were designed for the car industry back then.
When it was a car showroom, the main part of the building was open. This allowed lots of space to display cars. The showroom was near the front entrance. Offices were located at the back.
After 1943, when the dealership closed, the inside changed. A large service counter was added when it became an auto parts store. The walls in the service area were made of bare structural tile.
A really cool part of the first floor is a concrete ramp at the back. Cars could drive up this ramp to the second floor for storage! There's also a staircase for people to walk up. The second floor has strong wooden beams, about 6 inches thick. The walls are brick, and you can see the wooden roof supports on the ceiling.
Making It New Again: 2014-2015
In 2014, Rogers & Willard, Inc., who own the building, announced big plans. They wanted to make the building into modern offices. Maybe even a restaurant!
In September 2015, Rogers & Willard moved into their new office space. The main part of the first floor was completely updated. It now has space for about 140 employees. This was prepared for Rural Sourcing Inc. (RSI), who moved in during November 2015.
What Was Renovated?
Many things were updated during the renovation. All the window frames were fixed, and new glass was put in. The brick outside was repaired. New plumbing and utilities were installed. A bigger stairwell and an elevator were added. The sidewalks and parking lot were repaved. New heating and cooling systems were put in.
The inside spaces were built to create a modern workspace. The team made sure to respect the building's history. They followed rules for fixing up historic buildings. As a special touch, the original Buick logos on the building were restored. They now look just like they did originally, with white letters and blue details!
