On June 12-14, Chapter 17 of the International Harvester Collectors Club (IHCC) hosted a RED POWER SHOWDOWN on the Bloomsburg [PA] Fairgrounds. Buses ran to Frank Bartlow's IH dealership about 15 minutes north off Route 42 in Millville. And that has quite a story.
After World War II, the International Harvester Corporation wanted the general public to recognize IH dealerships. Raymond Loewy designed a distinctive building. IHC called it a "prototype." Frank Bartlow had established his dealership in 1938. Construction of a "prototype" building began on the first day of deer hunting season in 1946. It opened in October, 1947. The dealership closed in 1972. This building is one of the few remaining.
Chapter 17 President Ben Trapani explained, "These places were the hub of news in town. If it was raining, farmers came to the dealership not to buy parts but to shoot the bull. It was an important part of the community in those days. It was like a social club. Our intent is to keep this as part of the community."
