Speedometers were not standard in automobiles until about 1910. In 1907, anticipating the trend of adding them, men from the Milton and Danville area incorporated to form the Star Speedometer Company. The company manufactured and sold speedometers out of the Rempe Clock building in Danville, before moving to the Shimer building in Milton in 1911. The 1912/13 Star Speedometer Catalog featured photos of prominent business men Robert Wilson [Wilson Fly Nets] and Fredric Godcharles [owner of the Miltonian] in their cars using star speedometers.
1908
The Star Speedometer Company was incorporated March 18th 1907, by W.W. Dudley, W.R. Dudley, Louis A Greeleafe, W.H. Hitchler, and E.S. Shimer. The company was organized "to manufacture and sell speed ometers, odometers, clocks, automobile specialties, and other articles of like character" The company began in the old Rempe Clock factory in Danville, and in 1911, the company moved to the Shimer building in Milton.
The Rempe building was used by Star Speedometer, in Danville Pa
The Rempe Manufacturing Company, or Rempe Clock Factory, in Danville PA, was purchased by J.W. Lore, who there manufactured a self winding clock. After a time, the factory ceased opertion, and was then leased by The Star Speedometer Company, who "began producing speedometers and odometers for the then revolutionary automobile."
The Rempe Building today
475 Railroad Street, Danville
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Pierce Great Arrow, the property of R.M. & W.W. Wilson, Milton PA
Equipped with a Star Speedometer
The Wilsons owned the Fly Net Factory in Milton
The Pierce Great Arrow in front of the Wilson Mansion on North Front Street In Milton
White Steamer, the property of F.A. Godchalres, Milton PA, equipped with a Star Speedometer
Frederic Godcharles owned the Miltonian, Milton's newspaper
He was also chairman of the Pennsylvania Motor Federation Touring Committee, in 1909
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On January 3rd 1911, the Star Speedometer plant moved from Danville to Milton.
"Good news for sure, The Star Speedometer Company of Danville, has moved its machinery and equipment to Milton and the same is installed in the Shimer building, corner Filbert and Race streets.
This building has recently been remodeled to accommodate the new industry and the shipment of machinery was made last Saturday. It is expected by this move that the output of this excellent speedometer, for which there is great demand, will be increased and as the stock is held by local citizens, the manufacturing will receive personal supervision.
The instrument has been proven a success and has been sold all over the world. This plant adds one more home grown industry to our list and one which will bring Milton into prominence wherever an automobile is used.
The officers of the Company are: Elmer S. Shimer, president; William B. Chamberlin, vice president; W. R. Dudley, secretary and treasurer. The directors are the above named officers and William B. Godcharles, William W. Anspach and Karchner, of this place and W. W. Dudley, of Lancaster. "The Miltonian, January 6, 1911
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The Milton Location
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The 1913 Sanborn fire map shows us the location of the Shimer building - bordering Race street and running along side of Filbert Street. Filbert Street today runs approximately along the route of the old canal in Milton.
This 1889 photo shows a canal boat on the canal, which would today be Filbert Street. The Shimer building is on the left.
The Shimer Building, on Race and Filbert Streets
The building today.
Patent Application for a new mechanism for the speedometer, filed by Elmer Shimer, March 12 1913
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1914
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READ MORE |
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On Monday May 6th 1912, two gypsy girls robbed Mr W.R. Dudley, manager of the Star Speedometer Company.
The 1912-1913 Star Speedometer Catalog
Find it online in a pdf file, here:
Price List from the 1912 Catalog
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