A timeline of companies that got their start in Shelby - Coming soon
Author: chrisdrain
Chicago Handle Bar Company
Chicago The Chicago Handle Bar Company got its start in Chicago, Illinois in March 1896. Three men - George W. Webster, Thomas W. Prindiville and Edward Walsh -capitalized the venture with $25,000. The first factory was a portion of the 7-story Lind Building on Market and Randolf Streets, but a fire in December damaged the… Continue reading Chicago Handle Bar Company
Inventor Leon A. Smith (1888-1972)
Leon A. Smith The Shelby Cycle Co. owes much of its success to factory superintendent Leon A. Smith. In 1924, after stockholders abandoned the company mired in debt, Smith and 18 others kept the factory open and began to turn a profit. By 1925, the company was producing complete bicycles. During the 30 years the… Continue reading Inventor Leon A. Smith (1888-1972)
Corn Husker Manufacturing Co. 1921
Area farmers were also inventors. In 1921, Joe Promenschenkel and partners Harry Kyle, Fred Yetzer and Edward Promenschenkel built and received 10 patents for a shock corn husker, which they displayed in the tractor building. The 5 hp engine could run on gasoline or kerosene and husk 250 bushels of corn a day. The incorporation… Continue reading Corn Husker Manufacturing Co. 1921
American Machine and Foundry
1953 - 1960 AMF, after buying the Shelby Cycle Co., moved the cycle operations to a warehouse on Whitney Avenue and the cycle offices to the Shelby Mutual building on Main Street, and began making automatic pin-spotters for bowling alleys in the factory. AMF moved to a new facility on Martin Drive and sold the… Continue reading American Machine and Foundry
Shelby Cycle History 