Vintage and Rustic, Rare Double Sided and Illuminated, Perpendicular to Wall Sign entitled “Dispensary”. This vintage door sign is circa 1930s and has been in my possession since the early 1980s. I stored it covered, protected, indoors, temperature controlled environment. Measurements are as close but approximate. Longest piece is top bar that attaches to wall via electric box: 27. Plate above actual “Dispensary” sign and below bar attached to wall: 25. Bottom of “Dispensary” sign 18.25. Hanging Height: 13.5. Largest area of width: 4.5. Direct Wire; Not Refurbished; Rustic Worn; Not Tested; 2 standard bulbs required. This vintage wall/door sign is circa 1930s and has been in my possession since the early 1980s. I obtained the sign when Clark Equipment Company Components Division remodeled a section of their offices in mid 1980’s. Like our sign, Clark Equipment Company was a fixture in Buchanan, Michigan. I worked for Clark at the time I obtained the sign. A close friend of mine who was a supervisor on the Fork Line explained the history of the company and the sign as highlighted below. I have confirmed many of the facts. Clark began in 1903 as the George R. In 1904, Rich Manufacturing moved to Buchanan, Michigan where the city’s chamber of commerce was offering free rent and cheap power to attract industry. Rich Manufacturing built a large production and office complex. The offices were the first corporate headquarters of Clark Equipment. In 1905, Rich Manufacturing hired Eugene Clark, a 33-year-old Illinois Steel employee and mechanical engineer, as a consultant to determine why the company was not making the profit the owners though it should. Clark discovered not only fundamental product engineering issues but also found fault with both the management and basic operations. Clark agreed to manage Rich Manufacturing if the owners would make him an equal partner. In late 1905 Eugene Clark moved to Buchanan and reorganized the company’s operations. In 1906 Clark changed the name of the company to Celfor Tool Company. In 1916, due to mergers and acquisitions, the Clark Equipment Company was formed. Throughout the 1920s, the company continued to grow in volume, product and profitability. In 1927 Clark began producing transmissions. The Dispensary sign was first hung in this remodel: Like other large production facilities during this industrial period, Clark employed thousands. There was a demand for in-house first responder services, including firefighting, emergency medical services, and even primary care, that the local community could not effectively provide. Company doctors and nurses were regularly on duty or on call. By the end of the 60s, Clark, now under the direction of Walter Schirmer, established a worldwide dealer network through which it marketed its diverse product lines. Under President Shirmers direction, the company refocused its resources on core businesses and divested product lines without strong long-term potential. But the recession of the 1980s forced Clark to retrench and cease some operations such as the crane and scraper business. This was also when Clark went through a major renovation of its downtown Buchanan Components Division offices and a corporate office relocation to a more modern building in northwest Buchanan. Since Buchanan as a community had grown and Clark as a production facility had shrunk, in-house medical services was no longer a necessity. This is when the Dispensary sign outlived its usefulness. I remember the remodel. Outdated space was converted for use by the emerging Information Technology group. During the 80 and 90’s Clark went through many changes. In 1995, Clark was acquired by Ingersoll Rand which effectively ended Clarks presence in the Fortune 500. Like the Dispensary sign, Clark Equipment Company is no longer a fixture in Buchanan Michigan. The item “Vintage DISPENSARY Rustic Double Sided Illuminated Wall Hanging Sign RARE” is in sale since Thursday, May 18, 2017. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Advertising\Merchandise & Memorabilia\Signs\Original\1930-69″. The seller is “twenty4dog1″ and is located in Mishawaka, Indiana. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Date of Creation: circa 1930’s
- Type of Advertising: Sign