Johnson Tire Repair Service

Johnson Tire Repair Service - 1920-1963 - Walter Johnson

1930 - March 5, 1930 OLD LANDMARK GIVES WAY TO IMPROVEMENT

FORMER CITIZEN HOME

Russell Easterday Gets Contract to Build Modern Structure for Johnson.

One of the old landmarks of the town disappeared last week when the Johnson Tire Shop building was demolished. This building once housed The Citizen, in fact, it was here that Culver ¹s first newspaper, The Marmont Herald, made its initial bow.

From that date until about 1915, Culver's newspaper was published in this building. Then it was moved into its present location and the building was used by several different firms, its last prestige being its housing of the local post of the American Legion and finally the location of Johnson¹s Tire Shop.

The contract for the new building to be erected on this location has been awarded to Russell Easterday, who built the new community building recently. It is planned to have the building ready for use by May 1.

The Solvol building on the rear of this lot was moved from its foundation bodily when the Cromley transfer company backed its large truck into the center of the structure, constructed braces and moved it out, taking the building as a unit to a new location.

1930 - July 9 - The latest in gasoline pumps or filling stations has been installed at Johnson's super service. three pumpes opertated by electricy have been placed in operation by theis progressive concern.

1931 - Mar 18 - The brick office of Johnson's Service Station is being enlarged to twice its former size.

1931 apr. 22 - The enlargement of the office of the Johnson Super Service Station has been completed and comfortable furniture has been installed for the convenience of the customers.

1942 - October 21 Johnson’s Super Service installs retreading machine.

1962 - June 13 - Johnson's Tire Service Signs Code Of Ethical Practice Walter Johnson, of Johnson's

Tire Service, of Culver, has signed the Code of Ethical Practices issued by the National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association. He is the 1,082nd tire dealer in the nation to sign the Code.

"This new retail tire industry Code of Ethical Practices is designed to help reduce confusion over tire purchasing, to identify ethical retail selling practices, and to provide consumers with another yardstick for judging where to buy tires," W. W. Marsh, Association Executive Secretary said....

1963 - Jan 7 - Johnson Tire Service Sells To Partnership

The Johnson Tire Service, one of Culver 's oldest businesses, was purchased Monday, Jan. 7, by the partnership of Harold Miller, Robert Miller and Wesley Schilling, it was announced by Walter Johnson, former owner. The new owners will retain the present firm name of Johnson Tire Service.

Mr. Johnson, who has no immediate plans, (only to take along rest according to him) started his business on Jan. 10, 1920. Coming from South Bend at the age of 19, he started a retreading and vulcanizing business in what is now the location of the Fingerhut Bakery and Strang's Barber Shop.

In 1920 tire retreading and vulcanizing was a new type of business, just getting started.

In the year of 1925 Mr. Johnson expanded to the location the firm now occupies. The building housing the business was constructed by Mr. Johnson. Added to the business at that time were all the services that are found today in a service station, such as gasoline, oil, lubrications , etc.

The retreading and vulcanizing business was also retained. In reminiscing about the early days of the business, Mr. Johnson says there were more horses and buggies in those days than automobiles and there were still hitch racks along the streets in Culver .

Harold Miller and Wesley Schilling, two of the new owners, formed a partnership during the time spent in the armed services in the year of 1947. In 1951 after being discharged from the service, the partners took over the management of the Watland Farms, located south of Culver.

Robert Miller joined the partnership a few years later. The partnership has operated the Watland Farms up to the present time.

The new owners, in a statement to The Citizen, plan to carry on the same policies and services which Mr. johnson maintained in his 43 years of business operation.