Today when you go to buy a new car or truck, you see big car dealerships with a vast number of vehicles for sale. In 1918, you could buy a new car from some of the dry goods stores in Effingham County.

In February 1918, an “Overland” touring car was being sold at the Pineora Trading Company. In that same month and year, another advertisement for Buick touring cars were being sold by A. E. Graham and W. T. Hurst, Effingham County dealers at Shawnee and Ardmore.  The O.M. Morgan Motor Company in Springfield was selling Ford cars and trucks in January 1920.  

In June 1920, P.J. Zeigler of Pineora advertised dry goods, shoes, hats, notions, groceries, hardware, stoves, farm implements, etc., plus he was a special representative for Chevrolet cars.

Ford touring cars were advertised in December 1923 at a price of $295 at the H.N. Ramsey Motor Company in Springfield. This dealership was located in the building now occupied by the present day Springfield City Hall on Laurel Street.

These old advertisements tell their own story.

This article was written by Norman V. Turner of Historic Effingham Society.