Keeping Up Appearances

Prior to the advent of multi-lane divided highways, highways like #43 were major east-west routes. If you were a good mechanic, opening a garage along such a road would guarantee that you would not starve. Hundreds of these garages opened through the 1920's and 1930's. Even as late as the 1960's, customer loyalty kept a number of these enterprises going in spite of the increased reliability of vehicles, and the decreasing traffic on these roads.

One such garage was Pat Hotte Auto outside Monkland. As I was driving past I noticed the front of the building peeking out of the trees. When I stopped I found that the front was about the only intact part left of the building. The back has collapsed, as had a trailer off to the side where Pat had obviously been living.

The contents appear to be all there in both cases. The latest dated item I found was for 1972.

update 16 Aug, 2015 from fiso*

Demolished