Book Sparks Renewed Interest in Florence Wagon Company

By Scott Hollis
Published on September 1, 2002
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The Florence Wagon Company opened in 1889 in Florence, Ala., and soon became a well-known manufacture of what were called
The Florence Wagon Company opened in 1889 in Florence, Ala., and soon became a well-known manufacture of what were called "light running" Florence wagons.
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This pile of rusty iron and weathered wood was formmerly a Florence wagon. Restorer Terry Young of Florence, Ala., utilized these materials to recreate one of the vintage pieces.
This pile of rusty iron and weathered wood was formmerly a Florence wagon. Restorer Terry Young of Florence, Ala., utilized these materials to recreate one of the vintage pieces.
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At one time,
At one time, "light running" Florence wagons were produced in such abundance that the company was the second largest wagon manufactured in North America. "Light running" refers to how well the wagons rolled.
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Finding old wagons to restore was really hard at first, Willard South said, but now people often call his shop to report wagon
Finding old wagons to restore was really hard at first, Willard South said, but now people often call his shop to report wagon "sights." This is one of his restored pieces.
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A two-wheeled dump cart, made by the Florence Wagon Company.
A two-wheeled dump cart, made by the Florence Wagon Company.
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Edgar Thigsen, 92, looks over a restored Florece wagon; his father and grandfather both worked at the Florence Wagon Company.
Edgar Thigsen, 92, looks over a restored Florece wagon; his father and grandfather both worked at the Florence Wagon Company.
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Seven different styles of wagons are displayed at Willard South's Wagon Shop. They were restored by Willard and his crew.
Seven different styles of wagons are displayed at Willard South's Wagon Shop. They were restored by Willard and his crew.
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A four-wheeled box wagon, made by the Florence Wagon Company.
A four-wheeled box wagon, made by the Florence Wagon Company.
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A heavy-hauling dray, made by the Florence Wagon Company.
A heavy-hauling dray, made by the Florence Wagon Company.

Not many visible clues remain of the Florence Wagon Company factory at the end of South Richards Street in Florence, Ala.

The company opened in 1889 and at one time claimed to be North America’s second largest wagon maker, producing 15,000 horse-drawn wagons a year.

Today, though, the dilapidated walls of the factory are crumbling down to the vegetation-covered ground, and railroad tracks that once connected the firm to the rest of the world are abandoned and barely visible. The factory is gone – but not forgotten.

Book sparks interest in old wagon company

The Florence Wagon Company has undergone a renaissance of attention in recent years. Much of the renewed interest is the result of a book written by Florence resident and local historian Jane Johnson Hamm, titled Florence Wagon Co. Memories & More. The book chronicles the history and memories of the firm and its employees, and has inspired the formation of the Florence Wagon Club, the Florence Wagon Works Celebration parade and the establishment of the local South’s Wagon Shop, where wagons are actually restored.

Willard South is owner and operator of South’s Wagon Shop. “There aren’t that many people restoring wagons and not many of these steel-wheeled wagons are left,” Willard says. “We might be the only ones in the country restoring Florence wagons; as a hobby, there’s few people out there doing what we do.” Of the 15 wagons that Willard has restored so far, seven have been Florences. He’s also helped his brother John “Buck” South do two, and his cousin Rufus do one.

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