That's a dirty shame. It's amazing how we in the US tear our history down without thinking twice about it.
I can't open that link because it says Bad Gateway. Is this a recent link, because I found an article from July 2017 with the same title: Historical Landmark in Oil City Slated for Demolition Scott Shindledecker | July 24, 2017 OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — One of Oil City’s most venerable buildings will soon cease to exist. The Weaver Buick Garage is scheduled to be demolished in August and with it a cherished piece of the city’s history. Susan Williams, the Executive Director of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, explained that the chamber had been there for 20 years before moving out at the end of May. According to an announcement on the chamber’s website venangochamber.org, Williams wrote that “While this has been considered a possibility for the last few years, it is evident that a move at this time would clear the way for development of the tract of land where the chamber offices are currently located, at 41 Main Street in Oil City, on Route 8 along the Oil City bypass.” “This has been a great location for the chamber since 1997, providing high visibility for the organization and convenience for our members, the community, and visitors. Timing is such that we have chosen to relocate into a temporary space for now while considering the best permanent location for our office,” Williams said. The chamber has rented its offices from Jack Roser, also the owner of Oil City Automotive and RPM (Roser’s Premium Motorcars). Oil City Automotive relocated to the adjacent property in 2016, a new, state of the art building. “I recognize the historical relevance and memories these buildings hold for the community,” said Roser in a statement on the chamber website. “However, the buildings are in disrepair, and their age has become a liability. It will serve the community best to raze the buildings and make way for future development.” Roser said he loves the tradition of the building, knowing it has serviced vehicles from 1898 to 2015. Roser’s history with the Weaver Garage spans four decades, so he understands what it means to those whose ties run much deeper. “I went to work for Mickey McCarthy in 1981 when I was 17. I started out on the wash rack and worked my way up from there,” Roser said. “When I started there, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I wasn’t interested in college or the service. Little did I know that the work was a building block as well as a stepping stone for me,” Roser said. Roser wants to see part of the building kept for historical purposes. “We are planning on removing one of the Weaver stones that was used to build it and having a plaque made to commemorate the history. I’m not sure where we’ll display it, maybe the historical society, but it’s history that needs to be preserved,” Roser said. Roser said a local demolition crew will begin its work sometime in August and then he will look to develop the property. “There’s been interest from three or four convenience stores, an older living facility, possibly a used car lot, but we’ll see,” Roser said. Recently, Sarah Myles, of Jazz Lens Photography, had the opportunity to spend a few hours inside the garage and took some iconic photos, which she shared on her Facebook page jazzlensphotography and exploreVenango.com. The photos evoked many emotions from dozens of posters, some sad to see the building slated for demolition, others sharing fond memories of family members who used to work in the building or for those who stored antique, classic or prized vehicles there. The building was also the past home of Oil City Chemical, Oil City Automotive and other businesses. At one point, the Weaver Buick-Pontiac dealership was referred to as the “World’s Oldest Buick Dealership” for nearly a century. C.H. Weaver, the man who started it all, signed a contract with Buick on April 15, 1903, to begin the dealership. The great, great granddaughter of C.H. Weaver, Shelly (McCarthy) Harbert, submitted a brief history of the Weaver Garage Company, from letters and photos she had in her possession. One letter, dated March 15, 1963, was from H.A. Clark, the Sales Promotion Manager at Buick Motor Division, General Motors Corporation, Flint, Mich. It was addressed to Thomas E. McCarthy, President of the Weaver Buick Company, who was Harbert’s grandfather. Clark wrote that E.R. Snell, manager of Buick’s Organization and Analysis Department, which handles dealer records, told Clark that, to the best of his knowledge, Weaver Buick Company is indeed the oldest Buick dealership in the United States. Here is Shelly (McCarthy) Harbert’s report: I am submitting a brief history and a few samples of the photos and letters I have in my possession documenting the beginning of Buick sales and four generations of a family founded in GM. Weaver Garage Company was founded in 1898 by C.H. Weaver, an early pioneer in the automotive industry. For several years prior to establishing the company, “Curt” Weaver had succeeded in building the first car to travel the streets of Oil City, PA. It was his ambition to erect a plant in Oil City and build cars. When he was unable to promote the necessary capital, Weaver turned his attention to servicing cars produced by other manufacturers. At that time there were no service stations or repair shops, and a breakdown meant waiting for a factory mechanic to come and make the necessary repairs. The Weaver Garage Company was established, and repair work was carried on in a small storeroom. With the repair shop came sales and on April 15, 1903, he signed a contract with Buick. In 1917, C.H. Weaver formed a partnership with his son, Earl Weaver and his son-in-law, John D. McCarthy. In 1936, John D. McCarthy expanded the original garage and installed modern ramps to meet the increasing demands of a growing industry. In 1953, the dealership was owned and operated by John D. McCarthy’s son, C.H. Weaver’s grandson, Thomas E. McCarthy. He graduated with a degree in engineering and spent six years working for the Allison Division of General Motors where he worked in the experimental test department and design section. In 1976, Thomas E. McCarthy received the Pennsylvania “Dealer of the Year” award and was recognized nationally by winning the Time Quality Dealer Award. That same year, John D. McCarthy II took ownership as the fourth generation to operate Weaver Buick Company on Main Street. “Mickey” McCarthy served the local community until his death in 1992, bringing to a close an era as the “The World’s Oldest Buick Dealership.” After McCarthy’s death, Roser worked with Mickey’s wife, Donna, to purchase the properties from the family. In 1993, Roser opened Oil City Automotive at the existing property on Main Street, followed by RPM in 2002. For Shelly Harbert, her wishes are that the memorabilia she has collected over the years will be preserved in the area. “It’s an important part of the history of the area, and I just want it preserved.”
