The Route 66 Chick

Here's #6 in Edwardsville's Route 66 history - this article just ran in the July issue of The Prairie Land Buzz. Edwardsville Garage and the Ford Dealerships Do you ever drive by a modern business and wonder what historic building used to stand on that spot? If you've asked that question when passing the The Bank of Edwardsville on W. Vandalia Street in Edwardsville, this article might help. It's the story of one of the business buildings that previously occupied that block. The Edwardsville Garage and Auto Supply Company was established at 306 W. Vandalia Street in 1913 by Thomas Fahnestock, Walter Kriege, and Olin Giese. Giese took over the location as sole owner in September 1915 and later renamed the business Giese Motor Company. Fahnestock became a chauffeur and Kriege went on to manage the Imperial Bakery. Giese operated his motor company for a few more years, but in 1920, he acquired the Kriege Building on Main Street. There he opened the Oh Ge...