A piece of Gillett’s history has returned to the city and will be on display at the Gillett Area Historical Society’s Fall Festival. The “little red car,” once a familiar sight on Gillett streets, will be on display Oct. 6 at the carriage house of the GAHS museum.
The car dates back to 1925 when Nick Stromer was head of the commercial car manufacturers. He built a midget car for his two sons, Harold and Norman, in his spare time, spending two and a half years on the project. The small, red car was kept at the Stromer Garage on Main Street in Gillett.
It has a four-cylinder Saxon motor made in 1914, airplane wheels and tires, a Model T rear end and Chevrolet transmission. The frame was handmade out of angle iron, and the front axle was hand-forged.
The car was a regular attraction in Gillett parades for many years, ending in about 1966.
Now, because of Nick Stromer, grandson of the car’s maker, and his mother, Jane Stromer, the car is back in Gillett. Currently in the carriage house of the GAHS Museum, it is waiting to be refurbished so it can appear in the July 4, 2014, parade.
The GAHS Fall Festival will be held from 12-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the museum, 110 W. Main St. Wagon-ride tours of “old Gillett” will be provided, and guide Kurt Darrow will tell about the garages that once populated the city.
Old-time toys will also be on display. Individuals who want to add their favorite old toy to the display may bring it to the museum between 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.
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