By Michael Bushnell
Northeast News
September 7, 2016

Following Labor Day, we publish this rare Real Photo postcard and dedicate it to those who drive the wheels of our economy.

The postcard was published by the North American Postcard Company of Kansas City as an advertising piece, and shows four three-ton trucks sold to various Kansas City business entities around the turn of the 20th century (circa 1907-08). The rig on the far left was owned by the Kansas City Structural Steel Company. Coming out of the garage is the truck owned by the advertiser, Kansas City Auto Truck Company.

Next is the “new” City Ice truck. City Ice was an extremely successful business and had several locations throughout Kansas City, Omaha, St. Joseph and Topeka, Kan. There was even a location at 7401 Independence Ave. Plant Number 3, the “Sheffield plant,” was built in 1912 and remodeled in 1927-28.

Last in line is the truck on the far right owned by Townley Hardware Company, originally located at Second and Walnut streets. At the time, these new Frayer-Miller “blower cooled” motor trucks were something to promote. Billed as the “year-round trucks,” the “blower cooling” made it possible to operate Frayer-Miller trucks anytime, instead of just during warmer months. This card was never mailed.