Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
REO SALES COMPANY SHOWROOM
REO SALES COMPANY SHOWROOM. Ransom Eli Olds founded the REO Motor Car Company in 1904 after leaving the Olds Motor Works Company (Oldsmobile) which he also founded. When he left Oldsmobile, he was legally prevented from using his name (Olds) for another auto company, so he chose to use his initials (REO).
By the fall of 1904, the new company began producing its first vehicles. REO produced a variety of cars and trucks (Speedwagons) until 1936 when car production ceased due to the effects of the depression. Through a series of mergers, etc., REO trucks (under names like Diamond REO, REO Giant, etc.) continued to be produced until the 1990's.
This automobile sales location was at 420 Central Avenue.
The 1929 Dubuque City Directory listed 414-30 Central.