7. Stith Motors

7. Stith Motors

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7. Stith Motors, 503 McKinley Street

A Ford dealership located at 503 McKinley Street until 1960, Stith’s original cement foundation is still in evidence. A new owner closed the auto business and re-purposed the edifice to sell hardware and building materials. A three-bedroom residence was located adjacent to the store on the east side.

Stith Motors supplanted the original Owen Meal’s Ford dealership in Old Town. An entrepreneur and visionary, Meals sold cars at the onset of a change in transportation modes on the Richardson Highway away from dog and horse-drawn conveyances to 90% motorized vehicles. Meals also introduced Old Towners to the airplane.

Neither the Stith business nor residence relocated to New Valdez.