PIONEER AUTO MUSEUM
and
ANTIQUE TOWN
Murdo, South Dakota
PIONEER AUTO MUSEUM and A. J. “Dick” Geisler are a singlethought in the minds of many who have visited and had the chance toknow the man with the ever-present cigar. A Valentine present to Germanimmigrant parents, Dick knew he and the family farm were notcut out for each other. He attended a rural school near New Ulm, Minnesotamuch like the one that is part of the museum. After high schoolhis mother’s plans for business college for her son were interrupted bya job selling for the Jewel Tea Company, and other sales ventures. In1923 he and a friend drove a Ford like the one to be seen in the FordGarage from Minnesota to California taking odd jobs along the way tofinance the trip.
In California he met and married Vivian Petersen who had traveledto California with her three sisters. The three Geisler children wereborn in Pasadena where “Dick” was operating the feed, hardware andappliance business he started in the height of the depression. In 1942Mr. Geisler traded his California home for a farm near Blunt, SouthDakota, sold the businesses and returned to the Midwest.
Crops had been nonexistent for some years prior to his move toSouth Dakota and the natives were amused at the West coast city dudewho busily went about planting wheat. The Geisler touch and idealconditions brought about the first of many banner years for crops inthe area.
In 1945 “Dick” bought a John Deere Chevrolet dealership in Murdoand moved his family once again. In 1950 he opened the Phillips 66gas station at the junction of U.S. 16 and 83. The embryo of thePIONEER AUTO MUSEUM took shape in the form of an old buggyand a 1913 Ford Peddler’s Wagon (now located in the Ford Garage)which were parked in front of the station and elicited considerable commentfrom tourists. As the years rolled by a vintage car here and anantique there were added to “Dick’s” small but growing collection.Dick’s son, John, made the first trip to pick up a car back east. Uponreturning, John told his father about other cars to be had. By ones andtwos the collection grew to where something had to be done to properlystore and show the cars.
Pub. by The Goin Company, Box 746
Mitchell, South Dakota 57301
MADE BY
DEXTER PRESS
WEST NYACK, NEW YORK
Pioneer Auto Museum
Murdo, South Dakota
- Buildings as Numbered
- 1. Main building and entrance. Autos and coin music machines.
- 2. Auto building.
- 3. Autos, motorcycles and bicycles building.
- 4. Auto storage shed.
- 5. 1910 Cretors popcorn wagon.
- 6. Souvenir and gift shop.
- 7. World’s largest concert band organ.
- 8. Church of the prairie.
- 9. 1911 Parker Brothers merry-go-round.
- 10. Henry’s Ford Garage.
- 11. Livery stable. <