The Don S. McClure Show Black History - Leading Black Auto Maker 1915

The Don S. McClure Show Live-Black History Leading Black Auto maker 1915

Mr. Charles Richard Patterson, founder of what was to become the world's first Black family owned automobile manufacturing company. The head of this remarkable family was Charles (Rich) Patterson. He was born a slave on a West Virginia plantation and learned black­smithing skills that would prove useful through-out his life.

 The C.R. Patterson & Son Carriage Company of Greenfield, Ohio became the nation's, and the world's, first and only African-American founded and owned automobile manufacturing company. The company began as a manufacturer of horse drawn carriages and ended up as a manufacturer of buses for both urban transportation systems and rural school needs.  

In 1873 C.R. Patterson went into partnership with a white businessman, named  J.P. Lowe. ten years later into the very successful business venture J. P. Lowe died leaving the business and sole ownership to C.R Patterson. There are some who say C.R. purchased the entire company from J.P before he died.

The C.R. Patterson Co. turned out 28 differ­ent types of horse-drawn vehicles.

The product line included buggies, backboards, phaetons, rockaways and surreys — the era's most popu­lar wagons.

Patterson and his wife, the former Josephine Qutz, were the parents of four children: Kathe­rine, Dollie, Frederick Douglass, and Samuel. It was Fred who helped guide the company into the Automobile Age in the early 20th century.

Featured Music India Martinez -Voces Del Viento - Bridget Rideau, Ce Ce Winans, Chaka Khan, Candice Glover,Jessie J, Adesha.