Ladendorf Motors - Revision history

John Lavalie at 20:17, 20 July 2026

2026-07-20T20:17:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:17, 20 July 2026
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	File:Ladendorf Olds calendar 1985.jpg\|1985 calendar		File:Ladendorf Olds calendar 1985.jpg\|1985 calendar
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	~~<center>'''~~A history of Ladendorf Motors~~'''</center>~~		==A history of Ladendorf Motors==
	<center>~~'''~~by the [[Chamber of Commerce]], July 1984~~'''~~</center>		<center>by the [[Chamber of Commerce]], July 1984</center>

	Our founder, William J. Ladendorf, was born in Des Plaines, Illinois in the early 1890's. His father was employed by the Northwestern Railroad. Bill was one of six children. Because of his fondness for repairing new-fangled autos, Bill made this his vocation.		Our founder, William J. Ladendorf, was born in Des Plaines, Illinois in the early 1890's. His father was employed by the Northwestern Railroad. Bill was one of six children. Because of his fondness for repairing new-fangled autos, Bill made this his vocation.

	During World War I, he was assigned to an Army truck transportation company in France. After the war, Bill returned home to Des Plaines and worked as a mechanic and auto/truck salesman. He married Clara who truly could be called the co-founder and partner of our starting company. In the early 1920's, they started an auto/truck repair business in a garage located on an alley east of [[Center Street]] near [[Ellinwood Street]] in Des Plaines. Bill's large and growing clientele urged him to take on a line of automobiles so they could buy and be serviced locally by him. In May, 1926, Bill signed his first selling agreement with Oldsmobile. In only two years, the fast growing company moved to new and larger quarters at 1628 Rand Road, Des Plaines. Then, with a big mortgage, came the "Great Depression" which almost wiped Bill and Clara out of business. To add another problem, the Rand Road/Des Plaines River Bridge ~~col- lapsed~~, closing the highway past the dealership for two years. Even with the bridge out and the highway closed, many loyal customers found their way in for sales and service via the back roads.		During World War I, he was assigned to an Army truck transportation company in France. After the war, Bill returned home to Des Plaines and worked as a mechanic and auto/truck salesman. He married Clara who truly could be called the co-founder and partner of our starting company. In the early 1920's, they started an auto/truck repair business in a garage located on an alley east of [[Center Street]] near [[Ellinwood Street]] in Des Plaines. Bill's large and growing clientele urged him to take on a line of automobiles so they could buy and be serviced locally by him. In May, 1926, Bill signed his first selling agreement with Oldsmobile. In only two years, the fast growing company moved to new and larger quarters at 1628 Rand Road, Des Plaines. Then, with a big mortgage, came the "Great Depression" which almost wiped Bill and Clara out of business. To add another problem, the Rand Road/Des Plaines River Bridge collapsed, closing the highway past the dealership for two years. Even with the bridge out and the highway closed, many loyal customers found their way in for sales and service via the back roads.

	Bill's son, Don, came with the company in October 1945 on his separation from the United States Army Air Corps after World War II. Don became president of Ladendorf Motors, Inc., in January 1965.		Bill's son, Don, came with the company in October 1945 on his separation from the United States Army Air Corps after World War II. Don became president of Ladendorf Motors, Inc., in January 1965.
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	Don signed a franchise agreement with Oldsmobile to become the dealer and began looking for a suitable plot for expansion.		Don signed a franchise agreement with Oldsmobile to become the dealer and began looking for a suitable plot for expansion.

	Don and Sal DiMucci made an agreement for ~~approxi- mately~~ 9 acres of land at 77 Rand Road. Sal constructed the buildings, designed by Architect Louis Heubner. At that time, this was one of the largest Oldsmobile ~~dealer- ship~~ facilities in the world. Judy Ford, Miss America 1969, helped celebrate the grand opening on Jan. 13, 1969, together with about 5,000 people.		Don and Sal DiMucci made an agreement for approximately 9 acres of land at 77 Rand Road. Sal constructed the buildings, designed by Architect Louis Heubner. At that time, this was one of the largest Oldsmobile dealership facilities in the world. Judy Ford, Miss America 1969, helped celebrate the grand opening on Jan. 13, 1969, together with about 5,000 people.

	David Ladendorf took over as general manager in Jan. 1979.		David Ladendorf took over as general manager in Jan. 1979.
	[[Category:Car dealerships]]		[[Category:Car dealerships]]
	[[Category:Rand Road]]		[[Category:Rand Road]]

John Lavalie at 20:14, 20 July 2026

2026-07-20T20:14:41Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap|1628 Rand Road}} and {{LinkToMap|77 Rand Road}}.  It was run by William Ladendorf.
+'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap|1628 Rand Road}} and {{LinkToMap|77 Rand Road}}.  It was run by [[William Ladendorf]].
 <gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
 Ladendorf Olds 1963.jpg
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 File:Ladendorf Olds calendar 1985.jpg|1985 calendar
 </gallery>
 [[Category:Car dealerships]]
 [[Category:Rand Road]]

John Lavalie at 17:25, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T17:25:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:25, 27 February 2026
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	'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|1628 Rand Road}} and {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}. It was run by William Ladendorf.		'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|1628 Rand Road}} and {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}. It was run by William Ladendorf.
	[[File:Ladendorf 1966.jpg~~\|thumb\|center\|650px~~\|1966 advertisement]]		<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
	~~{{image table~~		Ladendorf Olds 1963.jpg
	~~\|[[~~File:Saga '80 Ladendorf.png~~\|thumb\|400px~~\|1980 drivers education class at [[Maine North]]]]		File:Ladendorf 1966.jpg\|1966 advertisement
	~~\|[[~~File:Ladendorf Motors ~~1983~~.jpg\|~~thumb\|left\|365px\|1983~~ advertisement]]		File:Saga '80 Ladendorf.png\|1980 drivers education class at [[Maine North]]
	}}		File:Ladendorf Motors.jpg\|1981 advertisement
	~~{{image table~~		File:Ladendorf Motors 1983.jpg\|1983 advertisement
	~~\|[[~~File:Ladendorf Motors.jpg\|~~thumb\|left\|350px\|1981~~ advertisement]]		File:Ladendorf Olds calendar 1985.jpg\|1985 calendar
	~~\|[[~~File:Ladendorf Olds calendar 1985.jpg~~\|thumb\|left\|450px~~\|1985 calendar]]		</gallery>
	}}
	[[Category:Car dealerships]]		[[Category:Car dealerships]]
	[[Category:Rand Road]]		[[Category:Rand Road]]

John Lavalie at 19:38, 15 December 2025

2025-12-15T19:38:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:38, 15 December 2025
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	\|[[File:Ladendorf Motors 1983.jpg\|thumb\|left\|365px\|1983 advertisement]]		\|[[File:Ladendorf Motors 1983.jpg\|thumb\|left\|365px\|1983 advertisement]]
	}}		}}
	[[File:Ladendorf Motors.jpg\|thumb\|left\|350px\|1981 advertisement]]		{{image table
			\|[[File:Ladendorf Motors.jpg\|thumb\|left\|350px\|1981 advertisement]]
			\|[[File:Ladendorf Olds calendar 1985.jpg\|thumb\|left\|450px\|1985 calendar]]
			}}
	[[Category:Car dealerships]]		[[Category:Car dealerships]]
	[[Category:Rand Road]]		[[Category:Rand Road]]

John Lavalie at 16:48, 28 October 2025

2025-10-28T16:48:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:48, 28 October 2025
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	'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|~~1626~~ Rand Road}} and {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}. It was run by William Ladendorf.		'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|1628 Rand Road}} and {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}. It was run by William Ladendorf.
	[[File:Ladendorf 1966.jpg\|thumb\|center\|650px\|1966 advertisement]]		[[File:Ladendorf 1966.jpg\|thumb\|center\|650px\|1966 advertisement]]
	{{image table		{{image table

John Lavalie at 16:36, 28 October 2025

2025-10-28T16:36:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:36, 28 October 2025
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	'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}.		'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|1626 Rand Road}} and {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}. It was run by William Ladendorf.
	[[File:Ladendorf 1966.jpg\|thumb\|center\|650px\|1966 advertisement]]		[[File:Ladendorf 1966.jpg\|thumb\|center\|650px\|1966 advertisement]]
	{{image table		{{image table

John Lavalie at 21:08, 24 October 2025

2025-10-24T21:08:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:08, 24 October 2025
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	'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}.		'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}.
			[[File:Ladendorf 1966.jpg\|thumb\|center\|650px\|1966 advertisement]]
	{{image table		{{image table
	\|[[File:Saga '80 Ladendorf.png\|thumb\|400px\|1980 drivers education class at [[Maine North]]]]		\|[[File:Saga '80 Ladendorf.png\|thumb\|400px\|1980 drivers education class at [[Maine North]]]]

John Lavalie at 19:59, 22 September 2025

2025-09-22T19:59:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 22 September 2025
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	\|[[File:Ladendorf Motors 1983.jpg\|thumb\|left\|365px\|1983 advertisement]]		\|[[File:Ladendorf Motors 1983.jpg\|thumb\|left\|365px\|1983 advertisement]]
	}}		}}
			[[File:Ladendorf Motors.jpg\|thumb\|left\|350px\|1981 advertisement]]
	[[Category:Car dealerships]]		[[Category:Car dealerships]]
	[[Category:Rand Road]]		[[Category:Rand Road]]

John Lavalie at 15:30, 19 August 2025

2025-08-19T15:30:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:30, 19 August 2025
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	'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}.		'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap\|77 Rand Road}}.
	[[File:Ladendorf Motors 1983.jpg\|thumb\|left\|~~450px~~\|1983 advertisement]]		{{image table
			\|[[File:Saga '80 Ladendorf.png\|thumb\|400px\|1980 drivers education class at [[Maine North]]]]
			\|[[File:Ladendorf Motors 1983.jpg\|thumb\|left\|365px\|1983 advertisement]]
			}}
	[[Category:Car dealerships]]		[[Category:Car dealerships]]
	[[Category:Rand Road]]		[[Category:Rand Road]]

John Lavalie: Created page with "'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap|77 Rand Road}}. 1983 advertisement Category:Car dealerships Category:Rand Road"

2025-08-19T14:19:24Z

Created page with "'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap|77 Rand Road}}. thumb|left|450px|1983 advertisement Category:Car dealerships Category:Rand Road"

New page

'''Ladendorf Motors''' was a car dealership at {{LinkToMap|77 Rand Road}}.
[[File:Ladendorf Motors 1983.jpg|thumb|left|450px|1983 advertisement]]
[[Category:Car dealerships]]
[[Category:Rand Road]]