Packer Motor Company Records
Finding aid created by Glendale Central Library History Room staff using RecordEXPRESS
Glendale Library, Arts and Culture. Glendale Central Library History Room
2021
222 E. Harvard Street
Glendale, California 91205
(818) 548-3749
libraryinfo@glendaleca.gov
http://www.glendalepubliclibrary.org/
Title: Packer Motor Company Records
Dates: 1916-2012
Collection Number: PMC
Creator/Collector:
Packer, Donald Hardy
Packer Motor Company, Inc.
Extent: 1.5 linear feet, 1 box
Repository:
Glendale Library, Arts and Culture. Glendale Central Library History Room
Glendale, California 91205
Abstract: The Packer Motor Company Records represent the activities of one of the first automobile dealerships in Glendale, California.
Selling Studebaker cars and trucks, the dealership’s main location was on Brand Boulevard in Glendale, expanding to other
locations in Eagle Rock and Burbank. The company was founded by Stephen C. Packer and Harry E. White in 1917 as the Packer
and White Auto Company. Packer became sole owner in 1921, changing the name to Packer Auto Company. The company’s name changed
to Packer Motor Company, Inc. when it was incorporated in 1924. Packer’s son Donald managed the company from 1920 until it
was sold in 1957. Members of the Packer family were prominent citizens of Glendale, supporting many community organizations
and institutions.
Language of Material: English
The collection is open for research use.
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred
to Glendale Central Library. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law beyond that allowed
by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially
exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Packer Motor Company Records. Glendale Library, Arts and Culture. Glendale Central Library History Room
Jarrett Anderson, 2011
Scope and Content of Collection
The Packer Motor Company Records include clippings, brochures, notes, notices, and photographs documenting various activities
of the company, including promotional events, anniversary celebrations, and recognition of service from the Studebaker Company.
Many of the photographs appear to be from a disassembled scrapbook, and document activities of members of the Packer family
as well as the business. Some of these activities involve Glendale Elks Lodge 1289 and the Glendale Motor Car Dealership
Association. The disassembled scrapbook pages include a photographic portrait of Stephen Packer, photographs of the dealerships
and showrooms, photographs of various Studebaker models, a price list, newspaper advertisements, and announcements. Of special
interest is the 1924 letter of incorporation, photographs of the Studebaker Economy Run and a showroom display of “70 Years
of Transportation” which includes a stage coach next to a 1922 Studebaker. In addition to biographical information about the
Packer business and family, the records also include newspaper clippings and a photograph of one of the company’s employees,
Robert Reeder, a B-17 pilot who was shot down in WWII and released by Russians from a German hospital. The records also include
loose newspaper clippings about the Packer family which were collected by the Glendale Public Library and have been incorporated
into the records.
Automobile dealers--California--Glendale
Studebaker automobile
Packer, Donald Hardy, 1896-1987
Packer, Dorothy Lee Weller, 1895-1993
Packer, Doris, 1904-1979
Packer, Stephen C., 1866-1929
Packer Family
Packer Motor Company, Inc.
Glendale (Calif.)--History
Los Angeles County (Calif.)
Paper Records
Photographic Materials