The high productivity of Evansville factory workers in World War II continued for years after the war’s end. On March 25, 1953, the city’s Chrysler plant rolled out the millionth Plymouth automobile made in Evansville, with the plant manufacturing an average of 100,000 cars per year in the three years prior to that. The president of the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit joined local officials that evening at an open house celebrating the noteworthy milestone, an event attended by an enthusiastic crowd estimated at 30,000.
FOOTNOTE: We want to thank Patricia Sides, Archivist of Willard Library for contributing this picture that shall increase people’s awareness and appreciation of Evansville’s rich history. If you have any historical pictures of Vanderburgh County or Evansville please contact please contact Patricia Sides, Archivist Willard Library at 812) 425-4309, ext. 114 or e-mail her at www.willard.lib.in.us.
I remember when I attended St Boniface grade school in the 50″s I would see new Plymouths one after another going down Wabash Ave to the Mead -Johnson terminal to be loaded on barges. They were driven down to the terminal individually and a bus would pick up the drivers and take them back to the plant.
The only field trips I remember as a student in a VERY rural one room grade school was to the Chrysler plant and the Evansville Stockyards. Brand new cars and livestock were what this farm boy was all about.
Amazing! That was just 6 years before they left town.
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