Car on pole down, but may return By Katherine Calos Media General News Service Atlee’s car on a pole has come down, but possibly not for long. Regarded as a nonconforming sign under Hanover County zoning laws and considered a landmark by those who appreciate its 50-year stand on U.S. 301, the Crosley wagon was removed from its perch on Monday, Aug. 2. A work crew used a crane and steel beams to support the car while it was cut from the pole, said Lea Dunham, publisher of an online vintage auto magazine called Still Runnin’. The Crosley, with no engine or drive train, was lowered onto a trailer and will stay at the business while it is refurbished, Dunham said. Originally, the car was put up to mark the site of Gordon Lawhorn’s auto-salvage business with a red and blue color scheme. Now rusted and yellow, it advertises International Auto Recycling. Atlee Auto Service, which is moving to the International Auto site, can apply to amend its proffers and return the car to an elevated status, said Supervisor Charles D. McGhee of the Henry District. “The car has to come down so they can get their business open,� McGhee said. McGhee said there is support on the board “to get them to where they need to be.� Richard Hollins, one of the owners of Atlee Auto Service, said he hopes to have the Crosley refurbished and returned this fall after getting county approval through amended proffers. The cost has not been determined. “We got to get some approved engineered plans for resetting it,� he said. “Depending on the cost, I may have to do some type of fundraiser to get some
funds to reattach it. “A lot of people really want to see the car stay there at that location.� He said he hopes that some of them will donate work or money to help it happen. At the July 28 meeting of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, Dunham called the car “one of our great American roadside oddities.� She said she had collected more than 1,000 signatures on a petition supporting the Crosley and had received e-mails of
concern from around country. “The Crosley Club is out of their mind that you might take it down . . . . “The community and myself would like to thank you for allowing the little Crosley to stay. It is a piece of history we all treasure more than you were aware.� Crosleys were subcompact Melody Kinser/file photo cars manufactured in Indiana from 1939 to 1952. The car on A familiar sight on U.S. 301 has see CAR, pg. 17 `
been removed, but the car on the pole at the new location of Atlee Auto Service may return.
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The Mechanicsville Local
August 11, 2010
15