Ransom Olds' Birthplace Now a NAPA Auto Parts Store

I receive very little feedback overall on RF Cafe content. Surprisingly, though, the 'Day in History' feature on the homepage generates the most e-mails either due to a typo by me or someone commenting on a particular item. It's nice to know they're read. Website visitor Steve Gilbert just wrote regarding Oldsmobile founder Ransom E. Olds' entry from August 26. Says Steve, "Ransom Olds was born just a few blocks away from where your friends at Tegam have their business located in Geneva, Ohio. Fittingly the site of Ransom Olds' birthplace is today an auto parts store."

Ransom Olds' Birthplace Now a NAPA Auto Parts Store (Google Street View image)

Ransom E. Olds Historical Marker (waymarking.com image)

A quick Google search turned up a historical marker located on Old's property, and it gave the GPS coordinates. Plugging those into Google Maps placed me right at the spot, and then a Street View look produced the photo shown above the historic marker. Sure enough, there is a NAPA Auto Parts store there now, so as Steve says, it is definitely fitting if not also ironic (intentionally or coincidentally).

Oldsmobile, BTW, went out of business in 2004. Government Motors still maintains the Oldsmobile.com website even though the product line has been gone for over a decade.

Posted August 27, 2015