This week my Uncle Matt passed away at age 91. I couldn't help but think in light of the recent announcements in the South Bend Tribune regarding the repurposing of the last remaining manufacturing plant on the Studebaker campus that my Uncle was the first tenant other than Studebaker in the oldest building at Studebaker's. A couple of years or so after Studebaker closed, he opened the then existing Matt's Antenna Service in the old plant security building, often referred to as the "Guard Shack." This was the time before cable service was available and most people had an antenna at their house. The Studebaker building was full of antennas and antenna towers when he operated there in the seventies. He eventually retired when cable television became the norm. However, in order to make room for his inventory, he saved a Studebaker parking lot sign with the intent of reusing the sheet metal, I'm sure. I acquired it when he moved into a retirement home. It's interesting because it obviously was created prior to 1956 and modified by someone using letter stencils when the corporation became known as Studebaker Packard. It was originally created by Stout Sign Company of St. Louis as can be seen clearly printed on the sign bottom.
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