🧱 FJ Oldsmobile Garage

 Address:  713 North River Street, Hot Springs, SD 57747

Built:  1913

First Occupant:  Ford Garage

Current Occupant:  Happy Joe’s Bows Pet Grooming, Scobie Kombucha Brewery, Bulk Food Market, Minnekahta Ironworks, Appliance repair shop

Architect:  Martin Brothers

Contractor:  Joe Marty and John Fuson

Sandstone Quarry:  Evans Quarry

Architectural Style:  Large-scale early auto garage, 120 feet by 75 feet, with cement floors, stone walls, and a metal roof built without interior pillars to allow open floor space. The symmetrical front features a stepped parapet, large glass storefront windows, and a central driveway entrance flanked by an office and supply display room. The rear façade includes a medium-pitched gable roof and two large sections of three-tiered windows. Built to be fireproof, the garage featured electric lighting throughout and a hot water heating plant — considered state-of-the-art for its time.

📜 Historical Overview

The rise of automobile tourism in Hot Springs began in 1911, when the first motorists arrived in the “Carlsbad of America.” By 1912, their numbers had tripled, and in 1913, demand for service facilities spurred construction of a garage to Ford Motor specifications.

Contractors Joe Marty and John Fuson completed the building in early 1914. At the rear, space was designated for a power lathe and other machinery, while the front showcased the latest Ford automobiles through expansive glass windows. On March 20, 1914, the Ford Garage opened with about a dozen cars in stock and a full railcar load on the way.

In May 1919, Hot Springs Motor purchased the adjacent Union Hotel (Wesch-Oak) building, consolidating its presence on River Street. The garage would go on to serve multiple automotive brands over the decades.

From the 1950s to the 1970s, it operated as a Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and GMC dealership under the Larvie family, later known as F & J Larvie. Cal Larvie invested years into restoration, including a new roof and interior, and later operated a Black Hills Gold and wood products store.

In 2022, the property was purchased by Mike Sommer, president of Save Our Sandstone, and continues to house multiple storefronts, workshops, and artisan businesses.

📍 Modern Era

Today, the former FJ Oldsmobile Garage remains one of the most significant early automotive structures in the Black Hills, continuing its role as a commercial hub while retaining its original sandstone and steel craftsmanship.

🔍 Research Notes & Requests

Save Our Sandstone is still seeking:

• Original Ford Motor Co. specifications and plans for the building
• Historic photographs of the showroom and service bays
• Documentation of restoration work in the Wynia era

QR Code Info:  Built in 1913 to Ford Motor Co. specs, the FJ Oldsmobile Garage served as a premier auto dealership for Ford, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and GMC. Designed for open floor space and fireproof durability, it was state-of-the-art for its time. Now fully restored, the historic sandstone structure houses local businesses and workshops, continuing its legacy as a bustling River Street landmark.