100-year-old Wagon Returns to Cameron

Descendants of the Shirts family still live in the Cameron Area

 

An over 100-year old Bain Wagon that was sold by Shirts, Ammon & Co. in Cameron around the turn of the 20th century, returned to Cameron on Tuesday, November 27.  The “Bain, Colorado Style Mountain Wagon” was the top of the line in its day. The basic models had just paint, the better models had paint and pinstripes and the top of the line had the dealers name, location and “THE BAIN” painted on them. This model has all those features. The owners, Gary and Nancy Mears of Odessa, have enjoyed the wagon for over a decade. They contacted contacted the Cameron Historical society with hopes that the old wagon could find a new home in the Cameron area.

 

Although the Museum displays many Cameron historic artifacts, the wagon is simply too big to fit in the

old depot, so a new, climate-controlled environment had to be found before the wagon could safely

come home. After researching the wagon, it was discovered that Shirts, Ammon and Co. had been in the 300 block of N Walnut.  The office was located where Dr. Carr’s Dentistry is now, and the storage lot was where O’Donnell Motors now resides.

When contacted both business owners were very supportive of the idea of bringing the wagon back. O’Donnell Motors was previously a new car dealership and has a large display room facing Walnut street that was used to show new car models.  Since it sits on the property that the old wagon originally would have been stored on before being sold, it seemed like the perfect place to display it now. Mr. O’Donnell offered to give the wagon a prominent place where it will be visible to everyone that drives or walks by the business.

Dr. Carr has experience in acquiring and managing historic artifacts and was enthusiastic about the project.  His support and expertise have been key in getting the wagon and creating ideas to make sure it stays local and available to the community.

 

Without the support from both Dr. Carr and Mike O’Donnell the wagon could have ended up in a private collection somewhere, never to be enjoyed by the community that was built by businesses like Shirts, Ammon and Co.  “Dr. Carr and Chief O’Donnell’s commitment to community history preservation, pride and spirit have been the energy that brings home this rare historic treasure”.

Descendants of the Shirts family still live in the Cameron Area.  Charles Ocker, retired owner of Ocker Insurance is one of them. In an interview many years ago, he recalled as a child he played on the old Shirts Implement Co. inventory with his cousin Sheldon Shirts.  The Shirts family were very successful in the area, going back to the 1870s. The business name has long since faded but this Bain Wagon will serve as a reminder to their success as well as the community’s commitment to honor the families that settled the community and helped it grow throughout the generations. James “Jim” Ocker was present to see the wagon unloaded.

The Historical Society plans to have some special display lighting and informational posters in place in time for the Christmas Lighting tour on Friday, December 7.  

 

Trending Video

My Cameron News

BB Highway
P.O. Box 498
Cameron, MO 64429
PHONE: (816) 632-6543
FAX: (816) 632-4508
Email: editor@mycameronnews.com

Privacy Policy
 

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to Breaking News feed