Page 74 - Demo

72tive styling and state-of-the-art innov ations, the Studebaker Corp. unveiled its first car in 1911, and its last rolled off an assembly line in 1966.Today, very little of Studebaker%u2019s South Bend facility remains. I was drawn to photograph the 125-acre industrial complex on three different occasions. On my first visit, some of the colossal concrete buildings were in the process of being razed. It was obvious they%u2019d been built to last, and the demolition process appeared to be difficult and time consuming. However, when I returned a few months later, I found an expansive, barren, gravel lot.Building 78 (at right and page 74) disappeared just a few weeks after I shot it. It had once housed a press-room die shop, frame-assembly line, engineering department, and tool room. As I walked through the cavernous space, I could imagine the activity, the noise, the overhead crane loading railroad cars and transferring material to the various floors. Building 85 (below)%u2014which has, so far, escaped the wrecking ball%u2014was the foundry, with a capacity of pouring 400 tons of metal every day.Demolishing Studebakerver 200 different manufacturers have produced automobiles and trucks in Indiana over the last 100-plus years. Some companies came and went quickly, a few lasted for decades. Familiar names include Deusenberg, Auburn, Apperson, Marmon%u2014and Studebaker. Known for its distincOStudebaker Corp. (Building 85, Foundry)%u2014South Bend, St. Joseph Co. (807.01)Studebaker Corp. (Gate House)%u2014South Bend, St. Joseph Co. (806.08)Studebaker Corp. (top of Building 72)%u2014South Bend, St. Joseph Co. (683.11)