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 On
the move with Conroe's Weisinger-Buckalew Chevrolet Dealership Building
by
Brad Meyer
Of Conroe’s many historical structures, few are more representative of
the community’s transition from rural outpost to a bustling city of
opportunity than the old Weisinger- Buckalew Chevrolet building.
The site, at the corner of Frazier and Phillips Streets, has been home
to a number of thriving businesses that helped define the lives and
lifestyles of Conroe residents for generations. Nearly 75 years after it
was built, the structure continues to serve the community.
The old Western Auto location at the corner of
Frazier and Phillips streets in downtown Conroe circa 1975. The
building originated at the Weisinger-Buckalew Chevrolet
dealership. Western Auto was in the building until 2006, now a
tire and collision shop reside there.
Winifred B. Weisinger opened his Chevrolet dealership on the site in
March 1939. Active in a wide range of civic and community affairs,
Weisinger was an entrepreneur who was involved in Conroe’s first radio
station, KMCO, and president of the Conroe Community Hotel Corporation
that built an early hotel in Conroe on North Frazier Street.
The Weisinger family were pioneers in the early automotive industry,
with multiple dealerships operated by family members in Montgomery
County.
His daughter, Winifred Ann Spencer, recalled being given access to a new
demonstrator vehicle every year after getting her license during high
school.
“I always got a convertible and really liked the ones with the spare
tire on the back of the trunk,” said Spencer. “We’d go home from school
for lunch with friends or just drive around Conroe – it was so much
fun.”
Former Conroe Mayor Mickey Deison recalls Weisinger was a highly
respected and kind-hearted businessman in Conroe. When he returned home
from the U.S. Navy in 1954, he took a job at the Chevrolet dealership
until he could enroll in college.
“I was absolutely the worst salesman in the world,” declared Deison. “I
discovered very quickly that a career in sales was not in my future.”
A new Conroe fire truck in front of the old
Weisinger-Buckalew Chevrolet circa 1951.
The bulk of vehicles being sold were small trucks and four-door sedans,
Deison recalled. But a new 1955 two-door coupe was a very popular
vehicle with the public – but Deison said he had trouble closing the
deal on even the most popular car in town.
“I finally got some help from Mr. Weaver the general manager and Clyde
Stewart, one of the sales guys who knew what he was doing,” said Deison.
“It was really a gift, a nice gesture to help a poor kid out.”
Yellow Page Ad in 1959 for the Dealership
In 1965, Don Buckalew – a native of Magnolia – became partners and the
business became Weisinger-Buckalew Chevrolet. Buckalew described
Weisinger as extremely nice and committed to the Conroe community.
“He was very civic minded and participated in a wide range of
organizations benefiting the business community and the residents of
Conroe,” said Buckalew. “He was also a very avid Aggie.”
In the 60s, Buckalew said trucks weren’t as popular as they are now. He
said Chevy Bellaires were the most requested vehicles at the time. When
Buckalew joined with Weisinger, he said the dealership typically had
25-30 vehicles on the lot. In his current location, he has more than
600.
In 1967, when the dealership made plans to move to a bigger location on
North Frazier Street, Buckalew recalled that the move would require
getting a new phone number.
“Slim Jones, our wrecker driver, was really worried about that,” he
said. “But people found us.”
The original location was home to a number of businesses until it was
taken over by Bill and Linda Mason who opened Western Auto on the site
in 1975.
“There really weren’t any big box stores or toy stores in Conroe back
then,” said Linda. “There was Gibson’s Discount Center and White’s Auto,
but we were pretty much the top choice for people with kids.”
Bicycles, mini-bikes and go-carts were high demand items at Christmas
time, said Linda. The store would have hundreds of items put back for
holiday giving.
“We were bursting at the seams,” she laughed. “Those were the days.”
The building 502 North Frazier is at the corner of Phillips and
Frazier streets in downtown Conroe has been a place of commerce
since 1939. Formerly the Western Auto, the building now serves
as a tire and collision shop.
The couple continued operating Western Auto in the Weisinger-Buckalew
location until 2006. The building, still owned by Winifred Ann Spencer,
is now leased to J. K. Tires and Collision Solutions.
Spencer says she has no intension of selling the building.
“It’s all I have left from the old days,” she said. “There are some good
memories from back then.”
For information on Conroe and
Montgomery County history, visit www.heritagemuseum.us or
call 936-539-6873.
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