Elgin auto repair shop marks 75th anniverary

Starting a new business during the nation's worst depression might not sound like a good decision, but that didn't stop Herman Kellenberger from using his life savings of $300 to launch an auto repair business in the fall of 1939.

Kellenberger soon found the move to be a good one, as the shortage of new cars during World War II forced people to keep their cars longer and repair the ones they had. Combining his past experience with his mechanical ability, Kellenberger's business grew in the years ahead and the operation is now marking its 75th year of operation.

By contrast to today's high-tech shop, Kellenberger's first garage was quite primitive, according to his son, Bill Kellenberger. Located across the street from the current business, it had a wooden floor and potbellied stove. Cardboard was placed against the walls to keep it warm.

"Opening his own business was my father's dream," said Bill, who joined his father in the business after graduating high school in the 1940s.

"I'm not sure how he did it, though, with six kids at home."

The elder Kellenberger brought plenty of experience to the job, which helped his success, Bill said. He had worked for about 13 years at Haumiller Garage on the 100 block of South Liberty Street, where he specialized in ignition, carburetion, and electrical repairs.

Originally from Iowa, Herman Kellenberger had worked as a farmer before he joined a number of his brothers who moved to the Elgin area in the 1920s.

In addition to the mechanical knowledge he gained working on farm equipment, Kellenberger also worked on the construction of the Elgin Tower Building and was employed in the railroad industry for a time, where he honed his ability to work with his hands.

"My father was always bringing home technical journals and studying how to repair cars," Bill said. "There weren't the trade schools available to learn automotive repair as there are today. He became a top-notch mechanic."

Kellenberger's business grew rapidly and he soon added his brother Nathan as a partner in the business. The growing business also necessitated a larger garage and the Kellenbergers moved their operation to 105 Division St., a location now occupied by Elgin's Civic Center parking lot. From there it was onto 126 Division St., a building connected with Sheele's Grocery store - a large downtown grocery business.

By the mid-1940s, Herman Kellenberger's brother Nathan wanted to move on to other things and ended his involvement with the business. About that same time, Bill, who had worked part-time for his father as a youth, officially joined the venture.

In 1954, the current Kellenberger garage on North Street - now Symphony Way - was opened. In the years ahead it would see various additions as business increased.

"Much of our business at that time came from repairing trucks for the nearby Ludwig Dairy," Bill Kellenberger said. "Sometimes we'd work on the trucks up until midnight so they would be ready to go in the morning."

Bill Kellenberger also said that they did a lot of business for Sears automotive, which was in downtown Elgin on the site of the current Elgin Art Space.

When asked how the automobile repair business has changed over the years, Bill Kellenberger noted that most cars were brought in twice a year for a tuneup. Most owners also brought their cars in to have snow tires put on in the fall and taken off in the spring. A lot of the business years ago consisted of installing air conditioning, cruise control and radios.

People would also drive up and stop at the business to have the water level checked in their batteries. Bill Kellenberger noted that many younger people today aren't aware that batteries needed servicing and that a car might not start if this wasn't done.

"Cars are also much smaller today than they were years ago, giving us more room in the garage. By contrast, some of the equipment used takes up much more space. An alignment machine used to take up one bay and now it takes up two," he said.

"One of the things I most enjoy at our current building is the heated floor in our garage," he added with a smile. "It makes lying on the concrete floor so much easier. When cars are brought in with snow on them, the heated floor also helps the floor dry faster."

Bill Kellenberger also said their business used to sell a number of tires. The extensive inventory required for the wide range of sizes today would eventually see that sideline trimmed down.

Today, Kellenberger's is operated by Bill Kellenberger's sons, Jack and Dave. Joining them over the last year is Dave's son Carlton - the fourth generation in the family. The business now employs 12 people - some who have been there for many years.

Though the automobile repair business has changed dramatically over the years, the one thing the family says has always been the same is the old-fashioned customer service and the quality it offers.

The Kellenbergers say they have many repeat customers. Some families have been with them for several generations.

Family members say their best advertising is "word-of-mouth." The telephone number of "5457" is still the same, though the telephone company has added digits out in front.