Pantown – a planned community before its time

by MaryAnne Block

news@thenewsleaders.com

Samuel Pandolfo’s larger than life legacy will be featured during the Pantowners’ Car Show and Swap Meet from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

In the early 1900s Samuel Pandolfo was successfully selling insurance in Southwestern states, but all the while he was wearing out cars that were uncomfortable and not able to stand up to many miles.

So one day he had the brainstorm to build a luxury, dependable automobile that offered comfort and innovative additions. Those additions included a convertible canvas roof, built-in clock, gas gauge, electric starter (no more cranking by hand). The cars would have electric lights (no more swaying lanterns.) Seats would fold down to become a comfortable bed, and there was even an ice box for food and drinks. After all, there were no motels or convenience stores at that time.

Pandolfo

Samuel Pandolfo was born on Nov. 22, 1874  in Macon, Miss. He died of a stroke on Jan. 27, 1960 in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1899 he became superintendent of schools in Las Cruces in New Mexico Territory but eventually realized he could make more money selling insurance. That is when his insurance-selling traveling in the Southwestern states began.

Best place

Arriving in 1917, Pandolfo decided St. Cloud would be the best place to build an automobile manufacturing plant, the Pan Town Motor Co. He envisioned one that would rival the giant Detroit plants. He purchased 47 acres of prairie grasslands northwest of St. Cloud in May 1917. That area is currently Veterans Drive and 33rd Avenue N., an area that is still to this day known as “Pantown.” Pandolfo began selling shares in his yet-to-be-built company.

First building

His production plant was the first building built, costing $1.5 million. Decades later, that plant became the site of the now-vacant Electrolux building. Construction also began to build “Craftsman” style houses for management and workers to live in. More production buildings soon followed. A large heating plant to heat crude iron and then shape it into sheets of metal was key. Huge steam hammers (up to 12,000 pounds) shaped the metal into car parts. Various drill presses, milling machines, planers, grinders and lathes were also used. All the equipment in all areas was of top quality. Giant over-head cranes moved materials from one machine to another.

The next building was the power house to furnish electricity in case of public power-facility breakdowns during storms. Underneath the 14 buildings that became the Pan Town Motor Co. ran a vast network of tunnels for electric lines, water connections, heat pipes and telephone lines.

Knowing the employees and staff needed housing for their families, Pandolfo began an aggressive construction of 58 Craftsman homes in that immediate area. Construction of the 14 plant buildings and the 58 homes was completed by July 1918.

Massive barbecue

Pandolfo hired men who believed in his lofty goal, but more funds were needed. So he decided, in Pandolfo fashion, to host a huge free barbecue on July 4, 1917. He imported beef from Texas, along with Texas chefs to prepare the massive amounts of food needed. More than 70,000 attended from every state in the nation. Circulating among the crowds were staff who explained Pandolfo’s goal and who obtained financial pledges. During the next two months, they were able to bring in $10 million in pledges. That was during the final two years of World War I.

Planned community

Pantown was a modern community planned for the future. It had its own sewage system, a lighting system and independent water system with water from deep wells. There was volunteer fire and police protection. Plans for a hospital and school, however, never became a reality.

Pandolfo hired the best designers and craftsmen he could find to produce the luxury cars at a reasonable price for the average working man. Because of the excellent quality they produced, they also provided parts to some big Detroit auto companies and the federal government.

Unthinkable

Then the unthinkable happened. The Minnesota Securities Commission began to look into the vast amount of money raised and how it was being used. Some investors began to worry they would not see a return on their investment. Those charges were dropped. Then the federal government decided to file mail-fraud charges for which Pandolfo served two years of a 10-year sentence.

When Pandolfo returned to St. Cloud after his prison term, the city celebrated with large crowds, a marching band and a large gathering of people offering praise. The crowd also awarded him with money to start another endeavor.

Plant production had continued during his absence but had slowed markedly. Between the years 1917 and 1923 the motor company produced 750 cars. By 1923 production had totally ceased. In 1926, the entire Pantown company was sold for a mere $103,000 at auction.

Of the 750 cars manufactured, only 12 Pancars are known still to exist. Two are owned by the St. Cloud Antique Auto Club (nicknamed the “Pantowners”). A 1919 Model A 5-passenger car owned by the club has been fully restored and is on display at the Stearns County Historical Museum. Their second car is currently a work in progress. A third surviving car is one privately owned in the St. Cloud area.

Of the 58 Craftsman-style homes built, at least 57 still remain and continue to provide housing for families today. Two of the original 14 Motor Company buildings remain standing.