In 1919, George M. Thompson, Sr was discharged as a Captain in the U.S. Arms Quartermaster Corps and
he returned to Springfield with his bride to enter into business with his father, George W. Thompson.
In those days George W. was known as a "drummer" because he drummed up (sold) business with retailers.
Basically, he sold scales and groceries in Springfield and as far away as West Plains. It has been said
that he was the first person in his trade to use the newfangled autommobile to service his customers.
Soon, George M. saw the need for other businesses to feed two families so George M. and George W. obtained
a franchise for Racine tires and opened Thompson-Racine Tire Co. at 417 St. Louis Street. This marked a
lasting association with Springfield and the Ozarks. Because the Racine "Country Road" Tires was guaranteed
for a unheard of 6,000 miles, they selected #6000 for their phone number and opened for business on July 1,
1919.
In 1923, the Racine Tire Co. merged with Ajax Tire Co. and that same year the buiness moved across the street
to 423 St. Louis Street. Because of the change in brand names, the company was changed to Thompson Tire Co.
Four years later in July 1927, Ajax merged with McClaren Rubber Co. and Thompson's started selling McClaren
tires.
But more important, in 1927 Thompson Tire Co. obtained the retail franchise for a motorcar named Cadillac - the
automobile known as The Standard of the World.
As 1928 rolled around, the need for additional room became more and more obvious. So, Dr. Wallis Smith constructed
a building at 300 Kimbrough St. and leased it to the Thompson's. With this new facility, the Thompson's were able
to provide the first "drive-in-drive-out service" in Springfield.
The depression years soon followed and it took a lot to keep the company going. In 1932, Thompson Tire Co. made the
difficult decison to take on one more automobile franchise - Pontiac (which had been purchased by General Motors
from Oakland Carriage Co. only six years earlier). The organization now consisted of the tire business plus
two automobile franchises.
In 1936, the last change in brand names was made for their tires with Dayton Rubber Co. bought McClaren. And with
this change in brand names, Thompson Tire Co. officially changed its name to Thompson Sales Company.
The company eventually sole Covered Wagon house trailers, White trucks, Century boats, and James Motorcycles (English
Paratrooper Bikes).
The year 1955 brought change in location for Thompson Sales Company. In June of that year (thanks to our friends at
the bank), Thompson moved to a brand new location at 727 St. Louis Street solely to sell and service new automobiles.
Even though the move was less than a few blocks away, the new facility was a vast improvement over the Kimbrough
location.
During the years 1956 to 1964, the location at St. Louis Street saw few changes with the exception of the passing
of the founder of the company, George Thompson, Sr. in the fall of 1972.
Time changes most businesses as well as people's thinking, so it was only a short time later that it was
necessary to leave the tire business behind and concentrate on selling and servicing the two fine General
Motors cars for which we had been so privileged to have franchises. Also, at this time, George Thompson,
Sr. George Thompson, Jr. and Milton Thompson were listed on the selling agreements with General Motors as
Dealer Principles. Time has now changed this situation, but this has not deterred the growth of our
organization in spite of increased competition.
The Thompson's realized the need for expanded growth in 1984 the Service Department the Parts Department,
and the Sales Showroom were expanded with a major renovation - the building was increased by over 100%.
In 1987, Thompson's opened a second satellite sales location South Springfield and car sales continued
on a yearly increase due in large part to the commitment to customer satisfaction by the Thompson organization.
January 1991 saw death of George Thompson, Jr. and more changes were soon to be enacted by the Thompson's.
Milton B. Thompson (Uncle Milt) was promoted to Chairman of the Board, Lynn Thompson was appointed President,
and George Thompson, III was appointed Vice President.
As anyone familiar with the organization knows, George and Lynn operate on a level basis and their titles
are strictly on paper only.
In July 1996 the Thompson's obtained the GMC franchise.
In June 2000 all departments were combined at the new dealership located at 1555 E. Independence.
In July 2003 Thompson obtained the SAAB franchise for southwest Missouri and in November of 2003 the GM
Good Wrench Quick Lube opened at 1515 E. Independence next door to the main dealership.
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