CLAYSBURG, PA
A south central Pennsylvania town with beautiful scenery.
The area is nestled between the Appalachian Front to the west and Dunnings Mountain of the Ridge and Valley Region to the east!
History of Zeigler Chevrolet - 99 Years in Business in Claysburg
Walt "W.A." Zeigler actually started in business in Manns Choice prior to coming to Claysburg. His original business was located at the intersection of Route 96 and Rt 31 in Manns Choice where he sold farm tractors and equipment.
Automobiles were coming of age, and W.A. was promised a partnership with a Bedford Ford dealer, but it never happened. A friend told him about the town of Claysburg, and how it was booming from the refractory industry with plants in Claysburg and Sproul.
Initially after coming to Claysburg, W.A. continued to sell farm tractors and equipment while the car business was developing. Bob Zeigler remembers his grandfather telling him that one well known local farmer wanted to see a demonstration of a tractor and plow. W.A. took the tractor and plow to the farmer's field located beyond Sproul on the way to Klahr.
W.A. plowed furrow after furrow demonstrating the equipment. Eventually W.A. had plowed the entire field, and the farmer told W.A. that he would need to think about it before buying the equipment. It seems that the farmer's ultimate goal was just to get the field plowed and no sale occurred.
Claysburg Garage now known as Zeigler Chevrolet on Bedford Street was opened in 1918 by W. A. Zeigler. It was the first automobile agency in Claysburg. At the time, they sold Maxwell and Chalmers automobiles. In 1919 Buick was added to the line and in 1921 Ford was signed. Both Maxwell and Chalmers were dropped at this time. Fords were sold until 1926 when the contract was signed with Chevrolet and in 1932 Oldsmobile was added.
In 1939, the business was taken over by Ken Zeigler, son of W. A. Zeigler. W.A. Zeigler then moved to Altoona to start an Oldsmobile dealership on Plank Road.
Bob Zeigler, son of Ken Zeigler took over the dealership in 1967 upon the death of his father. Bob who was 21 years old at the time was the youngest dealer in the United States. In 2017 Bob was personally recognized as being in the business for 50 years. In 1977 a new business was constructed along route 220 which currently houses Zeigler Chevrolet.
Bob was selected as Blair County*s Small Businessman of the Year by the Blair County Chamber of Commerce in 2010. Zeigler Chevrolet is now one of the oldest businesses in Claysburg.
Through the years Zeigler Chevrolet has continued to prosper. It is difficult for any operation to stay in business for 99 years. However, it is a testament to them being competitive in selling new and used cars, providing top notch service on their vehicles and doing outstanding body work as an all inclusive operation.
Claysburg at one time had three new car dealerships. Zeiglers is the only one remaining and is indicative of their stamina and business acumen that keeps a business in operation for almost 100 years.
While Zeigler's customer base has expanded greatly beyond the Claysburg area, they still have a loyalty to the people in Claysburg. Whenever there is an important need within the community, Zeigler Chevrolet has always supported those important needs. They have remembered where their roots are based and are appreciative of the community that supported them in their growth.
Bob Zeigler continues to work in the business and currently has both sons, Kenneth Robert *KR* and Keith Robert working in the business who are now the owners.
Prior Claysburg History Articles, Click these links:
A Quick Glimpse of Claysburg from the Past....
Original site of Zeigler Chevrolet on Bedford Street. In photo is Bill Johnston and John Finnegan.
Original site of Zeiglers. Originally a Fordson dealership. Note the name on the window.
Bob Zeigler Recognized for 50 Years as GM Dealer
Zeigler Chevrolet Has Been in Business for 99 Years!
Bob Zeigler Presented with 50 Year GM Award
L-R: Keith Zeigler, Dan Adamcheck - GM Northeastern Regional Manager, Bob Zeigler, Patty Zeigler, KR Zeigler and William Fleck -GM Pennsylvania Zone Manager.
For more Claysburg History, please click the following link:
http://www.allisonfarm.com/claysburg--pa-area-history.html
CLAYSBURG HISTORY CENTER
Bob Zeigler and his wife, Patti both were graduates from Claysburg-Kimmel. Bob took over the family business in 1967 at age 21 years and 4 months and was the youngest to sign a GM contract. Today his sons, Kenneth Robert “KR” and Keith Robert have continued the tradition of serving in the business and are now the owners.
The Zeigler family is a staple in the community. While Zeigler's customer base has expanded greatly beyond the Claysburg area, they still have a loyalty to the people in Claysburg. Whenever there is an important need within the community, Zeigler Chevrolet has always supported those important needs. They have remembered where their roots are based and are appreciative of the community that supported them in their growth.
Bob Zeigler becomes involved within the community whenever there is a need. From a financial standpoint his generous contributions helped to get the Claysburg Christmas in the Park Celebration off the ground several years ago. His financial commitment to the community continues as his family has done in the past. If there is a good cause, Bob Zeigler has contributed greatly to it. During community events the family and business have allowed use of their cars and trucks for community days, homecoming celebrations and any other event where there has been a need.
Besides contributing from both financial and asset aspects, recently Bob agreed to head up the business segment of the fundraising for the Claysburg Education Foundation giving of his personal time in a rather time consuming task. For the past two years, he has been contacting other businesses in the area for their financial involvement in promoting education to another level through the Claysburg Education Foundation.
The history of the family business goes back 99 years when Walt "W.A." Zeigler actually started in business in Manns Choice prior to coming to Claysburg. His original business was located at the intersection of Route 96 and Rt 31 in Manns Choice where he sold farm tractors and equipment.
Claysburg Garage now known as Zeigler Chevrolet on Bedford Street was opened in 1918 by W. A. Zeigler. It was the first automobile agency in Claysburg. At the time, they sold Maxwell and Chalmers automobiles. In 1919 Buick was added to the line and in 1921 Ford was signed. Both Maxwell and Chalmers were dropped at this time. Fords were sold until 1926 when the contract was signed with Chevrolet and in 1932 Oldsmobile was added.
In 1939, the business was taken over by Ken Zeigler, son of W. A. Zeigler. W.A. Zeigler then moved to Altoona to start an Oldsmobile dealership on Plank Road.
Bob Zeigler, son of Ken Zeigler took over the dealership in 1967 upon the death of his father. Bob who was 21 years old at the time was the youngest dealer in the United States.
In 1977 a new business was constructed along route 220 which currently houses Zeigler Chevrolet.
Bob was selected as Blair County*s Small Businessman of the Year by the Blair County Chamber of Commerce in 2010. Zeigler Chevrolet is now one of the oldest businesses in Claysburg.
Through the years Zeigler Chevrolet has continued to prosper. It is difficult for any operation to stay in business for 99 years. However, it is a testament to them being competitive in selling new and used cars, providing top notch service on their vehicles and doing outstanding body work as an all-inclusive operation.
Claysburg at one time had three new car dealerships. Zeiglers is the only one remaining and is indicative of their stamina and business acumen that keeps a business in operation for almost 100 years.
While Bob Zeigler continues with his involvement to help operate the business, currently both sons, Kenneth Robert “KR” and Keith Robert are working in the business and are now the owners.
Having Bob Zeigler and his family owned business in Claysburg is truly a great asset to the Claysburg area community. Bob continues to be a integral part of Claysburg by donating his financial resources as well as his personal time to the Claysburg Community. Congratulations Bob!
Rich Allison Claysburg.us © Copyright