Prices

[Towntalk]

Two of this 1903 model of the Fredonia was entered into a cross country race and made it as far as Pittsburgh from the east coast before they were knocked out of the race.

[AllanY2525]

Here's some history on Charles T. Gaither and the Fredonia automobile

Source biographical info:  History of Youngstown and the Mahoning
Valley, Ohio Vol II - By Joseph G. Butler

Photo: "The Ohio Architect Engineer and Builder"   Vol. 30

Note: this info is available in the new "Youngstown Biographies" section of the website

Well versed in the mechanical arts, and a pioneer in the automobile business, Charles T. Gaither, of Youngstown, is distinguished
as having designed and built the first automobile made in the city, and about the third manufactured in the United States. A native
of Ohio, he was born March 24, 1869, in Zanesville, a son of Thomas and Algeo Gaither.  His father, who worked for many years
as a machinist at the Tod Plant, was born in Maryland, while his mother was a native of Ohio.

Acquiring his rudimentary education in the public schools of Warren, Ohio, Charles T. Gaither began work in the office of the Vindicator
when fifteen years of age. having charge of the engines, machinery and presses. When the Fredonia Company was organized for the
purpose of manufacturing automobiles, he resigned his position with the Vindicator to become designer for that firm, with which he was
associated from first to last.   In 1902, in the great endurance race from New York to Boston and return, Mr. Gaither, with a  Fredonia
car, was one of the seventy-two entries for the test. Eight of the automobilists made the trip and return, five of them winning a perfect
record, Mr. Gaither being one of the five.   A pioneer in the automobile business, Mr. Gaither built the first garage erected in
Youngstown, it having been located at the corner of Belmont Avenue and Wood Street.

In 1907, at the corner of Arlington Street and Belmont Avenue, he built his place of business and is now engaged in business at 793
Wick Avenue, its management having met with undoubted success.   Mr. Gaither has probably sold more cars, and a greater variety,
than any other dealer in the city, having handled the Reo, Rambler, Maxwell, White, Oldsmobile, Oakland and Peerless. At the present
time he is carrying on a substantial business, selling both the Reo and the Peerless.   Mr. Gaither married in 1912 Miss Clyde Hassan.
Fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is a member of all of the automobile clubs of the city.

[Towntalk]

I just wonder how many of those old cars are around today. I understand that there is a Mahoning in someone's collection but what about the Fredonia?

[Why?Town]

At the turn of the last century automobiles were strictly for the rich.

Henry Ford is the one that envisioned cars for the masses. He not only developed a process to build cars that could be sold for a small fraction of what other cars cost, he also doubled his employees pay so they could afford to buy what they built.

[Towntalk]

  Thanks much. 

So cars back then weren't cheap. How many mill workers back then (1903) could afford to buy a Fredonia or Mahoning which was also made in Youngstown?

[Why?Town]

According to a site I found $1250 in 1903 equals about $30,000 today.

I also found a link with some infor on the Fredonia.

http://www.american-automobiles.com/Fredonia.html

[Towntalk]

  Question 

In 1903 a Fredonia No. 2 Touring Car sold for $1,250.00. What would that be in today's money?