[Don Knauff]

I am looking for any information on a company that manufactured boat trailers in the Benton Harbor MI area.
The company was (or is) F.A. Long Manufacturing and they built boat trailers called Michigan Lo Loaders.
I have and old one (possibly late fifties)and I want to restore it to tow a classic boat with.
I would appreciate any and all info, but especially a way of identifying my model.
It may be that the company was merged into another manufacturer.
Thanks.
Don
Lakeville,MN

[Debrajean]

Benton Harbor has changed a whole lot since the 1950's. It used to be a prosperous and bustling community, but it took a nose dive into depression, basically becoming a ghost town sometime I think in the 70's......there have been literally millions of dollars poured into this community trying to revive and restore it, and it has come a long way in the past 20 years, but it still has a long way to go. The companies that were booming in the 1950's and 60's have either moved away or gone out of business entirely.

Nevertheless, I looked up the company you inquired about, and couldn't find any sort of name or similar service in this area. Wolf's Marine has been here for at least 20 years that I know of, and they may either have the info you need or know more about the company you are inquiring about. Their phone number is 269-926-1068. located at 250 W. Main Street, BH.

I hope that helps some.
Debra

[Don Knauff]

Debra,
Thank you very much for the info. I am still working on the history for the trailer. I will check with Wolf's.
Even the smallest lead can sometimes pay off.

Don Knauff
Lakeville, MN

[Brother WilliamX]

Originally Posted by Debrajean

Benton Harbor has changed a whole lot since the 1950's. It used to be a prosperous and bustling community, but it took a nose dive into depression, basically becoming a ghost town sometime I think in the 70's......there have been literally millions of dollars poured into this community trying to revive and restore it, and it has come a long way in the past 20 years, but it still has a long way to go. The companies that were booming in the 1950's and 60's have either moved away or gone out of business entirely.

Nevertheless, I looked up the company you inquired about, and couldn't find any sort of name or similar service in this area. Wolf's Marine has been here for at least 20 years that I know of, and they may either have the info you need or know more about the company you are inquiring about. Their phone number is 269-926-1068. located at 250 W. Main Street, BH.

I hope that helps some.
Debra

Debrajean. you are right about Benton Harbor taking a nose dive, and I believe that started when Benton Harbor Steel closed down. Now that Whirlpool/Maytag is in business there that corperation is thinking about turning BH into a resorts town. However BH still have a long ways to go you ask me.

One thing about BH is there's alots of Police brutility happening, and homes is bein burnt in the poor housing section. I used to live on vineyard myself back in the days, and now it looks like a ghost neighborhood.

I have a very close friend who lives there in BH, and at the present time Berrien County and him is after each others neck (so to say). I just had to make a few comments after discovering that you from BH, and I am coming that way in March to support my friend. Take care. bye.

[funbustours]

I, too, am born and raised in B.H. - in same graduating class as Sinbad the comedian. B.H. I guess will always be B.H. You got some who stayed and other who HAD to leave. I remember when I would go to J.C. Pennys on Main Street every weekend to shop. It was great ! I used to go down the hill from the High School to the A&W Root Beer stand. Used to walk those brick/cobblestone streets on Empire quite regularly, and
"stayed" in the wading pool at the park on Broadway, which is the street I was born and raised on. My home was the big white splitlevel at the Fairplain End of Broadway, just before you make the curve to go up the hill into Fairplain. Right across the street from my family home was a big "electric plant thingy". : ) Anyways, I kinda miss B.H., but I have heard from friends who are still there that B.H. is trying to grow and do better.
I always can't help but look at any and every Whirlpool washer, dryer, refrigerator I come in contact with to see that Manufacturing Plate on the inside or on the bottom that says "made in Benton Harbor, Michigan...dang...I'm proud of that !!! So very many of my friends, some that have passed on and some who are still working there, made those appliances.....dang, proud !! Also, I might add that I came up in the era where it was a "real big deal" to head over to St. Joe and go to Riverview Amusement Park - - go in the Fun House, the Ferris Wheel, on the beach, just the best !!

[MainStreet]

I'm thinking it was in the 80's sometime, it was big news when Benton Harbor's school district closed in January due to lack of funds. An interesting book on BH history is "The Other Side of the River" by Alex Kotlowitz. I also found anything written on the religious commune House of David (early 1900's) in BH, strange and interesting reading. It's hard to believe that BH was the place to be in vacation spots a hundred years ago. I'm glad to hear things are improving.

Does anyone know if BH still rotates their police and fire departments? I can't imagine being a police officer one month and then a fire fighter the next.

[Michael Benzer]

Hi Don,

I recently acquired a Michigan Boat Trailer by FA Long Manufacturing. I am in the process of restoring it and during the research phase I located the original patent documents. I would be happy to share these with you if you still have your trailer. Can you tell me what colors were used on your particular trailer? I don't think FA Long produced very many of their trailers, but mine is a 1958 vintage. Mike

[WheredoIlive?]

Benton Harbor is doing this giant Harbor Shores project. Some of you may know about it. They are building this giant golf course and resprts. It has been a lot of controversy, especially when they wanted to take part of this one public park.

What is weird is this is all going to be for the ULTRA_RICH.

They are opening all these trendy restaurants, and galleries and stuff in downtown Benton Habor that seem really out of place now, in anticipation.
It is just kind of a weird place, drive down by the car wash/ barbecue and there sits some trendy diner. I do know of one cofffe shop that ended up closing, I guess they could finance the wait til Harbor Shores is in full swing.

[Jim Willemin]

Originally Posted by Michael Benzer

Hi Don,

I recently acquired a Michigan Boat Trailer by FA Long Manufacturing. I am in the process of restoring it and during the research phase I located the original patent documents. I would be happy to share these with you if you still have your trailer. Can you tell me what colors were used on your particular trailer? I don't think FA Long produced very many of their trailers, but mine is a 1958 vintage. Mike

Me too, me too! I just got a Michigan Boat Trailer (1958 or 1959). Mine is in kinda rough shape, but I'd be interested in learning more about it.

[mkfarnam]

I lived on the out skirt of Benton Harbor (Sodus) in the late 60's. I remember that there was a boat factory of some sorts in BH. at the time but I don't recall the name. I could find out.

From what I've heard, Sodus no longer exists