William J. Hawley established his dealership in Canandaigua in 1901 as motor vehicle transportation began to rapidly overtake horse-drawn transportation. The Willys Overland Company (of Indianapolis, Indiana) was formed by Canandaigua native and automobile pioneer John North Willys in 1907. The Willys “Knight” and “Whippet” competed with the popular Ford “Model T.” After his death, the company Willys founded Produced Jeeps for the army.
J. William J. Hawley Automobile Company, 229 South Main Street
William J. Hawley established his dealership in Canandaigua in 1901 as motor vehicle transportation began to rapidly overtake horse-drawn transportation. The Willys Overland Company (of Indianapolis, Indiana) was formed by Canandaigua native and automobile pioneer John North Willys in 1907. The Willys “Knight” and “Whippet” competed with the popular Ford “Model T.” After his death, the company Willys founded Produced Jeeps for the army.
