May 10

Chandler-Cleveland Factory History

From what I’ve read, Chandler had two factories in Cleveland. One was on E. 131st Street and the other was on Euclid Avenue. Am I correct in saying that Chandlers were built in the E. 131st Street and the Cleveland factory was on Euclid Avenue? A mid-20’s illustration is captioned as being specifically Cleveland. Would this factory have sat idle after they discontinued the Cleveland brand?

I also have two identical illustrations of the Euclid Avenue factory from after the Hupp purchase. The captions regarding its use change though. In 1931, it would have been used for building model S and L Hupmobiles. By 1933, it was being used as a body plant for the cycle-fender and early aerodynamic cars. That arrangement was costing them way too much money so they closed it in the fall of 1934. Body production moved over to Hayes and this would mark the end of automotive manufacturing at that site. Is there any other history known on either factory site?

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May 10, 2026

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Replies (11)

· May 10

Yes, the Cleveland Motor Car plant is what Hupmobile used for their production after 1929. There are several photographs of the factory in James Lackey's book of the inside and outside of the factory. Today I believe it is office and retail space. There is supposed to be an area set aside as a museum showcasing what the building was once used for. Last I heard the building was owned by Lance and Peggy Johnson and they had Chandlers in their collection that they would be putting on display. I have notified them of our new website but have not heard from them in a while.

Here are a few photos I have to share of this Cleveland/Chandler/Hupmobile factory:

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· May 10

@Chandler-Six Awesome photos! Thanks.

· May 11

@Chandler-Six Do you know the year of the aerial photo? The Hupp illustrations show that huge complex off to the right. I’m just wondering if that actually existed or if they were just trying to make things appear bigger than they were.

· May 11

@Hupp31 The ariel photo is from about 1922

· May 11

@Chandler-Six So there would have been plenty of time to put additions on. It would have swallowed up that whole neighborhood where that row of mill houses is on the right.

· May 10

Chris, do you know why Hupp moved production to this building? Where were they prior? Was this an Archie Andrews production or had he not entered the building. Perhaps a question for Travis? @Hupp31

· May 11

@alsancle Hupp didn’t have any factories in Ohio prior to the buyout. They wanted a factory to increase production of the lower cost models and keep making the higher end models in Detroit. If Chandler wasn’t using this factory after they ended Cleveland production, it would have been an easy way to get the square footage. Andrews was on the board by then but I don’t think he was the driving force behind it. I believe it was company president Dubois Young that was behind the deal. It would have been a good idea if not for The Depression.

(edited)

· May 11

@Hupp31 I believe the factory was still in use as Chandler convereted their Cleveland line to be the base model for the Chandler line. Our 1929 Model 65 would have been one of the last cars out of the factory. It has several optional options on it as they were trying to clear out inventory.

· May 11

@Chandler-Six Oh okay. So it’s quite likely that both of our cars came out of that factory.

· Aug 30

1927 photo of the Chandler factory.

· Aug 31

Great photo Travis! Thanks for sharing it.