Photos & Notes by Edgar Lee, grandson of Lawrence VanWyhe--
3rd photo is Lawrence Van Wyhe, who owned and operated the garage in town – “Craig Repair Service”.
Originally, Lawrence partnered with his friend, Howard Dirks – in 1939 they leased a space for their garage business until leaving to serve in the Armed Forces during WWII. Both enlisted – Lawrence served in the US Navy, and Howard in the Army. Sadly, Howard did not return, he was killed in France in late 1944. When Lawrence returned in 1944, the building that he and Howard leased was no longer available, so he purchased the building that became the home of “Craig Repair Service”. Built in 1919, the 9-car garage served as the Craig shop for 60 years – Grandpa repaired automobiles, tractors, radio/televisions and generally anything that could be fixed, until his passing in 1979. The building remains in the family and houses some of the family’s vintage automobiles. On work weekends and evenings, passers-by enjoy stopping in for a visit ~ fond memories for older folks who once had their vehicles serviced here and a fascinating experience for the younger generation.
The shop is frozen in the 1950's/60's, still stocked with parts, original signs and equipment in their place since new. The garage was open and featured during the Craig Centennial in 2011.
Scores of people were pleased to again walk into the garage – in some cases, for the first time in over 40 years – many delightfully surprised to find Grandpa’s 1948 Chevy sitting inside. The Chevy is in the attached photograph – a Kodachrome slide that my father took in 1975.
Lawrence was a fixture in Craig – having served as water commissioner, mayor, councilman and all-around friendly neighbor. The Town honored him by featuring him on the centennial afghan (photo attached).
Lawrence’s wife – Sophie Van Wyhe – was a home keeper, raising her two children and maintaining a huge vegetable garden until her passing in 2000.
