Jackson, Michigan – The Other Detroit
During the nascent years of the American automobile industry, a fervor swept across the nation, igniting a competitive spirit among forward-thinking cities vying for the coveted title of "Motor City." Each city envisioned itself as the epicenter of automotive innovation and production, hoping to strike "Industrial Gold," a metaphorical fortune built upon the promise of mass manufacturing and economic prosperity. Among these ambitious contenders stood Jackson, Michigan, a city that, for a time, held a prominent position in the race to automotive dominance. This is the story of Jackson, Michigan, and its ambitious pursuit.
The city’s journey into the automotive realm was characterized by the ingenuity of pioneering individuals and the rise and fall of numerous automotive ventures. While Detroit ultimately secured its place as the undisputed "Motor City," the contributions and aspirations of Jackson, Michigan, remain a significant chapter in the broader narrative of American automotive history.
One of the earliest and most influential figures in Jackson, Michigan‘s automotive story was Byron J. Carter. A man of diverse manufacturing interests, Carter’s entrepreneurial spirit extended to bicycles, steam-driven press components, and even rubber stamps. However, it was the allure of the burgeoning automobile industry that truly captured his imagination. In 1899, Carter’s fascination culminated in the creation of a gasoline-powered prototype, marking his initial foray into the world of motorized vehicles.
Drawing upon his familiarity with steam engines and related machinery, Carter turned his attention to steam-powered vehicles. In 1901, he introduced his first marketable vehicle, a steam-powered Stanhope manufactured by the Michigan Automobile Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan. This early success fueled his ambition, and in 1902, Carter patented a three-cylinder, six-horsepower steam engine, a testament to his engineering prowess.
To further his automotive aspirations, Carter sought financial backing from prominent figures in the Jackson community. He secured investments from Charles Lewis, president of Lewis Spring & Axle, and George A. Mathews, owner of the Fuller Buggy Company and director of the Jackson City Bank. With this crucial support, Carter incorporated the Jackson Automobile Company, setting the stage for a new chapter in the city’s automotive history.
At the behest of his partners, who sought to mitigate their financial risk, the Jackson Automobile Company adopted a dual-pronged approach to production. They manufactured automobiles powered by steam engines under the "Jaxon" name, while simultaneously producing six-horsepower gasoline-powered automobiles under the "Jackson" name. This strategy reflected the uncertainty surrounding the future of automotive technology and the desire to hedge their bets on both steam and gasoline power.
The "Jaxon," promoted with the slogan "Steam is Reliable and Easily Understood," was a product of 1903 only. The directors’ refusal to fund the development of Carter’s friction drive transmission led to his departure from the company. This decision marked a turning point for both Carter and the Jackson Automobile Company, as it would shape their respective futures in the automotive industry.
Without the innovative spirit of Byron Carter, the Jackson Automobile Company transitioned into a more conventional manufacturer, yet one that cultivated a reputation for durability and reliability. The company’s slogan, "No Hill Too Steep, No Sand Too Deep," was not merely a marketing tagline but a reflection of the experiences and testimonials of satisfied customers. Jackson automobiles earned a reputation for their ability to tackle challenging terrains and withstand the rigors of early automotive travel.
The Jackson Automobile Company continued to operate for two decades, maintaining a focus on conventional automobile designs with only a few notable deviations. In 1919, the company briefly shifted its focus entirely to the production of trucks, reflecting the changing demands of the market. Perhaps the company’s most unusual creation was the "Duck" in 1913, a vehicle with a unique design that positioned the driver in the back seat.
Following his departure from the Jackson Automobile Company, Byron Carter quietly began assembling the resources and financial backing necessary to establish a new automotive venture. This new company would be centered around his revolutionary and patented friction drive transmission, a technology he believed held the key to improved automotive performance and efficiency. In 1906, Carter reorganized the company under the name Cartercar Company and relocated operations to Detroit, marking the end of his association with Jackson.
Another significant figure in Jackson, Michigan‘s automotive history was David Buick, whose early attempts at automobile manufacturing in the city, while short-lived, played a crucial role in the development of the industry. Buick’s initial endeavors helped to foster the growth of specialty machine shops in Jackson, which later became vital suppliers of key components to various automotive companies, including Ford, Olds, and Maxwell.
By 1914, when Benjamin Briscoe established the Briscoe Motor Corporation in Jackson, both Briscoe and the city had gained considerable experience in the automotive manufacturing sector. Benjamin Briscoe’s involvement in the automotive industry dated back to 1902, when he provided the financial backing for the formation of the Buick Manufacturing Company. In 1903, he partnered with Jonathan D. Maxwell, leading to the creation of the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company in 1905.
Briscoe’s success with Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company paved the way for his ambitious creation of the United States Motor Company, a General Motors-style conglomerate. However, the venture proved to be unsustainable, collapsing in 1912. Undeterred, Briscoe attempted to capitalize on the cyclecar craze by establishing Briscoe Freres in France and importing the cars into the United States under the "Argo" name.
Despite his previous setbacks, Briscoe remained committed to the automotive industry. With the financial support of the Swift family of Chicago, he launched the Briscoe Motor Corporation in Jackson. The company’s initial offering, unveiled at the New York Automobile Show in 1914, was met with mixed reviews, primarily due to its unconventional styling.
The Briscoe automobile featured body panels constructed from compressed paper-mâché composite over a wood frame, a departure from traditional materials. Like the luxurious Pierce-Arrow, the Briscoe incorporated a flared headlight. However, unlike the dual headlights of the Pierce-Arrow, the Briscoe featured a single headlight mounted at the top center of the radiator housing, a design choice that further accentuated its distinctive appearance.
Throughout its existence, the Briscoe Motor Corporation embraced unorthodox thinking. In 1916, the company launched an advertising campaign that offered customers the opportunity to upgrade their four-cylinder models to eight-cylinder engines after a trial period. Later that year, the company introduced a smaller model featuring a French-designed, air-cooled, four-cylinder engine.
In mid-1917, Briscoe proposed an innovative approach to expanding automotive manufacturing, offering easy assembly plans for a four-cylinder automobile, utilizing components supplied by Briscoe, to any community that wished to establish its own automotive production site.
In a final attempt to reduce costs and streamline production, Briscoe and his chief engineer, Jules Haltenberger, implemented a design strategy focused on interchangeable components. This approach resulted in simplified production processes but also led to an automobile plagued by component failures.
The spirit of independent thinking that characterized Jackson, Michigan‘s automotive industry did not end with the closure of Jackson, Briscoe, or the other manufacturers that operated in the city before 1920. The quest for industrial success continued, culminating in the initial production of the Kaiser Darrin at Kaiser’s Jackson facilities in late 1953. The Kaiser Darrin was a groundbreaking sports car known for its sleek design and innovative features, further solidifying Jackson’s place in automotive history.