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History of Novelty Carriage
Works, Spokane, Wa. Circa 1889-1983.
By John Eickhof
Founded just after the great fire of 1889, Myron Kulp (also known as
‘Novelty Jack’) established the Novelty Carriage Works at 713 Front Ave. in
Spokane, Washington. Novelty (NCW) turned out many products including
wagons, carriages, hacks, (Cabs) van, and delivery rigs. NCW became famous
for quality and durability of it’s products (Stockman’s News, 1900). Myron
was succeeded in his business by his son Roy M. Kulp in 1929. He returned to
operate the company in 1943 following his son’s death presumably in WWII.
Mr. Kulp had about a dozen men in employ, and sometimes upwards of
twenty-five. “He manufactures vehicles of every description from the
ordinary wagon to the finest carriage, and he uses the Kelly-Springfield
rubber tires” (Western Progress Magazine, 1902). The company converted to
school bus production in the late 1940s and fitted their school bus bodies
to various manufactured chassis / drive trains including Dodge trucks,
according to various advertisements.
The 1950 Dodge Power Wagon I have with a Novelty body is presumed to be
a one of a kind, and was apparently made under a contract between Novelty
and the Fairchild A.F.B. near Spokane. The researcher from the Spokane
public library identified the photo I provided and reflected that it
resembled a bus she used to see around Fairchild AFB in the late 1950s. The
company was moved to E6615 Main in the 1960s. Myron Kulp passed away Oct.
24th, 1961 at the age of 95 (Spokane Chronicle, Oct. 25, 1961). The NCW was
continued in operation by his right hand man Robert E. Halstead as vice
president, and his wife Pearl L. Halstead as president. They continued
operation as school bus manufacturers and fitters until 1983. The Novelty
Carriage Works was one of Spokane’s longest running businesses.
I will be continuing to research this company. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
John Eickhof,
eickhof@nteequip.com
Novelty built a school bus body for the US Airforce built on a on a 1950
Dodge Power Wagon chassis that's currently owned by Eickof.
http://www.dodgepowerwagon.com/sprouse/novelty.htm
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Built buses using stretched (to 157")Chevrolet Suburbans. A 1951 version is
known to exist.
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