The Yakima Carriage King
How local craftsman Michael Schorn is proving that North Yakima can outbuild the eastern factories.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
North Yakima is deservedly known for the push and enterprise of its citizens, and the people realize that where a dollar can be kept at home instead of being sent abroad, that just so much is gained towards the prosperity of this section. We have in our city an industry that is fast making strides towards prominence as a factor of our importance, and one that has neither asked for nor received any subsidy: Michael Schorn’s carriage factory. Mr. Schorn is a practical carriage builder who knows full well the weak points of the eastern-made vehicles that are turned out for the western trade, and these defects he has overcome. Located on the corner of Chestnut and Front streets, his main building is 40x80 feet, though Mr. Schorn already realizes that he is limited for room and is figuring on an early enlargement. It was only last winter that he turned out his first buggy, but it was a success, and he has since been deluged with orders. He uses only second-growth timber and Norway wrought iron, and his work stands the ravages of our climate much better than eastern imports. He is giving steady employment to eight men and is building a great industry founded on honest workmanship.
“North Yakima is deservedly known for the push and enterprise of its citizens.”
In the 1890s, Yakima was eager to prove it could manufacture high-quality goods rather than rely on Eastern imports. Today, the city’s economic conversation has shifted from manufacturing carriages to specialized agricultural tech and regional logistics, but the booster spirit—a pride in local production keeping wealth in the valley—remains identical.
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