“One of the earliest automobile – Chevrolet dealers in South Carolina.”
City Directories and History: Fairey Motor Company was started in 1926 by P.W. Fairey in St. Matthews, S.C. and later moved by his grandson, Joe Fairey, III to Orangeburg, S.C., where in 2020 is remains active as Fairey Chevrolet. Mr. P.W. Fairey was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Koger Fairey, a long-time general practitioner in St. Matthews. His wife, Isabel Strait – Fairey of Rock Hill, was also the daughter of a local M.D., Wm. Francis Strait, York County’s first trained surgeon. It was therefore, no coincidence, that many of their children and descendants are practicing physicians. Open this link for additional information written on Fairey Motor Company. or read below:
“Philip Fairey was born in 1892, which was a very exciting time in American history. The world was changing and Fairey fell in love with automobiles. In 1913, he began selling motorcycles and bicycles, and repairing automobiles. At the tender age of 26, Philip Fairey fell in love and married Isabel Strait of Rock Hill.
Fairey house near Creston, S.C., where the family lived prior to moving to St. Matthews. Photo contributed to R&R by Gazie Nagle @ www.fineartbygazie.com
Fairey, with his young bride, lived in Greenville for a few years. His heart belonged in Calhoun County and his passion for the automobile business had not been satisfied while trying to make a go in the grocery industry. In 1920’s he returned home to work for Crutchfield Motor Company in St. Matthews. Fairey saw great hope for the growing automobile business and bought out the dealership (Crutchfield Motore Co.,) in 1924 and began to sell Chevrolets, gas, appliances and tires. Yes, times were changing but Philip Fairey had been raised that a man’s word and handshake were his bond, and that was how he treated each and every customer. ***Borrowed $1,500. from Dr. Dreher “banker” and bought out Fred Crutchfield of St. Matthews.
Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Fairey with their twin sons, Frank and Joe. This image was taken in Greenville, S.C. prior to their return to St. Matthews to begin Fairey Motor Company. Courtesy of the Fairey – McCall Collection.
World War II veteran Joseph Koger Fairey II (named for his grandfather), third child of Philip and Isabel, came on board with his daddy after completing his service to his country. Like his father, he had a great desire to take the automobile business to another level. In 1951, Fairey Motor Company took on a new look, and a new beautiful modern building was opened on Bridge Street in St. Matthews. Cars were on the move, and so were both father and son.
By the 1980s, Philip and his wife, ages 88 and 84, took another turn in their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Fairey built a solar-energy home next door to their Georgian-style home outside of St. Matthews. Both thought they would never leave their home, but changed their tunes.
Joseph K. Fairey III joined his father in the car business and built his new life in his grandparents’ Georgian home. Joe Fairey III, like the generations before him, understood times meant change. In order to grow and serve the growing market, he took the challenge from GMC in 1989 and purchased Wannamaker Motor Company. In 1993, they purchased the Cadillac and Oldsmobile divisions from the area.
Bert Knight and Joe Fairey at the Calhoun Golf and Country Club
The Fairey boys as grown men: (LT-Rt) John G. Fairey, Joe Fairey, Frank S. Fairey, Phil Fairey
Identified rear: John G. Fairey, Bobby and Harry Dent. Playing along Dantzler Street, St. Matthews, S.C. Images courtesy of W. Dent – 2019
In 1996, Joe K. Fairey III moved Fairey Motor and their Broughton Street company to its present location on U.S. Highway 601 outside of Orangeburg. Joseph K. Fairey IV joined his dad in 2008 as the general sales manager.
Fast forward to 2015 and Fairey Chevrolet Cadillac is still going strong. Four generations in the automobile business and the vision of the first Fairey dealership is still remembered. A handshake and honesty is still given to each customer. Today Fairey Chevrolet Cadillac sees many changes, but for more than 100 years the Fairey family and cars just seem to all roll together, generation after generation.” Information from the T&D.com – 2015
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R&R HISTORY LINK: the Fairey home on St. Matthews Rd., south…
R&R HISTORY LINK: STRAIT HOME IN ROCK HILL SC
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