Lakewood Lore

Winton was pioneer in car manufacturing

Alexander Winton, famous Lakewoodite who for many years lived in a yellow brick mansion on Lake Avenue near Nicholson, helped put the nation on wheels.

Winton, known as a "trigger-tempered Scot," migrated to New York City from his native Scotland in 1878. He came to Cleveland in 1882 when he was 22. Here, he graduated from making bicycles to building automobiles, first on Perkins Avenue and later on Berea Road at Madison Avenue.

In 1896, he completed his first motor vehicle, a one-cylinder model with bicycle-style wheels. On March 24, 1898, a Winton became the first American-built auto to be sold commercially in the United States.

The pioneer car manufacturer was one of the first to enter cross-country tours and speed and endurance contests, setting a whole series of records. His most popular model was the Winton Six.

Between 1910 and 1920, he prospered. But in 1924, after refusing to acknowledge the trend toward less expensive cars or to give up his custom-building methods for new assembly-line techniques, he quit making autos.

The Winton Place high-rise apartment on Lakewood's Gold Coast was built on the site of his former home at 12706 Lake Ave. Earlier, Winton Avenue in Lakewood was named in his honor.

This article by Dan Chabek appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post October 27, 1988. Reprinted with permission.

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