History of Willits 689

[SteveSkelton]

I restored the Willits Broters Canoe #689. A member found that it was completed in 1942. It was purchased by Paul Hosmer Sr., in 1958 and was new. Does anyone have an idea why a 1942 canoe was not purchased until 1958? I have the paperwork between the factory and Hosmer and the shipping infomration.

 

[Benson Gray]

The Willits records I've seen show it as planked on August 28th, 1942 and delivered on August 31st, 1942 to Paul Hosmer in Bend, Oregon. It may have gone back for repairs in 1958.

Benson

 

[SteveSkelton]

I have seen this record. An AI program claims there is a 1958 record showing it was not delivered until after 1958. I have a letter from Hosmer asking for a bow painter loop and complaining about glue on the seems. He asked to have the seats raised. Willits Bros sent him a receipt for $267 for the purchase. $9 shipping by rail. There is no discussion of a return for repair. The supposition is it was stored for 16 years after the factory shut down during the war. It was actually delivered to Bend in Sept 1960.

 

[Michael Grace]

Always trust the Willits Bros. records before trusting AI. The brothers were extremely careful and detailed in everything they did including in their record keeping. #689 was built and delivered to Paul Hosmer in 1942. The Willits Bros. did not close down the shop for 16 years but they did cease production from July 1943 until January 1946, after which then got right back to building and shipping. So #689 was delivered in 1942 to Paul Hosmer, nearly a year before they took a break from their canoe work because of the war. There is no indication that I see in their records that #689 went back to the shop for repairs.

The answer to the 1960 issue is that Paul Hosmer, still in Bend, OR, purchased another Willits canoe, #945, built and sold in August of 1960. Note that a Willits canoe would have cost about $125 in the early 1940s, and about $250 around 1960, so the receipt you have would be appropriate for #945. Usually the canoe's number (945) would have been written on the receipt. Is it not?