This 1951 Jeep Willys Station Wagon has a unique history in our family. For many years it sat, unused, in the garage of the Leaning Tree Lodge, a family cabin on the Au Sable River in Grayling, Michigan. This cherished vacation home has brought joy to several generations of our family.
1951 Jeep Willys Station Wagon
Here are some more photos of the Jeep throughout the years.
1951 Jeep Willys Station Wagon being towed to or from The Leaning Tree Lodge in the late 1970s.
These photos of the Jeep were probably taken in the late 1970s early 1980s. There is also a photo of what appears to be the original license plate from 1951.
My cousin, Mike Hanley (a senior research editor at Cars.com, check out one of his recent articles), wrote about the Jeep for a college English course over 20 years ago:
“I always remember seeing the 1951 Jeep Willys Station Wagon in the garage whenever I looked inside. It sat in the garage, accumulating raccoon tracks on its dusty hood, because it didn’t run well. Just a few years ago, though, my dad had it worked on and now it is in running condition and is a blast to drive. My dad told me stories of when he was young and went off-roading in the Jeep with my great uncle. He said they would just ride around in the woods, not following any particular trail, and constantly bounce up and down in the backseat.”
At some point the Jeep made its way back to the garage of the Leaning Tree Lodge. It began to fall into disrepair again until my brother acquired it and restored it again. Here it is posing in front of the lodge a few summers ago.
And my dad riding shotgun.
Here is my dad with his uncle, my great uncle (and the one responsible from bringing the Leaning Tree Lodge into our family in the first place), both donning Willys caps and shirts.
The Jeep even made its way to local gathering of classic car enthusiasts.
Here are a some videos taken a few summers ago of the 1951 Jeep Willys Station Wagon in action. What it lacks in comfort and speed it makes up for with memories and nostalgia.
Finally, my brother was able to find this 1991 article from the Collectible Automobile magazine that describers the history of there Willys Station Wagon, “America’s Greatest All Purpose Car”.
Thanks for taking a look at the Family History Artifact of the Day Challenge! Every day in May I will be posting a family artifact or heirloom. I hope you’ll join!
To participate or see what other’s are posting consider joining the private Friends of the Psychogenealogist Facebook Group.
See All of the Challenge Posts:
In May of 2020 I challenged myself and others to write every day for a month about a family heirloom or artifact. Here are 10 lessons I learned from this genealogy writing experience.