Burroughs-White Chevrolet, Martinsville, VA

[Paul J.]

I guess it's my turn. My shipping report lists Burroughs-White Chevrolet in Martinsville, VA as my delivery dealer. However, it only gives me the town and no street address, so I can't get a picture of the building on Google Earth.

I do not believe that the dealer is in business any longer. Does anyone know anything about this dealer?

Tom, I thought that I'd try one of the dealers in a neighboring town. Perhaps they could give me some area dealership history. The Chevy web site lists "Certified Internet Managers" for each dealer, is that a good contact?

At least this is close to the area that I thought the car was from, and it is closer than I thought to the residence of a supposedly famous owner. Looks like I have enough evidence to approach the supposed owner's estate and ask.

Paul

[Tom H.]

Re: Burroughs-White Chevrolet, Martinsville, VA

Paul !

Lots of times the new dealers aren't quite as enthusiastic as we are about the history of these cars. You are better off trying to contact the historical society of that town to see if any old business photos exist.

Like I said before, the library is a good source too. have them search out an old ad from the time period you need. It will include an address in the ad more than likely !!

Keep me posted. I will do a little digging for ya later. headed out on the two wheeler right now !!!

[Tom H.]

Re: Burroughs-White Chevrolet, Martinsville, VA

Hey Paul !

I'm guessing the old dealership might have been on East Church St. I did a little digging around in the Martinsville historical society site and ran across this old picture. It is a place called the Nut House. It is on East Church and it says it was located across the street from the old Bob White Chevrolet dealership on East Church. Bet Bob White was the White in Burroughs-White !!!

Check out the pic here. I also contacted the historical society to see if they had any photos. We'll see.

http://www.myhenrycounty.com/archive/display.php?width=500&height=351&PhotoID=359

[Paul J.]

Re: Burroughs-White Chevrolet, Martinsville, VA

Thanks for your help, Tom. This is great information. I may need to take a trip up there in a few weeks.

Paul

[Tom H.]

Re: Burroughs-White Chevrolet, Martinsville, VA

Hi Paul !!

Here is a note I just got back from Virginia at the Martinsville Historical Society. Sounds like our guess was right !!! I am going to post her note here instead of a PM in case anybody else is searching for information.

Here's the note...................



Hi Tom,

I talked with the former Ford dealer who was in business in 1964. He confirmed that the Burrough-White (Later became Charles White) dealership was always in the same location. The building is still standing, but is no longer a dealership. In the next few days, I will see if I can find a photo of it when it was in operation and send you a copy.

Where are you located?

Virginia

Virginia R. King, President
Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society
276/732-1687
P.O. Box 432
Martinsville, VA 24114
www.MHCHistoricalSociety.org

[Rick K.]

Re: Burroughs-White Chevrolet, Martinsville, VA

I live about 45 min. from Martinsville but I have not been through there in quite awhile. Goggle Chrome shows what looks like a used car or Chrysler dealership in that location.

The family of a local Vette club member was involved in a local Chevy dealership (recently closed)for about 30+ years so he may provide some insight as soon as I can catch up with him.

Berglund Chevy in Roanoke Va. has an in-house Vette guru by the name of Don Musgrove. He may have some information.

[Paul J.]

Re: Burroughs-White Chevrolet, Martinsville, VA

Thanks Tom. I'll be calling Virginia in the next couple of days. I'll still have her send the photo to you, and maybe copy me. Thanks again for your help with this.

Rick, thanks for your help. I'm interested in what that person may have to say. I grew up in Roanoke and still have family there, so I'm through Martinsville several times a year. I used to be active in the local Corvette club, and my mother still buys her cars from Bergland. I bought my car in Salem.

I've also been contacted by a past resident who grew up in Martinsville and has family there. He's helping out too.

Is this forum great, or what?!!

Paul

[Rick K.]

Re: Burroughs-White Chevrolet, Martinsville, VA

Paul , Tom is pretty much on the money about the name changes in the dealership . My friend gives this account of the name changes : Burrough-White became Charles White (same White) & then in about late 80's it became Bob White (son of Charles) Chevyland. Bob was killed in a motorcycle accident a few years ago.

My friend says the current owner of Robert Woodall Chevy-Cadillac in Danville Va. got his start in about the early 70's at the Martinsville dealership. He also ran a Corvette sales & rebuild business prior that.

As you can see all I came-up with is potential leads. Tom's historical society idea may provide the best results.

[Paul J.]

Re: Burroughs-White Chevrolet, Martinsville, VA

Rick, thanks for your help.

I spoke to Virginia King, President of the Martinsville Historical Society. She told me that the dealership was started by C.T. White. His son, Bob Sr. is still alive and splits his time between Martinsville and Florida. He was the "Bob" in Bob White Chevrolet. The grandson, Bob Jr. was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2004?, which is when the dealership was sold to Nelson Chevrolet.

She is trying to find Bob Sr.'s number for me.

Paul