The Rusk Auto-House

An example of the Rusk Auto-House, located in south Fargo, ND.

The "Rusk Auto-House" was a prefabricated steel garage for storing automobiles, in a time when there was no reason to automatically add a garage to a home.

Building's Label

One example I've run across has the following label:

The pressed-metal label.

THE
RUSK
AUTO-HOUSE

MANUFACTURED BY
THE FARGO CORNICE & ORNAMENT Co.
FARGO, N.D.

History

People today might not have thought of this, but before the automobile there was no reason for people to build an garage-sized accommodation for any automobile-sized objects. Barns and machine-sheds existed for farmers, horse owners had stables, but there weren't any custom buildings for automobiles as are so common today.

The Rusk Auto-House is an example from a local manufacturer that contributed to early automotive history.

A Rusk Auto House in north Fargo, ND

Historical Value

One Rusk Auto-House, once located at 702-704 Broadway, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, Building #87002634, in 1987. I've both walked and driven past this location, but 702-704 Broadway appears to be a Meritcare parking lot today. I will look more when I have more time to explore the alleys in this neighborhood. As this building is not in the current National Register of Historic Places, I suspect it was destroyed or moved. Its architect was listed as "Fargo Cornice and Ornament Co., Hancock Brothers."