Topeka Harley-Davidson

Henry Patterson purchased Topeka Harley-Davidson in March of 1949 from Dutch Myers. Henry (Pat) moved his wife, Leola, and their two young boys, Larry and Dennis, along with all of their possessions, in one car and motorcycle trailer from Grand Junction, Colorado to Topeka in order to take over the dealership. Pat endured many hardships in his 1st several years of business. Within a year of taking over at 305 Kansas Avenue, the Throop Hotel, next to his store, caught fire and collapsed on top of his building and ruined the structure.