Over the past century, Ford Motor company has pioneered the automotive industry since the invention of the model T. More or less than eight decades ago, in 1936, Bird-Kultgen Ford had its beginning when Jack Kultgen and Arthur Bird bought the Duncan-Smith Ford dealership on North Fifth Street in downtown Waco. In 1947, they relocated to 13th Street and Franklin Avenue, which then was on the business outskirts of town. Later in 1993, it moved to West Loop 340/State Highway, pioneering as the first dealership on what would become Waco’s “Motor Mile”, and the Kultgen family continues to operate it today.
John Henry “Jack” Kultgen was born onChicago, Illinois and was an extremely successful businessman, and an active individual in society. He was one of the five sons of John Dominic Kultgen and Ingeborg Emma Mary Johnsdotter Johnson Fossenohn. Jack married Reba Belle Mickelborough on June 15th, 1921, with whom he had two sons, David Kultgen and John H. Kultgen. In addition, he was a Roman Catholic and served as Knight Commander of St. Gregory the great in the Roman literature and worked on behalf of St. Mary’s parish, the Diocese of Austin.
During World War I, he took a leave of absence on all of his businesses and responsibilities, and served as a pilot in the Army Signal Corps. In World War II, he served as regional food executive and later as the director on Forth Worth Operations. Subsequently, he also served on the OPA. The Office of price administration (OPA) was established within the office for Emergency Management of the United States government by Executive Order 8875 on August 28th, 1941. The functions of the OPA were basically to control money (price controls) and rents after the outbreak of World War I. Even though Kultgen was associated with automobiles in 1921, only later in 1936 he opened his first Ford Dealership in Waco.
Besides selling cars, Jack Kultgen became a strong civic leader in the community. He was involved in numerous movements and organizations, his leadership was decisive in the achievement of extraordinary progress in many ways. Such as education, health care, water resources management, highway development, community relations, and in good government.
First and far most, he was the President of Bird-Kultgen inc, which is the Waco Ford dealership, (the recipient of the 1984 TIME Magazine Quality Dealer Award). Nevertheless, he was also the president of Huaco leasing company, president of the Huaco corporation, director of the First National bank of Waco, president of Texas life insurance company, president of the Country Retiring Action, Director of the Texas Central Railroad and president of the Behrens Drug company. If all that responsibility wasn’t enough for one man, Kultgen was also the first member and chairman of the Waco Chamber of Commerce Highway Committee, as well as the member of The Texas Highway Commission since 1963 and later served as president of Texas Good Highway Association. Subsequently, The Waco Tribune-Herald further mention Kultgen’s extraordinary recognitions made by Gov. Connally while appointing him for the Highway commision.
Jack Kultgen
John’s extensive resume may seem exhausting, but his philanthropic actions are far from over. The businessman led campaigns for funds to contribute to Baylor-Baylor-Waco foundation, contributed to the Baylor stadium, and gave personal leadership in the Baylor stadium fund drive. Overall, his donations were a pillar to Baylor. Aside from Baylor, he was a member of the U.S Study Commission on water problems, member of the board of the Texas State Technical Institute(TSTI), chairman of the Central Committee for Community Health and Welfare Study, contributed the creation of the Province hospital (where he was the chairman), assisted to St. Maty’s parish, and participated in the development of interstate 35. As president of Waco-Paul Quinn foundation, he raised funds to build the Paul-Quinn library, and to support academic excellence to the oldest negro college west of Mississippi. Jack was also a dynamic leader in the Waco chamber of commerce and at the Greater Waco United Found as president by lending his talents for the good of the community. Nonetheless, The Waco Tribune-Herald and The Waco Citizen articles from the 1950-60s credited him with moving the headquarters of the Brazos River Authority established in Waco, in which he was the director/president, and fighting for the Lake Waco Dam.
An article in 1958 from The Waco Citizen, stated “Jack Kultgen is ‘Man Of the Hour’ In Waco”. The article recognized the member of the advisory board for the national United Fund organizations, Jack Kultgen, for his efforts within the Waco community. The article claimed that he was responsible for the investigation that changed Waco from the Community Chest to the all-inclusive United Fund. Also, it is said that The Chamber of Commerce members “recall Kultgen’s tenure in office as a past president”, and his continuous effort in the organization. It was also mentioned that jack has been a “prime factor” in the air force around Waco as a member of the military affairs committee chairman. Later on, the newspaper credits Jack for his presidency on the Library Board and Heart O’ Texas Fair Board, and mentions that not only “an infinite number” of other local organizations had been supported by Jack, but that he will continue to have “a major part in this civic betterment”. In conclusion it discloses that their “short synopsis doesn’t do justice for the man” and finally that “Waco needs more Jack Kultgens”.
Not surprisingly, Jack won the national recognition, notably Benjamin Franklin Award, for conduction his business in the public interest. His wisdom and foresight have been enlisted by board directors of first national bank, Texas life insurance company, Waco savings and loan association. He also won the annual state-wide award for “Unselfish Service in Water Conservation” at the Fort Worth Press’ Save the Soil and Save Texas program in 1959. Finally, Kultgen had a freeway(Jack Kultgen expressway) dedicated to him by the city of, Mclennan Country and Waco Chamber of Commerce.
Lately, a contingent from Ford visited the dealership to take a few photographs and congratulate president Peter Kultgen(Jack’s grandson) “for delivering excellent service and taking care of customers for this long,” said Dan Gubasta, zone manager for East Texas and Waco. The dealership at 1701 W. Loop 340, on Waco’s “Motor Mile,” is still operating and employs about 80 people. Lastly, the Kultgen family received the Heritage Award from Baylor University’s Institute for Family Business in 2011.
The historic Bird-Kultgen Ford building at 13th Street and Franklin Avenue will become a climate-controlled storage facility that will target the hundreds of people who have moved into lofts and townhomes in downtown Waco, which was vacant since 2006.
Bird-Kultgen Ford dealership
Bonus: Not surprisingly, Henry Ford(founder of Ford) also had a notable impact on the society. Henry was known as an American automobile manufacturer who created the Fort Model T in 1908, and went on to create the assembly line method production, which revolutionized not only his industry but the entire economy.