The ancestral home of the co-founder of Harley-Davidson motorcycles has been saved from demolition after it went on the market and was about to be scooped up by developers who would tear it down.
The Davidson Cottage, located in the Angus village in Scotland, was home to William C. Davidson, who emigrated to America in 1857, where three of his children (Arthur, Walter and William) joined 20-year-old William Harley to create the iconic Harley-Davidson company.
The once-derelict property was painstakingly restored over many years by biker aficionados who transformed it into a re-creation of a mid-nineteenth century dwelling.
However, the property went on the market once again, which required another push to save the building.
The Davidson Legacy Preservation Group was formed and won a matching grant from the UK government Community Ownership Fund. But the group needed to raise more than £300,000 to obtain keys to the cottage.
After a three year campaign, and many individual donations, the Harley-Davidson Company stepped in at the last minute to provide the final funding to get the team over the line.
In a statement on their GoFundMe page, Nyree Aitken of the Davidson Legacy Preservation Group said, “This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the dedication and generosity of so many.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the fundraising efforts, especially the Harley-Davidson riding community and our supporters worldwide. Your enthusiasm and commitment has been truly inspiring.”
“We are also deeply grateful to the UK Government for their contribution through the Community Ownership Fund, which has played a crucial role in helping us in the road to preserving this important piece of Harley-Davidson history.”
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“The final funding, generously provided by Harley-Davidson, reinforces our shared commitment to honoring the Davidson heritage, and we are excited to collaborate with them as we move forward.
“Our immediate focus is to complete the purchase process and begin laying the groundwork for some exciting plans in 2025.
“Together, we are keeping the Davidson legacy alive.”
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In 1901, 20-year-old mechanical engineer William S. Harley drew up plans for a small engine designed for use in a regular pedal-bicycle frame.
Over the next two years, he and his childhood friend Arthur Davidson worked on their motor-bicycle using the Milwaukee machine shop at the home of a friend. It was finished in 1903 with the help of Arthur’s brother Walter Davidson. Most of the major parts were made elsewhere, including some probably fabricated at the West Milwaukee rail shops where oldest brother William A. Davidson was toolroom foreman.
In 1906, Harley and the Davidson brothers built their first factory on Juneau Avenue, at the current location of Harley-Davidson’s corporate headquarters, where the company produced its first 50 motorcycles that year.
By 1920 Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with over 28,000 machines produced and dealers in 67 countries.
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