Columbus [1] / Buggymobile (United States) - AllCarIndex

The Columbus Buggy Company, established in the 1860s in Columbus, Ohio, was one of the largest manufacturers of horse-drawn vehicles in the United States. The company transitioned into the automotive industry in the early 1900s, initially focusing on electric vehicles. Columbus Buggy produced its first electric vehicle in 1903, a folding-top runabout, and expanded its offerings by introducing a station wagon, surrey, and closed coupe by 1906. The company continued to manufacture various designs of both open and closed electric vehicles until 1915.

In 1907, Columbus Buggy entered the gasoline-powered vehicle market with a high-wheeler model, which featured a 10-horsepower, 2-cylinder air-cooled engine and a rope drive. This model was produced until 1908, after which it evolved into a more conventional automobile known as the Firestone-Columbus, named after the company's president, Clinton D. Firestone. The Firestone-Columbus was manufactured starting in 1909.

In 1914, the company underwent a reorganization, with control shifting to a group of businessmen from Buffalo, including Charles A. Finnegan of the E.R. Thomas Company. Although there were discussions about potentially producing the Thomas Flyer in Ohio, this plan did not materialize. The Columbus Buggy Company ceased operations in May 1915 when the factory was sold, marking the end of both its electric vehicle production and the Firestone-Columbus gasoline cars.