James Watson & Sons Co.

James Watson established the Riverview Wagon Works at 30th & Market Streets in Wilmington, Del. in 1892, specializing in milk wagons and other delivery vehicles. He was joined by his sons Andrew B. Watson, John W. Watson, and William M. Watson as the partnership of James Watson & Sons. With the development of internal combustion vehicles, the Watsons turned to the manufacture of custom truck bodies, again primarily delivery trucks, police vans, and the like. After Watson's death, the business was incorporated as the James Watson & Sons Co. on June 16, 1925.

The Depression and the change to mass-produced vehicles gradually drove the firm out of business during the 1930s. One of its last products was a two-wheel passenger trailer for campers. In 1930 it leased part of its property for use as a soda bottling plant and sold it outright in 1952. The company sold its last real estate to a service station operator in 1966 and dissolved on September 29 of that year.

The most informative part of the company's records is the photographic file of vehicles built by the firm, which is housed in Hagley's Pictorial Collections Dept.

From the description of Records, 1863-1966 (bulk 1892-1951). (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122516222