Sax History
SAX MOTOR CO.
100 Years of History
Fred C. Saxowsky and Magdalene with son Gilbert-1928
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Saxowsky settled in Hebron ND in 1888. They had 6 children. Fred, the 3rd oldest child, married Magdalene Schierbaum in 1915 and shortly thereafter in 1918, had a son Gilbert.
1923-1925
The Sax Motor Company was incorporated on March 24, 1923 in Hebron, ND. The dealership name originated from a shortened version of the Saxowsky family name (Sax). The initial Board of Directors consisted of F.C. Saxowsky, W.E. Saxowsky, and R.E. Dittus. The company sold Hart-Parr tractors, dealt in Twin City farm machinery and Overland cars and Dodge Brothers cars and trucks. A Texaco filling pump was added in late 1923, the biggest gasoline pump ever installed in Hebron according to the December 21, 1923 edition of the Hebron Herald. Chevrolet, Willys-Knight autos, Delco Light products, Maytag washers, National Batteries, and Moline plows and binders were added in 1924. Firestone Tires were advertised in 1925.
1926
The Sax Motor Company opened in Dickinson, ND on June 10, 1926 in a building shared with CH Defoe at 118 West Villard – the Buick Dealer in Dickinson since 1924. Sax had the Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oakland Agencies. Sax started with nine employees in the new Dickinson location. Resident Manager was R.E. Blenn. Main operations and corporate headquarters were relocated from Hebron to Dickinson on June 24, 1926.
1928
Moved to the Turner Building at 103 E Villard St., Dickinson ND
TURNER BUILDING – 103 E Villard St Dickinson ND
In August of 1928, Sax Purchased Holm Chevrolet in New England and Amidon, ND.
1941
On September 30, 1941, shareholders of Sax Motor Company of Dickinson and Sales and Service Company of Hebron voted to merge the two dealerships. This was finalized on December 31, 1941. The new Board consisted of F.C. Saxowsky, J.E. Gunderson, Gilbert Saxowsky, Armin Urban, and R.E. Dittus.
Early 1940's
Sax Aviation started as a branch. Sax Aviation trained pilots and ran charter flights, held air shows, and sold Cessna Aircraft.
1947-1948
Even though main operations moved to Dickinson in 1926, Sax continued to operate a branch in Hebron until 1947. In 1947, Sax agreed to sell the Hebron dealership to C.M. Helferich and that became the Auto Implement Company of Hebron.
Associate dealerships were located in Dunn Center, Killdeer, and New England ND.
Late 1940s
The Cadillac Brand was added at Sax Motor Co.
Sax OK used car lot located on East Villard St. where present day Auto Value Parts store is located. .
1952
A new showroom, second floor offices, and parts and service expansion were included in the “New in 52” redesigned dealership at 312 West Villard St.
1957
Long-time President and co-founder F.C. Saxowsky announced he would like to retire from the active Presidency and Gilbert Saxowsky was nominated for President.
1962
F.C. Saxowsky passes away in January.
1964
The name of the corporation was officially changed from The Sax Motor Company to Sax Motor Co., the name that remains to this day.
1970
Purchased the Heaton Property on the South side of Villard for car sales. Later built a new Sales Building on the property and ran the sales operations out of 301 West Villard ST.
1977
Gib Saxowsky receives the Time Magazine Dealer of Year award as nominated by the ND Auto Dealer Association.
1990s
Pam (Saxowsky) Kostelecky became the third-generation Saxowsky family member to own and operate the dealership.
Mid-90s
Opened a separate QuickLube operation at 431 W. Villard St. to perform quick service operations like oil changes, tire changes, and car detailing.
2002
Sax Motor Co. purchased Nordberg Chevrolet in Bowman N.D. and renamed the dealership Sax Motor Co. Southwest. Sax operated the dealership until the spring of 2013 when it consolidated the Bowman store into the Dickinson operations.
2005
Christian Kostelecky became the General Manager in 2005, and became the fourth generation dealer-operator in 2013.
2008
Pam Kostelecky receives the Time Dealer of Year award as nominated by the ND Auto Dealer Association.
2011
In January of 2011, Sax Motor Co. purchased Dean Bender Chevrolet in Killdeer, ND and renamed the dealership Sax Motor Co. Killdeer. Sax Motor Co. consolidated the Killdeer store into the Dickinson operations in the spring of 2012.
2013
Sax Motor Co. built a new facility on over 8 acres in North Dickinson and opened at 52 21st St E in January of 2013.
2014
In the fall of 2014, Sax moved some of its operations back to the newly renovated downtown location, and continues to have a presence in downtown Dickinson.
2020
Christian Kostelecky receives the Time Dealer of Year award as nominated by the ND Auto Dealer Association marking the first time 3 generations of Dealers from the same dealership earned the award in North Dakota.
2023
Sax Motor celebrates 100 years in business in Southwest North Dakota.