Portion of Athens Avenue Could Become ‘Templar Motors Way’

The plan to rename a portion of Athens Avenue after one of Lakewood most historic companies took another step this week.

Lakewood City Council is considering changing the name of the street to ‘Templar Motors Way’ in 750-foot stretch from Clarence to Halstead avenues.

Actually, Templar Avenue was the original name of what is now Athens Avenue.

Mary Louise Madigan, the Ward 4 councilwoman, recently introduced the measure to city council that would name a portion of Athens Avenue to honor the Templar Motors company as it approaches its 100-year anniversary.

“This allows us to recognize our city’s industrial history and highlight the innovation currently going on throughout the east end,” Madigan wrote to council.

Council’s public works committee discussed the idea further on Monday.

“This is one of the most historic – and oldest — buildings in Lakewood,” said David Buehler, who owns the final set of Templar cars and keeps them on the top floor of the building where the cars would have been assembled. 

 “It’s a historic asset and I am trying to share it with the community.”

Shawn Juris, the councilman who heads up the public works department, brought up a couple of concerns, including emergency rescue crews responding to an address. 

“By no means am I opposed,” he added.

“I don’t see there being any issues,” responded Madigan.

“Templar Motors Way” would run near the Lake Erie Screw Building, the former home of the Templar Motors company.

In its heyday, the company employed 900 workers; had sales centers in 32 states and 15 foreign countries. The company even attracted famous racecar driver Cannonball Baker. 

World War I limited production at the plant, as the building was used for manufacturing munitions.

The Great Depression signaled the end of the high-end automobile company.

“The building remains of great historical significance to our community,” Madigan said.

Buehler has conducted lots of research related to the company, which he’s shared with council.

 “It’s a West Side story, it’s a neighborhood story,” Buehler said. “And it’s a national and international story."