Hudson Dealerships


McClelland-Gentry Motor Co in Oklahoma City, OK

McClelland-Gentry Article
Above article appeared in The Hudson Triangle Vol.1 No. 6 from November 18, 1911.
A brief reference to this article followed in Vol.1 No. 7 from November 25, 1911.


In The Hudson Triangle Vol.1 No. 30 from May 4, 1912, the Strictly Personal section shares, "Jack McClelland... doesn't have to fight the discount bugaboo any more. Prospects realize they can't get HUDSONS on discounts and they're saving their breath. This is because Jack has a death-grip on list price. The idea is a money-maker."

The Horseless Age Vol. 35 No. 14 from April 17, 1915 informs, "Contracts have been let for the erection of a 60x140 ft concrete and white brick garage at the corner of Seventh street and Broadway, to be occupied by McClelland & Gentry, distibutors of the Hudson and Dodge cars in this state. In the rear of the structure will be a complete repair and service station for the cars represented by the firm."

Hudson Speedsters
August 28, 1920 Morning Tulsa Daily World


Who's Who in Finance and Banking: 1920-1922, edited by John Wiliam Leonard, gives us insight on dealership's partner French J. Gentry:
French J. Gentry of McClelland-Gentry

The Pacific reporter, Volume 152 was born on 13 Sep 1867 in HANNIBAL, RALLS, MO. He died in POND CREEK, OK. Parents: JOSEPH M. VI GENTRY and SALLIE GLASCOCK Berryman Family article - mentions the F. J. Gentry and Company Dog and Pony Show.
The RAilway age Vol 44 of 1907

Gentry and Jolly
Known as McClelland-Gentry into the 1930s. This clipping from 1935 shows it changed to Gentry and Jolly.

Oklahoma City Automobile Row

On the left at 811 N. Broadway was a Packard and Stutz dealer in 1920; in the middle was Norris Olds in 1917 but a Chevy dealership in the 1940s; on the right was Hudson distributor at 617 N. Broadway whom sold Hudsons at least into the 1930s.

McClelland-Gentry Today
Photo taken from the intersection of N Broadway Ave & NE 7th St.


The Oklahoma City Hudson dealership still retains its previous glory as part of Automobile Alley, which is where the dealers along Broadway were. This area fell into disrepair during the '60s through the '80s, and missed the "urban renewal" carnage of the day. Ironically, it took the Murrah bombing in 1995 to generate interest in the area. The bombing took place just one block West of Automobile Alley, and the blast blew out nearly every window of the buildings along Broadway, including the Hudson building, the Packard, Studebaker, Buick, Cadillac, and other buildings. The OKC Memorial and the resulting cleaning-up of the area renewed interest in the historic district. Some of the dealerships are now loft apartments or businesses. The Hudson Building has an original Hudson dealer neon sign (nearly 10' tall!) inside the lobby and visible from the street. It is now offices, but retains much of the '40s and '50s, especially. It's locally known as the Hudson-Essex loft and hosts events such as Chocolate Decadence.

Suggested Links:

Blog mentions dealership.





Courtesy HET JetSet - All Rights Reserved.