Who was the First Caterpillar Dealer for NC?

Maybe this is better of the pic

Here is some additional info from the EF Craven Archives:
1907 Eli Franklin Craven sold road building machinery built by various manufacturers
1918 Craven built his first office building (13,000 square feet) on Morehead Avenue in Greensboro, NC
1925 Craven built larger three-story building adjoining his existing one and facing on Elm Street
1926 Craven incorporated his business as E. F. Craven Company. His son Franklin Duval Craven began working for him as a salesman
1964 F. Duval Craven became President of the company after his father's death
Nov. 1975 E. F. Craven Company was sold to Brocar, Inc., retaining same officers and employees. Company's name changed to EFC Associates, Inc.
1978 F. Duval Craven retired
1993 Mar. 30 Death of F. Duval Craven

Although Eli Franklin Craven founded the company named for him, the Craven family's involvement in the sale of road-building machinery began with his father Eli Asbury Craven (1824-1912). The elder Craven, a Methodist minister, sold farm and road machinery in Causey, NC before 1895. Around the turn of the century, both he and his son represented Acme Road Machinery, a company based in Frankfort, New York. Eli F. Craven sold machines produced by other companies as well, including Studebaker Brothers, Russell Grader Manufacturing Company, and John Deere Plow Company. Soon he became known to his customers as "E. F. Craven, the Road Machinery Man."

Craven's business flourished after the 1921 issuance of North Carolina's first road bonds. In 1926, after the incorporation of the company, Craven changed the slogan to "E. F. Craven Company, the Road Machinery Men," and sales totalled over $1,000,000.00. Eli Franklin Craven was manager. His son, F. Duval Craven, worked for the company as a salesperson.

During the 1940's, Franklin Duval Craven took an increasingly active role in the management of the company. Duval served as General Manager by 1948. At his father's death in 1964, he became the president of E. F. Craven Company. At this time, his brother Edwin Asbury Craven (1909-1966) was Vice-President and Treasurer. In 1977, F. Duval Craven gave up many of the operating responsibilities of the company. Charles A. Hines, Jr. became President and Chief Operating Officer.

In November 1975, F. Duval Craven sold the company to John J. Brogan of West Chatham, Massachusetts and Charles C. Carson of New York City (Brocar, Inc.), who changed the name to EFC Associates. The company retained the same officers and staff.

Interesting reading. What a coincidence, about three months ago I purchased a large quantity of Bucyrus-Erie manuals from somebody and they had this company's name on some of them. I think he bought them at an auction.
Hey Eric, Is the last picture a copy from the last show your chapter had?😖mokin:

Erik, thank you posting. Very interesting!

Thanks guys
You read alot of stuff but it is really neat to read notes from someones personnal experanices. I wonder if anyone has more information about the R & D projects best was doing.

my freaking forklift is so old, sometimes I feel like I bought it from the first dealer in history.... It's only a few years old yet is covered in so many scratches, scuffs, and dings that I might as well make this page my homepage.

Ironically, I bought it in NC.

My May 15th, 1934 dealer book shows Carolina Tractor & Equipment Co. South Main Ext., Salisbury and Raleigh Tractor & Equipment Co.108W. Lane St., Raleigh for that era.

I have a 1924 Holt 10 Ton that came from the Tractor and Machinery Sales Co. of
Raleigh and Richmond, Va.

I am sure that they sold Cat's after 1925.


Do not know if they relate to the Carolina Tractor & Equipment Co. South Main Ext., Salisbury and Raleigh.

Tag on the 10 Ton