Our history

Art Rowley

The history of Rowley Brothers dates back to 1921. The company's founder, Art Rowley, started in business by vulcanizing inner tubes in the basement of his home.

One of Art's brothers, Dan, worked with him for about six months at that time. Another brother, Sam, worked with him and on a holiday, July 4th, 1923, they opened the first "Rowley Brothers" gasoline station.

The first gas station

Much of the early history of the company includes being a tire, oil, and gasoline retailer--as well as a wholesale distributor. A wood storage facility was constructed in 1927 and other gasoline stations were opened in 1928 and 1935.

1947 warehouse

Art Rowley bought out his brother Sam in 1942, and a new warehouse was constructed in 1947. Art's two sons both became active in the business. Paul in 1949, and Jim in 1957.

The gasoline operations, in addition to fuel oil routes, were all sold off in the 1960s. In 1965, an additional storage warehouse was purchased.

Rowleys Tires & Automotive Services

A new warehouse was built in 1967 to replace the other storage facilities. Rowley Brothers later expanded this new building--twice. First in 1968 with additional storage and three service bays--marking the re-entry for the company into the automobile service business. In 1972, four more service bays were added.

Extra storage buildings

Paul Rowley's oldest son, Keith, joined the company full time in the mid-1970s. Other storage buildings were constructed in 1974 and 1979, with the second of these being expanded in 1986.

Main warehouse

Paul Rowley's other son, Mike, has been full time with the company since 1983. Keith and Mike have each been owners in the company since the mid-1980s.

In 1987, a new warehouse and general office was built; the wholesale operations division of the company moved; and the automobile service business, operated by Jim Rowley, was transferred to another company owned by the Rowley family.

Additional building

Another storage building, for the wholesale business, was constructed in 1993.

In 1998, five loading docks and over 49,000 square feet of storage area was added to the main facility. A 6,400 square foot office expansion occurred in 1999.

Main warehouse

The company, now also known as Rowleys Wholesale, is proud of its history and the fact that it has represented some product lines for over seventy years.