From Freeborn to Colorado, and now back to Freeborn is one way to highlight the history of a 84-year-old Model T Ford, which is an interesting part of this community’s heritage.

This particular automobile was purchased new in 1926 by Soren Sorensen, a Freeborn pioneer, from a dealership located in what’s still known as the Marpe Garage.

Later in life, Sorensen passed the car on to his daughter, Elsie, who was the local postmistress for many years. In the early 1980s, she sold her vehicle to Dixon Smith, the son of the Methodist minister in Alden. Smith married Iola Jane Smith of Freeborn and they later moved to Golden, Colo. Iola Smith died March 28, 2008, and is buried in the Freeborn Cemetery.

In June that same year Dixon Smith decided to donate the antique automobile to the City of Freeborn in memory of his wife. He contacted Bonnie Schuster of the Freeborn Frisbee newsletter, who turned the process over to the Freeborn Area Heritage Society. The actual transaction was arranged through the Freeborn American Legion post because Smith wanted to make it as a tax-free charitable donation.

Dr. Al Mendenhall, president of the Freeborn Area Heritage Society, went to Colorado in October 2010 and brought the automobile back to Freeborn on a trailer. He stored the vehicle in his garage for the winter.

This particular car is in very good condition and still runs.

Now the community is invited to attend a pancake breakfast at the Freeborn Legion from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 10. Proceeds will be used to help finance a new display building for this 1926 Model T Ford.