We toil daily in a small corner of the building located near downtown Indianapolis known as the Stutz Business Center.  The area, once home to over thirty early automobile pioneers, now is a mix of same manufacturers, warehouses, modern offices, and artists.  The rich history and creative energy make for a unique working environment.

The Stutz Business Center was once home to the Stutz Motor Car Co. and it predecessors, which were founded by Harry C. Stutz.  Stutz was a self-taught engineer who made enormous contributions to the automobile industry.

The native of Ohio, designed his first self-powered horseless carriage in 1898.  In 1900, he built a second car complete with an engine he designed himself. With the explosion of the automobile industry, Harry Stutz was not to be left behind and soon started a machine shop to perfect and construct gasoline engines.  This company was very successful and was sold to a larger company in Indianapolis.  Stutz accompanied his work to Indiana and promptly started working for various automobile companies, each more prestigious.  Stutz acted as the chief designer and facility director for several companies.  It was said when he left his job at the Marion Motor Company there were only a handful of shop drawings of parts manufactured on paper; the rest Harry Stutz had designed in his head.  The company had to hire 110 draftsman to recreate and draw every part of the Marion car.

In 1911, the first car was created under Stutz's name in Indianapolis.  Shortly after driving the first car off the line the model was entered in the first Indianapolis 500 race on May 30th, 1911.  The car had a solid finish and Stutz dubbed the model "The Car that Made Good in a Day."  The Stutz Company became successful and had several popular models including the Bearcat.  To produce the automobiles Stutz built a plant on Capitol Avenue and 10th Street, north of downtown Indianapolis.  Several years later, Harry sold out to investors.  At this point in time, Harry got out of the business and enjoyed his wealth.

The life of leisure didn't last long for Stutz and in 1919, he started a company that manufactured and sold fire engines.  He also started the HCS Motor Car Co. in Indianapolis to produce moderately priced cars.  These ventures didn't go as well as his previous companies.  In 1926, he moved to Florida until his death on June 26, 1930.