The Owatonna Post 77 Hack

A Hackney is a smaller, lighter stage coach and was primarily used for short distance travel.

Hacks were known as the horse drawn precursor to modern taxis, shuttle buses and mail delivery vehicles.

The Hack dates to around 1920 when Owatonna American Legion Post 77 decided it wanted something unique and charming to bring to area parades. Then Commander Mark Alexander, along with a committee of Owen Gierhart, Vern Denny and Bill Rushe, conceived the concept of mounting a horse drawn Hackney body on a Model T Ford chassis. The Hack body was

obtained from the Jefferson and Twiford Livery Stable.

Frank Sparber was the last to drive the Hack with a team of black ponies. He met all passenger

trains at the three local Owatonna train depots and shuttled passengers to and from the

Owatonna Hotel. Sometime after World War One the Hack was replaced with a taxi.

The Legion purchased a 1919 Model T Ford Roadster from Ben Sorenson. Eventually a 1927

Model T engine with only 300 miles was installed. The current Model T engine appears to be

from 1925, serial number 11011513. For nearly a century, the Hack had become beloved not

only locally but also statewide and nationwide. It appeared in the American Legion national

convention parade held in Minneapolis in 1959 and the Laughlin Nevada River Days parade in

1987.

The Hack sat in a machine shed in Pratt out of service for a number of years until 2025 when

Ken Gleason took on the task of getting the Hack running again. Dick Wodnik, Don Matejcek, Monte Mowry and Tom and John from Sweet Repair assisted Gleason. Gleason donated his labor and Kevin Cristey paid for the parts. The Hack was driven in the 2026 Memorial day parade by Levi Hanson who was accompanied by Post 77 Commander Todd Schwanke, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 77 Commander Gordy Hanson and Post 77 Auxiliary President Sarah Busho.

The Hack symbolizes the Legions commitment to honoring Veterans, strengthening families,

and engaging in community service.