Archive for June, 2012

Indiana Lincoln Highway Association Events

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012

The Indiana Lincoln Highway Association has two upcoming events to suit your two-lane road adventures. The first is the Indiana Landmarks’ Lincoln Highway Adventure and Moveable Feast on July 21, 2012, and the other is the Centennial Kickoff Celebration event in Indianapolis on September 21-22, 2012.


Lincoln Highway Adventure

Lincoln Highway Adventure
Copyright ©2012 Indiana Lincoln Highway Association

The Indiana Landmarks’ Lincoln Highway Adventure will explore the historic Lincoln Highway Byway’s 1913 route through St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Noble Counties on July 21, 2012. The adventure is a partnership of the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association and Indiana Landmarks.

This year, adventurers will follow the highway east from South Bend through scenic landscapes; explore historic sites, and enjoy dining and shopping in towns along the route, including Mishawaka, Elkhart, Goshen, Ligonier, Kimmell, and Wolf Lake. They will end the day in Ligonier, where the Movable Feast showcases landmarks including the 1889 Ahavas Sholom Temple, 1899 Solomon Mier House, 1839 Stone’s Trace Historic Site, 1879 Kimmell House, and 1930 Luckey Hospital Museum.

Each registered vehicle will receive an Adventure Bag with a dash plaque, discount coupons, and Adventure Passport Booklet containing information about sites along the route with turn-by-turn directions. Check in via FourSquare or stay connected through your other favorite social media during the adventure. The Lincoln Highway Adventure welcomes families, car clubs and caravans.

For more information, contact Indiana Landmarks’ Northern Regional Office, 574-232-4534, north@indianalandmarks.org, or the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association website http://indianalincolnhighway.org. Buy tickets to the adventure and the Movable Feast online at http://adventure2012.eventbrite.com/

The Lincoln Highway Centennial Kickoff Celebration in Indianapolis on September 21-22, 2012, is your chance to experience the place where it all began…inspired by Hoosier visionary Carl G. Fisher. The event features two days of festivities relating to Fisher’s announcement of the country’s first transcontinental highway in September 1912.


Lincoln Highway Centennial Kickoff

Lincoln Highway Centennial Kickoff
Copyright ©2012 Indiana Lincoln Highway Association

On Friday, Sept. 21st: Tours include the Carl Fisher and James Allison Estates at Marian University, visit to Crown Hill Cemetery to auto industrialist gravesites and tour of the historic Stutz Building. Optional IMAX film on historic roads in Indiana is in the evening at the Indiana State Museum, along with a book signing by Indiana auto historians/historic roads authors.

On Saturday, Sept. 22nd: A morning Indiana Auto Pioneer Tour interpreted by auto historian Dennis E. Horvath; a historic recreation of the luncheon at the Athenaeum, where Carl G, Fisher announced his vision for America’s first transcontinental road; Jeff Kuehl as Carl G. Fisher, The Father of the Lincoln Highway; and a unique Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway-built by Carl G. Fisher and three business partners.

For more information, contact Indiana Lincoln Highway Association Office, 574-210-6278. See the event registration form, www.IndianaLincolnHighway.org.

I feel that these are two excellent opportunities to experience some Indiana Lincoln Highway adventures. I look forward to welcoming you to Indianapolis on September 21 & 22. Come join the fun.

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Indiana’s Historic National Road Part 1

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

This post marks the beginning of my series on Indiana’s Historic National Road.

Construction of Indiana’s section of the National Road from Richmond to West Terre Haute took place between 1827 and 1835. The road survives earlier competition from railroads, interurbans, and the interstate system. More than 185 years later, Indiana’s Historic National Road serves as a National Scenic Byway where you can kick-back and reminisce about travel in earlier times.

In this installment, we’ll discuss National Road attractions in Richmond Indiana. Begin your trip where the National Road (U.S. 40) enters Indiana on Richmond’s east side (I-70 Exit 156). The Old National Road Welcome Center is left (south) on Industrial Parkway just after the railroad overpass. The center has a plethora of information on the East, Central, and West Indiana Regions of the Road as well as other points of interest. Be sure to check out all of the National Road items in the gift shop.

Continue west to the Madonna of the Trail monument at the west entrance of Glenn Miller Park at 22nd and Main. The 18-foot statue dedicated in 1928 by then judge Harry S. Truman was commissioned and erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution as a tribute to the early pioneers who trekked westward. There are also four similar statues along the National Road.

At the NW corner of 17th and Main is the Miller Milkhouse, a drive-through market. (Another Miller’s location is a side trip just west of downtown: North off U.S. 40 at the corner of NW 3rd Street and Main.)

Where U.S. 40 jogs right (north), continue on North A Street. On route is the Wayne County Historical Museum at 1150 North A Street, which has a collection of seven of the 14 automotive makes built in Richmond. One of the most interesting is the original condition 1907 Richmond Model J1 Merry Widow Runabout. Another is the 1939 Crosley Convertible and other Crosley Corporation items.


1939 Crosley Convertible and other Crosley Corporation items

1939 Crosley Convertible
and other Crosley Corporation items
Copyright ©2012 Dennis E. Horvath

After leaving the museum, go left (south) on 11th Street to Main Street and turn right (west) for the original National Road. This two-lane strip of retail shops has many original buildings. For an automotive side trip at 9th Street, turn right (north) and go two blocks to Elm Place and turn left (west), go one block to 8th Street and turn left (south). Go one block (south) to visit the Model T Ford Museum at 309 North 8th Street.

The Model T Ford Museum showcases the car that “put the world on wheels.” One car currently on display is a 1908 touring car believed to be the earliest Model T in existence. One of the museum’s most popular vehicles is a 1924 Model T Army ambulance. This car is in high demand for local parade duty. The museum’s gift shop contains many unique Model T items. Before leaving the area, check out Historic Depot District for many interesting shops and restaurants. I recommend eating at Fire House BBQ and Blues at 300 North 8th Street.


1924 Model T Ambulance

1924 Model T Ambulance
Copyright ©2012 Dennis E. Horvath

Continue your trip one block south to Main Street and then turn right (west). West of the Wayne County Courthouse turn left (south) onto 3rd Street to pick up U.S. 40 again. Approximately 4.5 miles from the Wayne County Courthouse on the north side of the road is a historic stone mile marker, showing nine miles to the state line, four and one-half miles to Richmond, and one mile to Centerville.

This ends this installment of Indiana’s Historic National Road. Check back for further installments detailing experiences along Indiana’s section of the Nation’s first federally funded highway.

Links to other parts of Indiana’s Historic National Road

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Carl G. Fisher’s thoughts on electric automobiles

Monday, June 11th, 2012

Recently, while perusing my automobilia collection, I found a letter reflecting Carl G. Fisher’s thoughts on electric automobiles. This letter, dated June 18, 1909, on Fisher Automobile Company letterhead, presents his thoroughness in recommending new cars.


Fisher Automobile Company Letterhead

Fisher Automobile Company Letterhead
Copyright ©1909 Carl G. Fisher

In the first paragraph Fisher states: “Heretofore, I have refrained from handling the Electric Automobile for the reason that I considered the manufacture of this type of car had not made sufficient advance in construction.” He goes on to state the reasons that he finds that the Baker Motor Vehicle Co. has adopted the best obtainable material regardless of cost. He further states: “Their ten years of experience in the manufacture of these electric carriages, together with constant development has produced a more perfect harmony of construction than can be found elsewhere.”

Fisher’s highlights in recommending the Baker electric included:

  • The Baker motor used bearings that eliminate friction giving results over other makes.
  • Baker construction and adjustment saved power thus yielding more mileage between recharge and a greater speed.
  • The battery plates lasted longer, therefore lowering maintenance costs.

In concluding his evaluation he states: “I have proven beyond a question of doubt the superiority of the Baker Electric and do not hesitate to recommend it.”

Fisher’s enticement to electric car prospects reads: “To a purchaser of the Baker Electric the Fisher Automobile Co. will garage the car for $25 per month; this includes a thorough inspection, charging, washing, cleaning, polishing, calling for and delivering once per day. To those who prefer keeping their car at home, we will for one year give you two thorough inspections per month free.”

I originally purchased this letter to have Carl G. Fisher’s autograph. Today, I enjoy it for the interesting look into Indiana automotive history. This letter provides an example of retailing by one of America’s early auto dealers. Fisher prided himself in representing leading American automobiles. Over the years, in addition to Baker Electric, Fisher represented National, Overland, Packard, REO, and Stoddard-Dayton.

In addition to sales, his 400 North Capital Avenue location on the edge of Indianapolis’ business district provided service and storage of customer’s autos. The location became the keystone of Indianapolis Automobile Row in following decades. Today, automotive retail has moved to the suburbs.

So, there you have some early thoughts on electric automobiles.

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Automotive Literature Vendors

Monday, June 4th, 2012

I frequently get requests from persons wanting to sell automotive literature. They usually want to know if there is any market for something they found in a relative’s collection. This article is my attempt to assist with disposing of or acquiring automotive literature.


Fisher Automobile Company Letterhead

Fisher Automobile Company Letterhead
Copyright ©1909 Carl G. Fisher

The automotive literature dealer I am most familiar with is
PJ’s Autolit. I have purchased and sold many items with Paul Strohbehn over the years at swap meets. I find him to be a great resource for advertisements, dealer literature, and color chip charts.

Paul lists the most popular makes on his Web site. If you have a specific request like a Studebaker or Stutz ad, you can e-mail him your request and receive a reply shortly.

Another dealer I know of is Miller’s Automobile Literature. When he started in 1974, there were about six automotive literature dealers across the country. He has an incredible collection, including advertisements, dealer literature, postcards, drawings, posters, and billboards.

Today, with over 2 million items in stock, his operation fills orders from around the world.

A third vendor is McLellan’s Automotive History. Robert McLellan started selling automotive literature in the 1960’s. He has over 150,000 items available, including sales literature, dealer literature, photographs, owner’s manuals, service manuals, technical books, and racing and auto show catalogs.

His inventory is updated daily, and he claims to have on-line photographs for all items.

I hope this helps you find or dispose of that automotive literature in your garage.

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