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| The Hoosier Tour stops in Tonopah, Nevada. The Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives and The Horseless Age Photo |
The Lincoln Highway Association did not officially commence until July 1, 1913, but places across the country were on board with the proposed transcontinental highway even before the group's formation.
The Feb. 1, 1913, San Francisco Chronicle suggested that the creation of the highway "be taken up with great vigor by the businessmen of San Francisco."
"They all have automobiles and many of them are in the habit of making long touring expeditions," it reported. "The thought of a 3,000-mile ride from ocean to ocean over a dustless and mudless well-kept road is inspiring. Such a road will make the least possible wear and strain on the machine and would be quickly lined with rest and supply stations for the comfort and convenience of all.
"How much should be contributed by the business men of this city ought to be quickly figured out and something added for good measure. It is a matter which requires organized effort and we should get at it forthwith."
The idea to build the highway picked up steam as 1913 progressed, but how was it promoted?
The Feb. 1, 1913, San Francisco Chronicle suggested that the creation of the highway "be taken up with great vigor by the businessmen of San Francisco."
"They all have automobiles and many of them are in the habit of making long touring expeditions," it reported. "The thought of a 3,000-mile ride from ocean to ocean over a dustless and mudless well-kept road is inspiring. Such a road will make the least possible wear and strain on the machine and would be quickly lined with rest and supply stations for the comfort and convenience of all.
"How much should be contributed by the business men of this city ought to be quickly figured out and something added for good measure. It is a matter which requires organized effort and we should get at it forthwith."
The idea to build the highway picked up steam as 1913 progressed, but how was it promoted?
Trips taken by automotive and good roads leaders across the country played a big role starting with the Indiana Hoosier Tour.
Arranging the tour
Each year, the Hoosier Motor Club along with the Indiana Automobile Manufacturers' Association arranged for a automobile tour. However, in 1912, it was suggested that 1913's tour be done "on the road Mr. Fisher proposed," according to the Lincoln Highway Association.
"Mr. Fisher appreciated the value of such a trip in stimulating interest for roads but he was loath to associate his project for a transcontinental highway definitely with the trip because he foresaw that the public would assume the route taken by the Indianapolis men was the route selected for the Lincoln Highway," it stated. "This was exactly what happened in several instances, though Mr. Fisher had stated expressly and often that the Lincoln Highway's route would be laid out only after very complete investigation and careful study.
"Instead of proceeding as an adjunct to the Lincoln Highway Organization, therefore, the promoters of this trip sought and obtained the sponsorship of the Indiana Automobile Manufacturers' Association and the Hoosier Motor Club of Indianapolis. Under these conditions, Mr. Fisher cooperate heartily."
As word of the plan got out, many communities expressed interest especially out West.
"Whether or not the tour followed the route to be selected for the Lincoln Highway, it would certainly lay out a road which could be followed by automobiles, and would stimulate motor traffic to follow in its path," the LHA stated. "And so the western states and cities and even villages made strenuous efforts to have the Indiana men pass their way."
Tour scope
The trip was not for the average person.
"This tour was not just a care of picking up anyone who wanted to go; the personnel was selected very carefully," the LHA states.
Because of the scope of the trip experienced drivers and/or those who were a "specimen from a physical standpoint" were in demand.
"As the itinerary called for traversing points 11,000 feet above sea level, where exertion would be difficult for unacclimated persons, and as exertion of the most strenuous sort would surely be necessary to get the cars through, each man was required to pass a strict physical examination before acceptance," according to the LHA.
Who went on the trip?
Among the people to hit the road were Fisher; the Hoosier Tour's treasurer, R.P. Henderson; secretary, Joseph M. Ward; a medical corps, photographer, Edward McArdle; Hoosier Motor Club Secretary Captain W.S. Gilbreath; the tour's official speechmaker Charles A. Bookwalter; Elwood Haynes, pioneer automobile manufacturer; C.A. Brenston, tour observer for the Royal Automobile Club of England; Ray Harroun, automobile driver; W.O.L. Westgard, touring representative of the American Automobile Association;A.L. Westgard, American Highway Association representative; Chris Cox, mapmaker for Blue Book Corporation; and Fred Wellman, LHA press representative.
The group traveled in a variety of automobiles like a Marmon, Pilot "60," two Haynes, two American and a Brown truck.
Hitting the road
On July 1, 1913, they started from Indianapolis, Indiana, to the Pacific in support of the proposed Lincoln transcontinental rock highway to run from New York to San Francisco, the Fort Wayne Sentinel reported.
"The tour is said to be one of the greatest ever taken, both in length and magnitude of purpose," it stated.
"Many receptions and dinners have been planned for the tourists by the officials of the states and cities through which the automobiles will pass," according to the Sentinel. "The governors of some of the states have arranged to accompany the caravan through their states, included among these being (Elliot) Major of Missouri, (Elias) Ammons of Colorado, (William) Spry of Utah, and (Tasker) Oddie, of Nevada.
"Governor Hiram Johnson of California planned to meet tourists at the edge of his state and remain with them until the special train starts with them for home."
The group went to several states including Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California and along other auto routes as well like the Midland Trail.
Challenges
During the journey the group faced various obstacles that included taking a trip via ferry.
"The real feature of the run was the ferrying of cars across the Missouri," The Indianapolis Star reported on July 6. "A small boat, with a 900-year-old engine propelling a big stern wheel, did the work. Four cars would run aboard and then he carried across and up the stream. Cameras made their appearance for about the first time in wholesale quantities and dozens of snaps were made to show the cars on their steamer jaunt. After numerous trips, the old ferry landed the entire party in Booneville and a heart welcome was received."
In Colorado, travelers were escorted into Denver from the state line by chamber of commerce members. Later in Grand Junction they were given a reception that Fisher described as "the largest yet received," but getting there was a challenge.
After leaving Denver they had to cross Berthoud Pass, "up grades so steep some of the cars had to turn around on the narrow road and back up the worst stretches because the gasoline tanks were lower than the carburetors," the LHA reported.
Troubles would follow them west. After they left Salt Lake City "in a broiling sun," they encountered a storm that "drenched the hills and salt flats, set arroyos running bankfull, washed many a gully across the road, and started streams running down the ruts of former traffic."
"Presently it was the case of 'out shovels and all hands dig' to get down into, across and up out of the arroyos," according to the LHA.
The end of the trip
The group eventually made it to California where the group split. Some people went to San Francisco while others headed toward Los Angeles, but they eventually met up north of L.A. on Aug. 3, 1913, the 34th day of the trip.
Gilbreath, "sunburned and picturesque in high boots, red silk handkerchief bound around his head, khaki trousers and open-throated khaki shirt," was trying to find shade to rest for a few moments when a photographer asked him to pose.
"I guess he picked me because I was sunburned and carried flags and wore no hat," Gilbreath said. When we started, I had a couple of transcontinental highway pennants on the car; one from the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and one from the Hoosier Motor Club. As we went along I gathered others. Finally I got so many that the staff of the Hoosier Motor Club pennant, to which I had fastened them, would not hold any more. So at Price, Utah, I bought a rake, took the rake off and tacked the pennants on the handle. It made quite a show."
As for the photographer, they "had been trying to photograph me but he couldn't get a picture to satisfy him," he said.
"It was 112 in the shade and I was getting tired," Gilbreath said. "Just then somebody shouted that they wanted me to come and make a speech. The photographer asked for one more shot. I jumped up and stuck my hands up in the air, with the flags in one hand and the other one right up. 'How's this?' I said. He snapped it -- and it was the best picture of the whole lot."
"So was born a picture known ever afterward as The Spirit of the Lincoln Highway," the LHA stated.
The Indianapolis Star reported of the optimism expressed by men like Bookwalter.
"There was never anything like it," he said. "I can't describe it, but it was wonderful. Those who were not on the trip can't realize what it really was. It sure was great.
"There is absolutely no doubt but that we will have a national highway by 1916. Mr. Fisher calculates that the road will be a reality then, and he knows."
Sources:
1. (1913, Feb. 1). "A Highway from Sea to Sea: Proposal to Build a High-Class Road from New York to San Francisco." San Francisco Chronicle, p.6.
2. (1913, July 1). "Off on Auto Tour to Pacific Coast: Twenty-Two Big Cars Make the Start Today From Indianapolis." Fort Wayne Sentinel, p. 1.
3. (1913, July 6). "Good Roads Aid Auto Tourists: Hoosiers Travel Over Perfect Section On Run Between Columbia and Kansas City." The Indianapolis Star, p. 6.
4. (1913, Aug. 3). "Predict Road To Frisco By 1916: Bookwalter and Fisher, Back From Tour, Enthusiastic About Highway Plans." The Indianapolis Star, p. 24.
5. (1935). The Lincoln Highway Association: The story of a crusade that made transportation history, New York, NY: Dodd, Mead & Company.
Arranging the tour
Each year, the Hoosier Motor Club along with the Indiana Automobile Manufacturers' Association arranged for a automobile tour. However, in 1912, it was suggested that 1913's tour be done "on the road Mr. Fisher proposed," according to the Lincoln Highway Association.
"Mr. Fisher appreciated the value of such a trip in stimulating interest for roads but he was loath to associate his project for a transcontinental highway definitely with the trip because he foresaw that the public would assume the route taken by the Indianapolis men was the route selected for the Lincoln Highway," it stated. "This was exactly what happened in several instances, though Mr. Fisher had stated expressly and often that the Lincoln Highway's route would be laid out only after very complete investigation and careful study.
"Instead of proceeding as an adjunct to the Lincoln Highway Organization, therefore, the promoters of this trip sought and obtained the sponsorship of the Indiana Automobile Manufacturers' Association and the Hoosier Motor Club of Indianapolis. Under these conditions, Mr. Fisher cooperate heartily."
As word of the plan got out, many communities expressed interest especially out West.
"Whether or not the tour followed the route to be selected for the Lincoln Highway, it would certainly lay out a road which could be followed by automobiles, and would stimulate motor traffic to follow in its path," the LHA stated. "And so the western states and cities and even villages made strenuous efforts to have the Indiana men pass their way."
Tour scope
The trip was not for the average person.
"This tour was not just a care of picking up anyone who wanted to go; the personnel was selected very carefully," the LHA states.
Because of the scope of the trip experienced drivers and/or those who were a "specimen from a physical standpoint" were in demand.
"As the itinerary called for traversing points 11,000 feet above sea level, where exertion would be difficult for unacclimated persons, and as exertion of the most strenuous sort would surely be necessary to get the cars through, each man was required to pass a strict physical examination before acceptance," according to the LHA.
Who went on the trip?
Among the people to hit the road were Fisher; the Hoosier Tour's treasurer, R.P. Henderson; secretary, Joseph M. Ward; a medical corps, photographer, Edward McArdle; Hoosier Motor Club Secretary Captain W.S. Gilbreath; the tour's official speechmaker Charles A. Bookwalter; Elwood Haynes, pioneer automobile manufacturer; C.A. Brenston, tour observer for the Royal Automobile Club of England; Ray Harroun, automobile driver; W.O.L. Westgard, touring representative of the American Automobile Association;A.L. Westgard, American Highway Association representative; Chris Cox, mapmaker for Blue Book Corporation; and Fred Wellman, LHA press representative.
The group traveled in a variety of automobiles like a Marmon, Pilot "60," two Haynes, two American and a Brown truck.
Hitting the road
On July 1, 1913, they started from Indianapolis, Indiana, to the Pacific in support of the proposed Lincoln transcontinental rock highway to run from New York to San Francisco, the Fort Wayne Sentinel reported.
"The tour is said to be one of the greatest ever taken, both in length and magnitude of purpose," it stated.
"Many receptions and dinners have been planned for the tourists by the officials of the states and cities through which the automobiles will pass," according to the Sentinel. "The governors of some of the states have arranged to accompany the caravan through their states, included among these being (Elliot) Major of Missouri, (Elias) Ammons of Colorado, (William) Spry of Utah, and (Tasker) Oddie, of Nevada.
"Governor Hiram Johnson of California planned to meet tourists at the edge of his state and remain with them until the special train starts with them for home."
The group went to several states including Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California and along other auto routes as well like the Midland Trail.
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| Hoosier Tour speechmaker Charles Bookwater of Indianapolis speaks to residents in Brazil, Indiana. The Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives and The Horseless Age Photo |
During the journey the group faced various obstacles that included taking a trip via ferry.
"The real feature of the run was the ferrying of cars across the Missouri," The Indianapolis Star reported on July 6. "A small boat, with a 900-year-old engine propelling a big stern wheel, did the work. Four cars would run aboard and then he carried across and up the stream. Cameras made their appearance for about the first time in wholesale quantities and dozens of snaps were made to show the cars on their steamer jaunt. After numerous trips, the old ferry landed the entire party in Booneville and a heart welcome was received."
 |
| Automobiles ferry across the Missouri River outside Booneville, Missouri The Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives and The Horseless Age Photo. |
In Colorado, travelers were escorted into Denver from the state line by chamber of commerce members. Later in Grand Junction they were given a reception that Fisher described as "the largest yet received," but getting there was a challenge.
After leaving Denver they had to cross Berthoud Pass, "up grades so steep some of the cars had to turn around on the narrow road and back up the worst stretches because the gasoline tanks were lower than the carburetors," the LHA reported.
 |
| Hoosier Tour travelers face a tough task in the Rocky Mountains Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives and The Horseless Age Photo |
Troubles would follow them west. After they left Salt Lake City "in a broiling sun," they encountered a storm that "drenched the hills and salt flats, set arroyos running bankfull, washed many a gully across the road, and started streams running down the ruts of former traffic."
"Presently it was the case of 'out shovels and all hands dig' to get down into, across and up out of the arroyos," according to the LHA.
The end of the trip
The group eventually made it to California where the group split. Some people went to San Francisco while others headed toward Los Angeles, but they eventually met up north of L.A. on Aug. 3, 1913, the 34th day of the trip.
Gilbreath, "sunburned and picturesque in high boots, red silk handkerchief bound around his head, khaki trousers and open-throated khaki shirt," was trying to find shade to rest for a few moments when a photographer asked him to pose.
"I guess he picked me because I was sunburned and carried flags and wore no hat," Gilbreath said. When we started, I had a couple of transcontinental highway pennants on the car; one from the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and one from the Hoosier Motor Club. As we went along I gathered others. Finally I got so many that the staff of the Hoosier Motor Club pennant, to which I had fastened them, would not hold any more. So at Price, Utah, I bought a rake, took the rake off and tacked the pennants on the handle. It made quite a show."
As for the photographer, they "had been trying to photograph me but he couldn't get a picture to satisfy him," he said.
"It was 112 in the shade and I was getting tired," Gilbreath said. "Just then somebody shouted that they wanted me to come and make a speech. The photographer asked for one more shot. I jumped up and stuck my hands up in the air, with the flags in one hand and the other one right up. 'How's this?' I said. He snapped it -- and it was the best picture of the whole lot."
"So was born a picture known ever afterward as The Spirit of the Lincoln Highway," the LHA stated.
The Indianapolis Star reported of the optimism expressed by men like Bookwalter.
"There was never anything like it," he said. "I can't describe it, but it was wonderful. Those who were not on the trip can't realize what it really was. It sure was great.
"There is absolutely no doubt but that we will have a national highway by 1916. Mr. Fisher calculates that the road will be a reality then, and he knows."
Sources:
1. (1913, Feb. 1). "A Highway from Sea to Sea: Proposal to Build a High-Class Road from New York to San Francisco." San Francisco Chronicle, p.6.
2. (1913, July 1). "Off on Auto Tour to Pacific Coast: Twenty-Two Big Cars Make the Start Today From Indianapolis." Fort Wayne Sentinel, p. 1.
3. (1913, July 6). "Good Roads Aid Auto Tourists: Hoosiers Travel Over Perfect Section On Run Between Columbia and Kansas City." The Indianapolis Star, p. 6.
4. (1913, Aug. 3). "Predict Road To Frisco By 1916: Bookwalter and Fisher, Back From Tour, Enthusiastic About Highway Plans." The Indianapolis Star, p. 24.
5. (1935). The Lincoln Highway Association: The story of a crusade that made transportation history, New York, NY: Dodd, Mead & Company.
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