History Photos taken before WW2 - history in black and white

Pint sized operator in a Maxwell.

 

OSHA would go nuts in here.....

 

Quimby's Garage, Ardsley, NY.

 

All -
our friend T-H posted this interesting photo a while back, so I thought I would tell what I know about it. This image resides in the Shipler Commercial Photographers Collection at the Utah Historical Society. The Shipler family were well known photographers in Salt Lake and documented many early automotive subjects. I have know of this photo for many years and it has always perplexed and interested me.

T-H listed the date as 1915, which is understandable with the advert or the Exposition on the hood. Actaully, the photo was taken Sept. 21, 1912 which makes more sense when looking at the vehicle and the touring equipment. Those impressive double prestolite tanks and rest of the equipment indicate a transcontinental run hell-bent on getting to New York by running for long periods both day and night.

Some playing with the contrast of the photo in various software reveals the text "Crosbie Reslient Tire Co." lettered on the gas tank. I found a reference to this company, in court records regarding a forgery case, indicating that the company was incorperted in San Fransico in 1910 or 11 for the purpose of exploiting and marketing a patent resilient spring tire. The court case was about a large sum of money, obtained by forgery, that was invested in the company.

So, what I think we have here is a pre-Lincoln Highway, transcontinental endurance run, staged by Crosby Resilient Tire Co. to promote their special non-pneumatic automobile tire. The advert for the 1915 Exposition was just along for the ride. A good friend of mine tells me that the Exposition was promoted agressively for several years before the 1915 date, in the automobile world. A trascontinental run would have been effective advertising. A search of Salt Lake newspapers, available for the 1912 date, however, don't mention it.

As for what the car actually is, I don't know. My first reaction when I saw the image was ALCO, especially around the firewall, but I will leave the determination to the more informed.

Did they make it to New York City? Don't know. Some one with ready access to period New York newspapers could probably find out. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Bob.

 

A very muddy T!

 

The tires certainly appear to be unconventional.
Mart.

 

This Linn half track, carrying 5-8 ton loads, was operated by Hancock Bros (Sawmillers), Ipswich, Queensland:

 

Another Linn operated by Hancock & Gore. This one has a trailer unit. Carrying 5-10 ton:

 

Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast - 1916:

 

James St (the main street) Burleigh Heads - 1927:

 

Tallebudgeera Creek bridge opening ceremony -1926:

 

The first life saving team at Burleigh Heads - 1918:

 

Accomodation:

 

Tallebudgeera Creek bridge in the background - 1929:

 

Similar photo taken in 1930:

 

An early Studebaker publicity photo showing
a brand new Studebaker limousine in front
of the recently opened Studebaker agency in
Salt Lake City Utah - circa 1905.

Mart3406
============================

 

A row of new, 'Toronto, Canada-built' Russel
cars in front of Toronto City Hall - circa 1909.

"Line of Russell cars, by the Russell
Motor Car Company, sitting outside
Toronto City Hall, Ontario, Canada.
The builder, T.A. Russell, sits beside
the driver in the first car. T.A.
(Tommy) Russell was a prominent
east-end resident, and the man
behind the Canadian Cycle and
Motor Company Ltd. (CC&M for
short), and was later president
of the Massey-Harris (later
Massey-Ferguson) company."

Mart3406
==================================

 

Mart--this is one of my favourites. I believe it is actually about 1905-1906. I'd love to see this recreated, but there's only one or maybe two of these left, as far as I know. Hoping to see the one I know for certain next Saturday.

 

Can anyone identify the car? LOC photo.

 

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It maybe an early Garford or Studebaker.

 

A bid mid teens Olds....

 

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Woodward Avenue, between 6 Mile Road and 7 Mile Road, 1908.


Woodward Avenue, between 6 Mile Road and 7 Mile Road, 1909. In 1909, the stretch of Woodward Avenue between Six Mile and Seven Mile Roads became the first mile of road in the world to be paved with concrete.


Woodward Avenue and Michigan Avenue, 1920. In 1920, Woodward and Michigan was the busiest intersection in the world.


Belle Isle Motor Coach Station, 1923. The amusement park in the background was called “Electric Park” and was condemned as an eyesore and demolished within five years of this picture.


Davison Avenue, 1941. Davison Avenue was one of the busiest cross-town routes in pre-War Detroit. To better handle the traffic volumes, the whole street was dug up and turned into the world’s first urban, depressed expressway. Expressways have been depressing urban areas ever since.


Davison Freeway, 1942. I hope you’ll indulge this one war-time photo, as it makes a handy bookend not only to the shot of Davison Avenue, above, but to this whole photo history of auto-based transportation in Detroit in the first half of the 20th Century.

-Dave