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Travel has changed a lot over the decades, and innovations like the automobile gave people new ways to enjoy it. Car ownership was becoming more and more common, allowing Americans to spend their vacation time on the road traveling to the coast, to resorts in other states, or to various tourist attractions. The automobile became the center of middle and working class life and brought long-distance travel within reach.
Travel has changed a lot over the decades, and innovations like the automobile gave people new ways to enjoy it. Car ownership was becoming more and more common, allowing Americans to spend their vacation time on the road traveling to the coast, to resorts in other states, or to various tourist attractions. The automobile became the center of middle and working class life and brought long-distance travel within reach.
Motoring
Motoring
As the work week got shorter, motoring for the fun of it became a leisure-time activity. In a sense, all early automobiles were recreational vehicles: their main purpose was to provide enjoyment, exhilaration, adventure, and a feeling of control. Despite the many faults of early automobiles, people eagerly seized upon the new invention as a source of recreation.
As the work week got shorter, motoring for the fun of it became a leisure-time activity. In a sense, all early automobiles were recreational vehicles: their main purpose was to provide enjoyment, exhilaration, adventure, and a feeling of control. Despite the many faults of early automobiles, people eagerly seized upon the new invention as a source of recreation.
From "The Sun" (Baltimore, 1922):
From "The Sun" (Baltimore, 1922):
“Driving a motorcar is better exercise than walking, according to Dr. Royal S. Copeland, Commissioner of Health of New York City... According to the doctor the slight physical effort needed in moving the steering wheel reacts on the muscles of the arms and abdomen... the doctor maintains that the motorcar is a wonderful aid in maintaining health and promoting happiness.”
“Driving a motorcar is better exercise than walking, according to Dr. Royal S. Copeland, Commissioner of Health of New York City... According to the doctor the slight physical effort needed in moving the steering wheel reacts on the muscles of the arms and abdomen... the doctor maintains that the motorcar is a wonderful aid in maintaining health and promoting happiness.”
By the early 1900s, automobile touring was becoming a fashionable activity. For the first twenty or so years of the century the motorcar was designed and marketed primarily as a pleasure vehicle. Leisure, especially the two-day weekend and the paid vacation, became a permanent feature of working-class society.
By the early 1900s, automobile touring was becoming a fashionable activity. For the first twenty or so years of the century the motorcar was designed and marketed primarily as a pleasure vehicle. Leisure, especially the two-day weekend and the paid vacation, became a permanent feature of working-class society.
Posing for a photograph with an automobile was a popular thing to do back in the early days of motoring, as even having a ride in a car was a big event for many people at the time.
Posing for a photograph with an automobile was a popular thing to do back in the early days of motoring, as even having a ride in a car was a big event for many people at the time.
Reed family with Mary Jane 2nd from right and Ethelene behind her
In the first decade of the 20th century, steering wheels could also appear on the right-hand side of the car--even when people also drove on the right-hand side of the road. By 1920, the steering wheel in American cars was standardized on the left-hand side of the car.
In the first decade of the 20th century, steering wheels could also appear on the right-hand side of the car--even when people also drove on the right-hand side of the road. By 1920, the steering wheel in American cars was standardized on the left-hand side of the car.
Pictured here is the Nicholson family: Leonard, May and their son Leonard, Jr., c. 1912.
Driving along an empty highway still evokes a sense of freedom and release from the pressures and concerns of everyday life. Eager to test the technological limits of his automobile, Lewis Reed set off on far-reaching excursions between about 1910 and 1915.
Driving along an empty highway still evokes a sense of freedom and release from the pressures and concerns of everyday life. Eager to test the technological limits of his automobile, Lewis Reed set off on far-reaching excursions between about 1910 and 1915.
Between stretches of open road, there were towns to explore.
Main street in Clarksburg, Maryland, c. 1913
Lewis Reed’s “Sunday Prowlers”
Lewis Reed’s “Sunday Prowlers”
If you’re a person of a certain age you may remember the “Sunday drive.” Not to be confused with driving on Sunday, the Sunday drive meant climbing into the car with your family and friends, for no particular purpose other than to get out of town, take in the scenery, and enjoy the pleasure of moving.
If you’re a person of a certain age you may remember the “Sunday drive.” Not to be confused with driving on Sunday, the Sunday drive meant climbing into the car with your family and friends, for no particular purpose other than to get out of town, take in the scenery, and enjoy the pleasure of moving.
The Sunday Prowlers
Lewis Reed belonged to a group of drivers that called themselves the “Sunday Prowlers”. A typical day may have been going to church, coming home for Sunday dinner, spending a little time after the meal on the porch talking or dozing, and then piling into the car for a ride around town or into the country. True to his character, Lewis Reed always had his camera to take snapshots along the way.
Lewis Reed belonged to a group of drivers that called themselves the “Sunday Prowlers”. A typical day may have been going to church, coming home for Sunday dinner, spending a little time after the meal on the porch talking or dozing, and then piling into the car for a ride around town or into the country. True to his character, Lewis Reed always had his camera to take snapshots along the way.
Vacationing
Vacationing
Popular destinations 100 years ago included legendary hotels, mountain resorts, and national parks. From the White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia, to Niagara Falls in New York, here is a look at several historic resort areas that illustrate the range of vacations that Lewis Reed and his family took in the early- to mid-20th century.
Popular destinations 100 years ago included legendary hotels, mountain resorts, and national parks. From the White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia, to Niagara Falls in New York, here is a look at several historic resort areas that illustrate the range of vacations that Lewis Reed and his family took in the early- to mid-20th century.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
The 1900s saw the rise of Atlantic City, New Jersey as a popular vacation destination. Once promoted as a health resort for the wealthy, Atlantic City began to attract a wider crowd thanks to the completion of its famous boardwalk. In 1910, Atlantic City had 3 million summer visitors; in 1939 that number was up to 16 million.
The 1900s saw the rise of Atlantic City, New Jersey as a popular vacation destination. Once promoted as a health resort for the wealthy, Atlantic City began to attract a wider crowd thanks to the completion of its famous boardwalk. In 1910, Atlantic City had 3 million summer visitors; in 1939 that number was up to 16 million.
Edgar Reed on Atlantic City Boardwalk, 1910
The famous Elephant Hotel, which drew visitors from across the country, pictured here in 1910
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May, New Jersey
The Admiral Hotel was a luxury hotel located in Cape May, New Jersey. When opened on April 11, 1908, it was the world’s largest hotel. The hotel was part of a development project intended to bring wealthy visitors to the town and rival East Coast resorts.
The Admiral Hotel was a luxury hotel located in Cape May, New Jersey. When opened on April 11, 1908, it was the world’s largest hotel. The hotel was part of a development project intended to bring wealthy visitors to the town and rival East Coast resorts.
Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland
The Commander Hotel first opened on Memorial Day in 1930. The hotel featured the city's first elevator, in-room telephone service, and both ocean and boardwalk-facing front porch with rocking chairs. During the World War II era, the hotel welcomed doctors, lawyers, and executives. Each room was equipped with blackout curtains for use at night, which protected the windows from enemy shelling from offshore submarines.
The Commander Hotel first opened on Memorial Day in 1930. The hotel featured the city's first elevator, in-room telephone service, and both ocean and boardwalk-facing front porch with rocking chairs. During the World War II era, the hotel welcomed doctors, lawyers, and executives. Each room was equipped with blackout curtains for use at night, which protected the windows from enemy shelling from offshore submarines.
Mary Jane Reed on the boardwalk in front of the Commander Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland, ca. early 1930s.
Hot Springs, Virginia
Hot Springs, Virginia
The Omni Homestead Resort is a famous luxury resort that opened a decade before the American Revolutionary War. Located in the middle of the Allegheny Mountains, the area has the largest hot springs in Virginia. The resort has been designated a National Historic Landmark; it has a history lasting more than two and a half centuries.
The Omni Homestead Resort is a famous luxury resort that opened a decade before the American Revolutionary War. Located in the middle of the Allegheny Mountains, the area has the largest hot springs in Virginia. The resort has been designated a National Historic Landmark; it has a history lasting more than two and a half centuries.
White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia
White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia
Dubbed "America's Resort," the springs at Greenbrier were thought to have medicinal properties. A spring of sulphur water is at the center of the resort property. It is surrounded by the white-columned spring house, topped by a dome that has been the symbol of The Greenbrier for generations.
Dubbed "America's Resort," the springs at Greenbrier were thought to have medicinal properties. A spring of sulphur water is at the center of the resort property. It is surrounded by the white-columned spring house, topped by a dome that has been the symbol of The Greenbrier for generations.
The Reed family on the grounds of the resort.
The dome-topped spring house over the sulpher spring
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls, New York
In the early 20th century, a few scenic destinations became hot spots for tourism, most notably Niagara Falls. Visitors began their journey at the Observation Tower, where guests were given a souvenir rain poncho to wear before boarding the double-decker tour boat, christened The Maid of the Mist. From there, the boat ferried past the base of the American Falls, and onto the basin of Horseshoe Falls – the dramatic passage leading you through the waterfall's roiling whitewater and past massive rock formations.
In the early 20th century, a few scenic destinations became hot spots for tourism, most notably Niagara Falls. Visitors began their journey at the Observation Tower, where guests were given a souvenir rain poncho to wear before boarding the double-decker tour boat, christened The Maid of the Mist. From there, the boat ferried past the base of the American Falls, and onto the basin of Horseshoe Falls – the dramatic passage leading you through the waterfall's roiling whitewater and past massive rock formations.
Now forbidden territory for sightseers, these photographs of the ice mountains at Niagara Falls were taken in the mid-1930s.
Now forbidden territory for sightseers, these photographs of the ice mountains at Niagara Falls were taken in the mid-1930s.
Identities are unknown
Buffalo Zoo, New York
Buffalo Zoo, New York
Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo, located at 300 Parkside Avenue in Buffalo, New York, is the third-oldest zoo in the United States. Pictured here are the famous bear pits, c. 1920s. The zoo is one of the largest tourist attractions in Western New York, second only to Niagara Falls.
Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo, located at 300 Parkside Avenue in Buffalo, New York, is the third-oldest zoo in the United States. Pictured here are the famous bear pits, c. 1920s. The zoo is one of the largest tourist attractions in Western New York, second only to Niagara Falls.
Canada
Canada
Above: Mary Jane Reed sightseeing in Quebec
Top left: A horse-drawn taxi, Montreal
Bottom left: Mary Jane and Lewis Reed in Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Reed family embarked on many ambitious road trips by automobile. In the summer of 1938, Lewis and Ethelene Reed and their daughter Mary Jane, set out from Gaithersburg with Canada as their destination. They would also spend several weeks visiting in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and stop in the New England states en route home.
The Reed family embarked on many ambitious road trips by automobile. In the summer of 1938, Lewis and Ethelene Reed and their daughter Mary Jane, set out from Gaithersburg with Canada as their destination. They would also spend several weeks visiting in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and stop in the New England states en route home.
World's Fair: Flushing Meadows, New York
World's Fair: Flushing Meadows, New York
The World's Fair in 1939-1940 was held in Queens. It was the first exposition to be based on the future, with an opening slogan of “Dawn of a New Day," and it allowed all visitors to take a look at “the world of tomorrow. " Admission to the Fair was initially 75 cents, but was lowered to 50 cents on October 1, 1939, after the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
The World's Fair in 1939-1940 was held in Queens. It was the first exposition to be based on the future, with an opening slogan of “Dawn of a New Day," and it allowed all visitors to take a look at “the world of tomorrow. " Admission to the Fair was initially 75 cents, but was lowered to 50 cents on October 1, 1939, after the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
Sinclair Dinoland
Sinclair Dinoland
The Sinclair dinosaur statues were originally created for the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair. The Dinoland exhibit featured life-size replicas of nine different dinosaurs. The exhibit was designed to point out the correlation between the petroleum deposits believed to have been formed at the time of the dinosaurs, now transformed into modern-day gasoline for automobiles.
The Sinclair dinosaur statues were originally created for the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair. The Dinoland exhibit featured life-size replicas of nine different dinosaurs. The exhibit was designed to point out the correlation between the petroleum deposits believed to have been formed at the time of the dinosaurs, now transformed into modern-day gasoline for automobiles.
The dinosaurs took three years to build with a team of paleontologists, engineers and robotics experts who gave them life by integrating cutting-edge animatronics. Upon completion, the dinosaurs were shipped on a barge 125 miles down the Hudson River to the site of the Fair.
The dinosaurs took three years to build with a team of paleontologists, engineers and robotics experts who gave them life by integrating cutting-edge animatronics. Upon completion, the dinosaurs were shipped on a barge 125 miles down the Hudson River to the site of the Fair.
Four Victories at Peace: Statue, Trylon, and Perisphere
Four Victories at Peace: Statue, Trylon, and Perisphere
View from the ‘Court of Power’ at the 1939 World’s Fair shows John Gregory’s sculpture ‘Victories at Peace’ in the foreground and, in the distance, the Perisphere (the ball), and the Trylon (the spire), designed by Wallace K. Harrison and André Fouilhoux. Inside the Perisphere was a diorama of a futuristic utopian city named Democracity: an attempt by the fair's creators to help heal the memories of the Great War and Great Depression. After viewing, visitors would leave by descending a long spiral walkway named the Helicline.
View from the ‘Court of Power’ at the 1939 World’s Fair shows John Gregory’s sculpture ‘Victories at Peace’ in the foreground and, in the distance, the Perisphere (the ball), and the Trylon (the spire), designed by Wallace K. Harrison and André Fouilhoux. Inside the Perisphere was a diorama of a futuristic utopian city named Democracity: an attempt by the fair's creators to help heal the memories of the Great War and Great Depression. After viewing, visitors would leave by descending a long spiral walkway named the Helicline.
Belgian Village
Belgian Village
A medieval Belgian village constructed on the ground of the Fair was very popular. In addition to the recreations of traditional Belgian villas, fairgoers were treated to culinary treats, such as the "Bel-Gem Brussels Waffle"—a combination of waffle, strawberries and whipped cream, sold by a couple from Brussels.
A medieval Belgian village constructed on the ground of the Fair was very popular. In addition to the recreations of traditional Belgian villas, fairgoers were treated to culinary treats, such as the "Bel-Gem Brussels Waffle"—a combination of waffle, strawberries and whipped cream, sold by a couple from Brussels.
More views from the World's Fair
More views from the World's Fair
General Motors Pavilion
The Amusement Zone, which included a stereotypical imagining of an "Indian Trading Post." A tour bus is passing by in the foreground
Planetarium
Nash Tower with Chrysler Motors in Background
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