This Day In U.S. History: On May 23, 1903, Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson began the first U.S. Cross-Country Road Trip. Allegedly, Jackson made a bet that the trip from San Francisco to New York would take less than 90 days. Amazingly, it only took 63. Of course, not all was smooth sailing.
Preparing to go Cross-Country
First, Jackson chose a car. The winner was a cherry red 1903 Winton Company touring car. Fittingly, Jackson named the car Vermont, which is from where both Jackson and his wife, Bertha Wells, hailed. The gas tank held around 11 gallons of fuel, and had no windshield or top. Therefore, according to the brochure, it was expected to travel around 175 miles per tank.
Next, Nelson chose Mr. Sewall Crocker as a mechanic and co-driver for the journey. The two men removed the back seat of the car to hold supplies for the trip. Items such as mechanic’s tools, fishing gear, guns and ammunition, and sleeping bags were must-haves. Furthermore, the men took a small Kodak camera to record the trip. Unfortunately, a lot of their gear bounced out the back of the vehicle as they drove.
The Road Trip
The journey took the men from San Francisco, up through Oregon. They decided following the railroad may lead to less issues and more supplies. In Caldwell, Idaho, a man offered Jackson and Crocker, Bud the bulldog as a mascot for the trip. They even fit the dog with his own driving goggles.
Crossing the Rocky Mountains proved difficult but not insurmountable. Eventually, on July 21, the trio left Cleveland, Ohio for the last leg of the trip. At 4:30 a.m. on July 26, they crossed the Harlem River into Manhattan. Finally, they arrived at the Holland House Hotel.
Dr. Jackson estimated the first U.S. Cross-Country road trip cost around $8,000 in total.
In 2003, PBS’ Ken Burns directed a two-part film about the trip: Horatio’s Drive. PBS Learning Media has a gallery of the car and trip itself.
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Sources: Behind Every Day
Image: Fact Republic
