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Publisher’s Corner

Traveling Back In Time journalofantiques.com

Publisher
Maxine Carter-Lome
t was a big country but prior to the 20th century, few Bicycle mechanics J. Frank and
knew from first-hand experience how big or what was Charles Duryea of Springfield, journalofantiques@gmail.com
Iout there. Traveling west and into the interior over Massachusetts, are credited with Maxine Carter-Lome Business Manager
land was a pioneer’s journey for those seeking designing the first successful American gasoline auto- Jeffrey Lome
jobs and the opportunity to start a new life, not a tourist mobile in 1893. By 1899, 30 American manufacturers jeffrey@journalofantiques.com
experience for idle travelers. The rural countryside were producing 2,500 motor vehicles, with some 485 Managing Editor
offered few comforts and conveniences outside of the city companies entering the business in the next decade. But Judy Gonyeau
limits, and most “roads” were barely passable and not it was Henry Ford, who introduced the Model T in editorial@journalofantiques.com
meant for long-haul forms of transportation such as 1908, and William Durant, who founded General
covered wagons. Travel could take weeks or months, Motors, who are largely credited and remembered as the Contributing Writer
depending on how far you were going, the weather, the pioneers of the American auto industry. Erica P. Lome, Ph.D.
condition of the roads to be followed, and a host of other The automobile was more than a technological Art Director
unforeseen circumstances. Early 19th century travel was novelty. Americans were quick to understand and Lynn Cotterman
an arduous and often dangerous challenge for all but the embrace the freedom and control that came with this ads@journalofantiques.com
most desperate and adventurous. Even bringing goods to form of personal transportation. Production
market and traveling to the big city or the closest town to In 1910, an Outlook magazine article declared there Jill Montague
pick up supplies was subject to risk. to be “about 350,000 autos now in use in this country.” Judy Gonyeau
Safe passage came with progress and the introduction This same article advocated traveling to the country in
of the railroad. In 1828, the first spadeful of earth was your auto to “not only show the country to the people, 508-347-1960
turned for the building of the Baltimore and Ohio but show the people to the country” with a desirable Toll free:
Railroad, the first railroad chartered for commercial result of increasing “neighborliness and diversion.” By 888-698-0734
transport in the United States. By 1835, dozens of local 1912, Outlook writers declared the “automobile has
railroad networks had been put into place. Each one of changed interior traveling from a physical racking bore Fax: 508-347-0911
these tracks went no more than a few miles, but the speed to a distinct frontier outing and a pleasure trip” and Mailing:
of progress was unstoppable. proclaimed “the automobile has verily brought a new P. O. Box 950
Not only did trains provide a faster and more efficient mental poise to some portions and parts of the unbroken Sturbridge, MA 01566

way for rural farmers to deliver trade goods to market, and almost untrodden interior.” In 1913, Outlook info@journalofantiques.com
and for manufacturing companies in the big city to sell published an article declaring that by the end of that year
and deliver their wares to customers scattered throughout over one million autos would be in use in America. UPS and FedEx
the rural countryside, they could also transport people Americans embraced the opportunity to seek adventure, Shipping Address:
more comfortably and safely than previous forms of over- witness the natural beauty of this country, strengthen 46 Hall Road
land travel. That proof of concept was tested, literally, on family bonds, and commune with fellow travelers on the Sturbridge, MA 01566

the battlefield. The Battle of Bull Run was won by a road. This new hunger for tourist travel, aside from the Journal of
group of reinforcements shuttled in on a railroad car. obvious and more practical aspects of automotive Antiques and Collectibles
After the Civil War, two things were clear: there was transport, threw the whole country into high gear. Roads is published monthly in digital
a need to unite our country through transcontinental rail were built and a national highway system was laid out. and bi-monthly in print by
service, and the public would help pay the freight. Along the way, a tourist trade emerged in the form of Weathervane Enterprises, Inc.
To make train travel more comfortable and accom- roadside attractions, motels, gas stations, and diners. 46 Hall Road
modating for human transport, passenger cars with long Tourist destinations sprung up where nature met the Sturbridge MA 01566.
aisles and rows of seating became standardized in road, and history became enshrined. Travel guides were
look and design in 1870, with compartment cars added put out by the Federal government to provide inspiration Periodicals postage paid at
in the coming decades designed for dining, sleeping and share what to see along the way. Travel postcards and Sturbridge MA.
accommodations, and observing the sites from open and locally-made trinkets and gift items became desired
enclosed platforms. Now, Americans could more easily souvenirs and something collectible … It is fair to say
and comfortably travel to visit with family in faraway that the automobile added more than just mobility to POSTMASTER:
places, traveling salesmen could expand their reach into 20th century America. Send address changes to
new territories, and those living in outlying areas In this issue, we drive back in time to explore The Journal of Antiques
could more easily visit the big city for a day of shopping, automotive tourist travel at its roots, and the collectibles and Collectibles
entertainment, and dining out. And, for the price of a and memories left behind.
ticket, one could just travel the rails to see the country. ISSN: (1539-5618)
Although infinitely more civilized and safer than P.O. Box 950
previous forms of passenger transportation, rail travel Sturbridge, MA 01566
had its drawbacks and limitations for tourist travelers in
The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
particular. Trains were scheduled, public, and limited to reserves the right to reject any advertising that
where service was available. Rail travel also involved does not comply with our standards. The
Journal will not be liable for any errors or
long stretches between stops, which offered few tourist omissions but will print a correction in the
comforts and little to see and do (although that would following issue if notification of such error is
sent by the appropriate deadline. Original
soon change with entrepreneurs like Fred Harvey). Still, Maxine Carter-Lome, Publisher
manuscripts are welcomed by qualified
train travel reigned supreme as the popular mode of writers. We assume no responsibility for loss
passenger transport, especially for the upper class, until of unsolicited material.
the beginning of the 20th century. Copyright 2021
Once again, technology and progress gave rise to an All rights reserved
alternative form of passenger travel – the automobile.

4 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles