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May 8, 1905: New York City to Portland, Oregon Auto Race Commences

May 8, 2011 by Dave Leave a Comment

On the morning of May 8, 1905 a pair of Oldsmobile Curved Dashes left New York City on the first cross country road race – destination Portland, Oregon. The New York Times reported:

A transcontinental automobile run over a new route will start at 9 o’clock this morning from this city. Two light runabout cars of seven horse power each will attempt to cross the country to Portland, Oregon. They are due to arrive there by June 21, when the convention of the National Good Roads Association will open. This convention will continued through June 24. It is one of the special features arranged in connection with the Lewis and Clark Exposition, which will open June 1, and prominent automobilists from all parts of the country have been invited to attend and discuss questions pertaining to local and National good roads.

The winners, Dwight W. Huss and Milford Wigle, arrived in Portland on June 21:

The plucky drivers left New York 45 days ago, and were 44 days and six hours in making the arduous journey. Many ordeals have they passed through in the way of difficult mountain trails, sandy desert roads and swollen streams. The trip was finished, however, without serious mishap, and the end of the journey found both very much tanned and weatherbeaten, but in excellent health. They have the distinction of winning the first transcontinental automobile race, although the trip has been made by auto many times before. [Morning Oregonian, 22 June 1905]

Filed Under: History, Portland, This Day in History, Transit and Transport

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