Early Automobiles and Trials Through 1850s
The article traces early self moving car history from 1770 when Cugnot built the first powered vehicle to 1850 Parliament limits on speed. It notes wind and sail powered designs, Watt’s doubts, public fear, and the rise of gas engines from Daimler and Benz. It mentions Model T origins and early high costs and accidents involving electric cars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Oliver Evans
Maryland
Europe
England
Watt
Gottlieb Daimler
Benz
Dargeon
Henry Ford
Maxwell
Franklin and
Olds
Ford
Kansas City
Travel in Iowa Stagecoaches Before Railroads
A review of the Annals of Iowa article by Kenneth E. Colton highlights the romantic yet harsh era of stagecoach travel across Iowa. Heat mud rains and cold made trips lengthy and uncomfortable while accidents and early schedules added risk and strict departure times.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Annals of Iowa
State Department of History
Des Moines
Kenneth E. Colton
Iowa
The Automobile's Rise From Steam to Modern Power
A reprint from the Fremont Gazette narrates how self starters eliminated hand cranks by 1920, notes stronger engines and better roads, and highlights the car’s ascent as a cornerstone of modern life since the 1770 Cugnot steam car, marking a long historical arc.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fremont Gazette
RIDERS FOUND NO COMFORT IN STAGECOACHES
The piece contrasts modern speed with stagecoach travel in northwestern Iowa noting the old fare of ten cents a mile and a fence rail, the slow five to ten mile an hour pace, and the brutal jolting that required a tough back. It recalls early highway mud and how fence rails helped riders cope.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Iowa Stage Travel in the Romantic Era
The Knoxville Express describes early Iowa stage travel from 1837 to the 1870s, detailing speeds of five to six miles per hour and fares of five to ten cents per mile. It notes the Concord four horse coach as the standard of elegance and the two horse hack as common, with baggage limits of about sixty five pounds per person.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Towa
Iowa
Knoxville
Des’ Moines
Four Mile Creek
Oskalooss
Dubuque
Waybill
Oskaloosa
Des Moines
Iowa City
Knoxville Express
Also Mentioned on This Page
Nicholas Cugnot
Huro Upon
Cugnot
Anc
Pella
Wal Fowler
Walter Johnson
Pries
Ing
Citizen’s National Bank
Prairie City
Th 'Bahn
Herman Teddy Bauly de Bruyn
Goph
van Arka
Ira van Cleave
Adam Finsvelman
Ullenberg
Martin de Wit
Hen Bloem
George Bishop
Bert
W.a.)van Vark
Id Pella
Are
Frigidaire Electric Appliances
Gulbransen Pianos
Zenith Radios
Petras Tulip
Ulrich
Ene
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!