'The James' Mobile Museum Features Historical Transportation Exhibit

UNION – Those attending the McHenry County Historical Society’s Cider Fest on Sunday will get an opportunity to view the latest exhibit on "The James" mobile museum.

“You Auto Be in McHenry County” recounts the transportation revolution and auto camp tourism which flourished between 1905 and 1930. Click here for details about Cider Fest. 

Featured objects include early auto parts, county and state maps, 1920s clothing and camping gear and postcard photos of auto clubs and hill-climb races. At the turn of the century there were precious few places along the open road where travelers could rent a room after a day's drive.

Hotels tended instead to be located near railroad depots. Unwilling to travel all the way into town or leave their automobiles in stables, an increasing number motorists began to bring gear along and camp along the roadside.

It didn’t take landowners and civic leaders long to cash in on the craze. They began establishing campsites, restaurants and stores.

Highlights include:

• At the turn of the century, out of 2.1 million miles of roads in the U.S., only 151,644 were improved with oil, shell, or gravel. This meant there were almost 2 million miles of plain dirt roads. 

• It was not until 1906 that automobiles began appearing in significant numbers in McHenry County. Autos were selling for prices ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. The first automobiles were owned by professionals and businessmen.

 • By 1910 there were newer, cheaper, and used autos for sale. Within 10 years there would be 1,706 automobiles registered in McHenry County. 

• There were several automobile clubs in McHenry County. These clubs would motor to Lake Geneva and Delavan, Wis., as well as other scenic spots during the summer months. 

• By 1921, an estimated 9 million Americans planned to go motor camping during the summer months. The first automobile tourists traveled with all the comforts of home. They frequently traveled with gasoline stoves, Dutch ovens, wash tubs, big tents, folding beds, collapsible camp furniture, food, clothing and sporting gear. 

• In McHenry County, auto camps were established to lure the motoring public to places like Richmond, Crystal lake, Spring Grove, Woodstock, McHenry and Marengo to spend money in these towns.

The auto camps had great appeal to the traveling public. They offered clean privies, showers, and rain shelters. 

In 2002 the McHenry County Historical Society adapted a 1983 ThomasBuilt school bus into a mobile local history museum. “The James,” named after McHenry business man Jim Tonyan who funded the bus purchase, has been used to bring exhibits of local interest to the public at libraries, community events and schools. 

Most of the 15 or so scheduled events are held on either Saturdays or Sundays during the warmer months. For information or to book The James, call 815-923-2267.

Tax-deductible donations to offset fuel, maintenance and volunteer time are appreciated.


Source: McHenry County Historical Society