Wayback Snapshot: Cars in Battle Creek 115 Years Ago
The WBCK Morning Show Wayback Machine took us back to
May 15, 1906, where civic leaders took citizens around town in automobile rides as a fundraiser for Young Women’s Christian Association. Local citizens paid for a drive “through the principal streets of the city” followed by a lawn party. The Morning Enquirer reported it, right next to the article about Claude Austin, “Commedy Juggler”, playing performing at the Bijou Theater. (yes, comedy with two “m’s”)
Cars were still a novelty to most citizens of Battle Creek. In 1901 first auto was purchased, and the next year, in 1902, an ordinance was passed that each driver must purchase a license. By 1905 cars had to have lamps, brakes, and an alarm bell and had to stay off sidewalks.