Progression of Cars in Indiana
Indiana has a strong history of automobiles that has been continuing for years and years to come.
Trenton Gas Field - “Trenton Gas Field.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Aug. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trenton_Gas_Field.
Gas and Oil in Indiana
The Trenton Gas Field was a vital key in order for the Indiana gas boom to occur, which was where thousands of gas/oil wells were created. In Indiana the Trenton gas field was the largest gas field that was known at the time. This field pushed industrial innovation using gas. Unfortunately since this field was the largest gas field that was known at the time, lots of people were there extracting tons of gas from the field. Another reason that the field was starting to run low on gas was because of flambeaus, which are pipes that are connected to pumps that were constantly burning a flame. Due to all of the extracting and wasting of the gas/oil the field began to have lower pressure which disallowed anymore pumping. But fortunately for us we had a huge gain in fuel which led to lower gas prices. Before all of the gas/oil were found cars were mainly for the wealthy, but after this breakthrough occurred it also allowed the groups of lower income to achieve cars as well.
Oil and gas wells in Indiana - DNR 2017
As you zoom into this map it shows the oil and gas wells in Indiana (as well as a legend in the bottom left corner). This map is used to show what the Indiana gas boom started a while back and the impact that it has even to today. The Indiana gas boom played a huge part in the invention of the automobile. This is because the cars back then were very similar to the cars we have today, and as you probably already know cars need gas to move. During the gas boom Elwood Haynes was experimenting with gas and metals, and more specifically safe gas.
Elwood Haynes - Elwood Haynes, www.365daysofmotoring.com/imagearticles/Elwood Haynes.
Elwood Haynes was an inventor in Kokomo Indiana. He made the first gas powered commercial automobile. This automobile was named the Pioneer. Elwood drove his newly made car down what is currently Boulevard street in Kokomo on July 4, 1894. He drove his car at about 6 or 7 miles an hour. Cars back in time were mainly rode by the wealthy, this is because these cars were very efficient on fuel and fairly hard to produce.
South Bend Indiana - Jacquelyn Davenport 2020
Studebaker Company
South Bend IN, was home to the Studebaker corporation which originally made wagons, but later produces automobiles in 1902. Studebaker was founded in 1852 but then became there corporation in 1868. Studebaker was known for there higher quality automobiles which put them higher up in the business. Unfortunatly the South Bend plant stopped making there cars in 1963.
Auburn Indiana - Jacquelyn Davenport 2020
Eckhart Carriage Company
The Eckhart Carriage Company was founded in Auburn Indiana in 1874 on East 7th street. There company was founded by Charles Eckhart, and slowly started to outgrow there small parlor and soon enough they were making new additions to their 5 acre lot.
Eckhart Carriage Company - “Throwback Thursday: The Eckhart Carriage Company in the John Martin Smith Collection.” Charlie Chat, 13 Nov. 2014, eplcharliechat.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/throwback-thursday-the-eckhart-carriage-company-in-the-john-martin-smith-collection/..
The Eckhart Carriage Company was what started all of the cars in Auburn Indiana. Charles later in 1896 gave his sons control of his business. Then on it continued to grow even bigger and better. The Eckhart Carriage Company was the start basis for the Auburn Automobile Company.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Jacquelyn Davenport 2020
Indy 500
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway all started on June 5, 1909 when it officially opened. The very first race was held in 1911. Currently the Indy 500 is the largest single-day sporting event in the world. Lots of the cars raced were made by the Duesenberg car company. The Indy 500 had a huge boost due to the Indiana gas boom and the breakthrough that produced fuel. The Indy 500 led to people wanted cars that they saw in action on the racing course, this led to the creation of many new car compianies.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum - Jacquelyn Davenport 2020
Auburn Cord Duesenberg was three companies with multiple different car models made by them. This was a huge company in Auburn at the time.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg - Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. “Auburn Auto History.” Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, 29 May 2019, automobilemuseum.org/about/auburn-auto-history.
After a while the Cord company started to feel very unstoppable, and they ended up selling most of the company's stocks. This then led to the company shutting down that following spring.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival - Klein, Nick. “Photo Gallery.” Photo Gallery - Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Festival, www.acdfestival.org/contact/photo-gallery.
Currently in Auburn Indiana there is a festival to celebrate all of the wonderfully made cars. People who thoroughly enjoy cars bring their classic cars to this festival for other people to walk through and see them.
If you are interested in attending the very popular ACD festival to honor Indiana's backstory with cars here is the link to find more information.
