Bits of History : The early days of cars in Rogers
Posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008
A new vehicle often causes excitement, but never so much so as at the turn of the 20 th century, when cars were still a novelty to some and an innovation to others.
The photograph illustrates some of the first automobiles in the city of Rogers. The proud owners of these vehicles, believed to have been purchased from Tom McNeil's Buick agency, posed for the photograph in approximately 1910 on South First Street. Note that the streets in Rogers were not yet paved at the time of this photograph.
Even before this image was captured, the spectacle of automobiles was worthy of news. A car first appeared in Rogers in 1898 as a marketing event staged by Montgomery Ward; a crowd gathered to witness the event. It was an electric car delivered on the Frisco rail line. Consumers had yet to make the commitment to gasoline engines over electric or steam power plants and the road network was not quite suitable for automobile traffic. According to a Rogers Democrat article, several dignitaries, including Mayor Adamson, Professor Scroggs of the Rogers Academy and E. M. Funk of the Rogers Democrat, toured around town in the vehicle to the delight of onlookers. A newspaper advertisement soon followed from Montgomery Ward highlighting the occasion and encouraging people to shop with their catalog.
In commemorating the history of Rogers in 1950, the Rogers Daily News reported that by 1903 the Arkansas Gazette had published a list of the 50 horseless carriages owned in the state, but none were yet cited in Rogers. Many, however, believed that W. H. Mc-Mullin owned the first local car at about this time. He apparently built it himself in September 1903 by mechanizing a buggy, just missing the Arkansas Gazette survey. Unfortunately, the car was lost in a shed fire.
As production vehicles entered the scene, adventure seems to have been readily available for new motorists. An examination of 1908-09 news clippings reveals Charles Miller's name associated with automotive excitement on two specific occasions, illustrating fairly common experiences as people grew accustomed to cars and the new dangers of driving. In December 1908, the Rogers Democrat reported that Miller took T. J. Keller and John Ford for a rather fast drive down Walnut Street. However, he was unable to negotiate the corner at Ninth Street and crashed in the ditch, causing his passengers to be thrown from the car. Keller received a broken rib, but, while unharmed, Ford was to have said that "horses are plenty good enough for him in the future."
By May 1909, the Rogers Democrat reported another mishap involving Miller. While driving through town, he was unable to avoid colliding with a freight car at the Poplar Street railroad crossing. The passengers fortunately escaped serious injury by jumping clear of the car after the collision. His wife was reported to have leaped from the wreckage on impact and clung to the ladder on the side of the freight car until the auto was shoved off the tracks by the train. As with the McMullin vehicle, this car too met an untimely end.
Animals also often had dramatic introductions to automobiles. The 1908 Rogers Democrat story of Dr. A. C. Smith illustrates quite well the culture shock between drivers, farmers and equine victims. According to the story, Dr. Smith and his wife set out from Springdale in his new 40-horsepower Buick to visit friends in Rogers. While the car was touted as being able to reach 40 miles per hour or more, it was not able to avoid causing much consternation to a team of mules. Upon meeting the car, the mules'driver became frightened and abandoned the rig, leaving the mules to fend for themselves. The mules bolted and Dr. Smith was obliged to pursue them in his new 40-horsepower Buick. No serious damage or
This type of uproar was not uncommon as people and animals alike gradually became accustomed to the sight of automobiles as they chugged, smoked and rattled their way into our lives. The appearance of automobiles must have been quite amazing to people accustomed to the pace of horses and the never-wavering path of trains. Newspapers often reported such encounters and accidents as well as the trips and driving habits of the early automobile owners. It is not uncommon to find accounts which described the vehicle, route taken, driver, passengers and destination plans as well as any spectacular events encountered along the way.
Cars and car service soon became big business in the community. Tom McNeil began selling Buicks through his pharmacy by 1909, and became recognized as one of the first car dealers in the area. Also in 1909 Ray Smith's automotive repair garage opened, but closed the following year. One has to wonder if it may have been slightly ahead of its time. Other garages opened a short time later and remained in business for many years. The Ozark Garage on South First Street was one such garage. More dealerships and manufacturer nameplates also came and went during these years, such as McMichael Ford and the Keith Motor Company
Automobiles excited people for good reason. For the consumer, early automobile advertisements simply listed features and prices, but soon shifted to emotional pleas promising the "good life"through car ownership. By 1922, 2, 500 people attended the grand opening of McNeil's new dealership building on South Second Street.
More automobiles continued to be purchased and by 1924 there were 3, 021 cars in Benton County and Rogers began the process of paving its streets with brick in order to create good driving surfaces. Increased ownership and use eventually led to licensing and regulations during this time period. Benton County established an auto tax, which typically ranged from $ 10 to $ 20 depending on the type of vehicle, and many communities began instituting speed limits in response to the public's concern about accidents and a desire to maintain order.
These events point to changes that occurred in the community by the end of the first decades of the 20 th century and that still affect our lives today. The emergence of automobiles heralded new possibilities in life and changed the way communities functioned. New businesses emerged to support driving and the road network underwent unheard of improvements as people were able to look beyond town centers for their homes, goods and livelihoods.
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