First West Coast Trip by Automobile
A Journey of Challenges in 1912
This is a remarkable story of early automobile travel. In 1912, a group of travelers set out from California to Portland, Oregon. Along the way, they faced deep mud, fallen trees, and icy conditions. They forded rivers, camped under the open sky, and endured every challenge—all while dressed in hats and suits.
Today, we take paved roads for granted. Highways connect nearly every destination. Few people even remember a time before the interstate system, built in the 1950s. But in the early 20th century, travel was far from easy.
The Roads of 1912
In 1912, some major cities had started paving their streets. However, once you left urban areas, roads turned into dirt tracks, often shared with horses and wagons. At the time, few people owned automobiles, and even fewer dared to take them beyond city limits.
Cars were still unreliable. The Ford Model T had only been in production for three years and had yet to become widely popular among working-class Americans. The idea of a national highway system had not yet taken shape. Instead, most long-distance travelers relied on stagecoaches, ships, or trains. A trip from Los Angeles to Portland by wagon was rare.
The Elks Club Convention and an Ambitious Journey
In 1912, Portland hosted the Elks Club National Convention. It was a major event, drawing visitors from across the country. Most attendees arrived by conventional means. However, some chose to take more adventurous routes.
Four men walked from Brookfield, Missouri, covering more than 2,200 miles in just over three months. But another group decided to make history.
The First Car Trip from California to Portland?
At the same time, three men set out from an unknown city in California toward Portland in a 1912 Haynes touring car. Their names—Frank Morehead, Charlie McClower, and John Roger Wood—are preserved in photographs documenting their journey.
They claimed to be the first men to drive from California to Portland. While this has not been officially verified, they were certainly among the earliest. The photos capture a glimpse of what such a journey must have been like.
Preserving a Piece of History
I acquired these photos in an eBay auction. They came from a scrapbook found at an estate sale in Michigan. As a collector of antique photographs, I placed a bid and won. The images included a brief description but few details. I have found no further information online.
Although the full story remains a mystery, these photos offer a rare look at the challenges faced by early motorists. Their journey stands as a testament to the adventurous spirit of those who helped pioneer long-distance automobile travel.
I wanted to share them here—so that their adventure is not forgotten.
