Name/Title
Photo Eleanor Clark and Emma Adell Clark, in the Clarks' Elmore car, 1911Entry/Object ID
1981.274.116Description
Acc. No. 81.274.116
Subject Category: Transportation
Date or period: 1911
Object: Photograph
Description: Sepia tinted snapshot.
Size: 3 3/4x4 3/4 inches.
History of Object: Photo of Eleanor Clark & mother Emma Adell Clark, behind the wheel of the family car, called an "Elmore". Following text quoted from Ms. Clark: View of the Clark family, in one of the early automobiles purchased by Herbert D. Clark in 1911. The car was an Elmore, shipped from the Atlantic Coast to San Francisco where it was picked up by Mr. Clark. The car had beautiful real leather black seats, a leather top which was raised in inclement weather. The extra tire was carried on the running board, secured by clamps. The tire was always protected by a leather cover. A tool box was secured to the left running board, usually carried pliers, a wrench, a tire pump, and extra spark plugs. The steering wheel was on the right side of the car. The driving area was always open to the elements; the area back of the front seat was protected by doors and a persons feet rested in what was called the "tonneau" of the car. A large hand brake looked like a "cable car grip" handle. The front lamps and side lamps had to be hand lighted at dusk with a match. The front lamps were fed from a small tank on the running board holding acetylene, sas,& the two small red lamps by the windshield E the tail light mounted in the rear used kerosene. Notice large bulb horn. Any lady motoring, had to wear veils over their hats to keep them on.
Acquired from:
Eleanor Clark
Date: 9/8/51
