Name/Title
Auto RaceScope and Content
U.S. 151 Auto Race
045 AUTO RACE - GREEN BAY TO MADISON
1.6 mi. north of Waupon
In 1875 the Wisconsin Legislature offered a prize of $10,000 to the citizen of this state who could produce a machine "which shall be a cheap and practical substitute for the use of horses and other animals on the highway and farm." Such machine was to perform a journey of at least 200 miles, "Propelled by its own internal power, at-the average rate of at least five miles per hour, working time." By July, 1878, two steampowered vehicles were ready to run the prescribed course form Green Bay to Madison. This highway was on the route of the "race" which was interrupted along the way to demonstrate the comparative pulling capacity of the machines. The entry sponsored by an Oshkosh group completed the trip in about 33 hours, but the other broke down and returned to Green Bay.
2 copies of a page taken from unknown "spiral" bound book or document, found in work room file cabinet.
* The spelling "Waupon" is an inaccurate spelling but original to the text.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0065Source or Donor
Waupun Historical SocietyAcquisition Method
Collected by Staff