HIST ORY
By the time Henry Ford drove his first
$825 Model T off the assembly line in
1908, more than 500 American manufacturers were producing automobiles.
The American public has been car shopping ever since.
At the turn of the 20 th century, less
than 10,000 autos were cruising down
the nation’s roads. That number
catapulted to more than 9 million by
1920. Businessmen and auto enthusiasts
in Frederick weren’t slow to the party;
by the time the Great Depression hit—
pulling the emergency brake on auto
sales—the city had 15 auto dealers
and suppliers, about a dozen service
stations, eight garages and a handful of
auto parts stores. One of the largest, the
Ideal Garage Company, opened on East
Patrick Street in downtown Frederick in
1911. Although the business changed its
name to Ideal Buick and moved out of
downtown in the 1980s, its iconic early
building still stands.
Of course, modern modes of transportation meant a need for better roads to
carry them. Dirt and macadam roads
throughout Frederick County grew wid-
er, and gradually maintaining and improving public roads went from a largely
local or private concern to a balancing
act of local, state and federal responsibility. The ref lection of national interest reached its crescendo in the Dwight
D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and
Defense Highways, began in 1956.
Since the early 20 th century, few things
have created excitement and encouraged
independence like wind in your hair on
the open road. By the 1920s, Frederick
Countians were packing their rumble
seats and heading off in every direction.
Just as they were driving out, others were
driving in to fuel the tourism industry
that Frederick County enjoys today.
The area attracted visitors to its many
parks, natural areas and historic sites.
It was during this period of increased
leisure travel that both the Roger Brooke
Taney House and Barbara Fritchie
House opened to the public, showcasing
Frederick’s historical celebrities. The
hospitality industry exploded, offering
everything from downtown luxury at
the Francis Scott Key Hotel, to simple
convenience at the Billy Boots Motel.
Even presidents were caught up in the
road trip phenomenon. Harry Truman
made a celebrated stop for some gas and
a Coke at Carroll Kehne’s service station
in Downtown Frederick in 1953. He and
his First Lady, Bess, were on a 19-day
road trip between Washington, D.C.,
and their family home in Independence,
Mo. (the Secret Service trailing behind
in another car). The frugal Trumans ate
many of their meals at roadside farm
stands and overnighted in roadside
motels. (The glass proof of “Give ‘em
Hell” Harry’s liquid refreshment and
photos taken at Kehne’s station are on
display at the Museum of Frederick
County History.)
Still today, as weather warms and
thoughts turn to summer break and
destinations both exotic and mundane,
many of us long to roll down the car
windows, crank up a cruisin’ tune, and
hit the open road—for the country, for
the beach, for anywhere!
LEARN HOW
FREDERICK RESIDENTS
LIVED THROUGH THE YEARS
visit
MUSEUM OF FREDERICK
COUNTY HISTORY
24 E. CHURCH STREET
FREDERICK
Photos courtesy Historical Society of Frederick County
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SUMMER 2015 | FREDERICK COUNTY GUIDE
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