Near Cascadia in Linn County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

America's First Transcontinental Automobile Race

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 26, 2017

1. America's First Transcontinental Automobile Race Marker

Inscription. Automobile history was made here June 20, 1905, when the first car to cross the Cascade Mountains conquered the Santiam Wagon Road. Dwight Huss drove "Old Scout," a 1904 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout, from New York to Portland in 44 days. "Old Scout" was the first car to travel North America from east to west, the first car on the Oregon Trail and the first car to enter Portland on its own power from out of state. Dwight's son, John, dedicated the restored Wagon Road to antique cars, horseback riders and hikers on July 7, 1995.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is June 20, 1905.

Location. 44° 24.215′ N, 122° 22.79′ W. Marker is near Cascadia, Oregon, in Linn County. Marker is on Santiam Highway (U.S. 20) near Gorton Road (Santiam Wagon Road) (Route 2032), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cascadia OR 97329, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this marker. Santiam Wagon Road (here, next to this marker).

More about this marker. Santiam Wagon Road is on the opposite side of South Santiam River from the marker.

Also see . . . Old Scout and Old Steady -- Just A Car Guy blogspot

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. Crossing the Cascade Range was the hardest part of a hard trip. The road over Santiam Pass ... had originally been a military road, 'paved with boulders.' Time and time again, they had to pile rocks to allow the cars' small wheels to negotiate giant rocks. Portions of the ascent were simply too steep for the heavily laden little cars. The blocks and tackles came out again.
The descent was terrifying. The brakes on the Runabouts were little better than the ones on covered wagons. Like the pioneers, trees were cut and dragged behind, to add braking power. (Submitted on February 3, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 26, 2017

2. America's First Transcontinental Automobile Race Marker

"Old Scout," the winning automobile image. Click for full size.

Detroit Public Library

3. "Old Scout," the winning automobile

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 373 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 3, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.