Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mercer Auto Camp

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 2008

1. Mercer Auto Camp Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 1910 and 1911 the Mercer Automobile Company of Trenton, New Jersey made entries in the Great Savannah races. Washington Roebling II , the only company owner who drove in the races, and driver Hughie Hughes led teams in several light car and grand prix events. Hughes won the 222.82 mile 1911 Savannah Challenge Race, running at an average speed of 70 mph. The camp, built on this site along the race course, provided housing for team members; garage space; and storage space for spare parts, fuel and other necessities. It was destroyed by Hurricane David in 1979.

Erected 1995 by Georgia Historic Marker. (Marker Number 25-103.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 32° 0.421′ N, 81° 3.925′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. Marker is on LaRoche Avenue near Majestic Oaks Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31406, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Isle of Hope (approx. 1.1 miles away); Walter Bernard Hill Hall (approx. 1.2 miles away); Savannah State College (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sandfly (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Isle of Hope (approx. 1.8 miles away); Isle of Hope Methodist Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); Roger Lacy (Lacey) (approx. 2 miles away); Candler Hospital (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship,

Also see . . .
1. That marvelous Mercer motor car. Entered in six races in 1911, the Raceabout won five. Then, tragedy intervened. In the spring of 1912, Washington Roebling went to Europe to test-drive Italy's new Fiat. He chose to come home on the Titanic, and died along with 1,500 other souls. (Submitted on March 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. Type 35R Raceabout. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 2008

2. Mercer Auto Camp Marker

The area of the former Mercer Auto Camp image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 1, 2008

3. The area of the former Mercer Auto Camp

The Camp Locale image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 2008

4. The Camp Locale

1912 Mercer Racer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wikipedia

5. 1912 Mercer Racer

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,908 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.