Springville in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
George Schuster Wins 1908 NY to Paris Automobile Race
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015
1. George Schuster Wins 1908 NY to Paris Automobile Race Marker
In 1908 George Schuster drove a Thomas Flyer to win the 169 day, 22,000 mile "Great Auto Race" from New York City to Paris France.
The 4 cylinder Thomas was manufactured by the E.R. Thomas Motor Car Co., Buffalo, NY.
Erected 2008 by White's Appliance, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 42° 30.644′ N, 78° 40.02′ W. Marker is in Springville, New York, in Erie County. It is at the intersection of North Buffalo Street (County Route 181) and Church Street, on the left when traveling north on North Buffalo Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 74 North Buffalo Street, Springville NY 14141, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, and in the Buffalo Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Our Honored Dead (within shouting distance of this marker); First Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Settler - Town of Concord (about 400 feet away); Goddard Memorial Hall, 1902 (about 400 feet away); Concord (about 500 feet away); 1992 The New York State Convention of Universalists
this page online
Also see . . .
1. George Schuster (driver) - Wikipedia. (Submitted on February 6, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. Thomas Motor Company - Wikipedia. (Submitted on February 6, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
3. The Buffalo History Museum Podcast. Excellent podcast episode describing this 1908 New York to Paris Automobile Race in detail (this is part 1). Quote from podcast web page: "In 1908, teams from four countries competed in the most trying automobile endurance race to date. In the end, it was Western New York's own George Schuster crossing the finish line first in a Buffalo-made E.R. Thomas." (Submitted on August 1, 2025, by Paige Miller of Getzville, New York.)
4. The Buffalo History Museum Podcast. Excellent podcast episode describing this New York to Paris automobile race in detail (this is part 2) (Submitted on August 1, 2025, by Paige Miller of Getzville, New York.)
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015
2. Northward
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015
3. Southward
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015
4. Marker Site
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015
5. George Schuster 1908 Automobile Race Mural
On the east side of the building at 20 East Main Street, Springville, NY.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 952 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 6, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.
