J. Frank Duryea (on the left, with the
referee who rode with him)
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Cruise to the Rock
Thursday, November 23, 2017
To be driving our cars after most everyone else has stopped driving theirs is quite a thrill. Each Thanksgiving morning since 1995, a dedicated group of Chicagoland MG Club members have gathered in Jackson Park at the corner of South Cornell and eastbound Midway Plaisance to celebrate the anniversary of the Times Herald Race of 1895.
Few Chicagoans may be aware that the first automobile race to occur on this continent was held from this sit, just south of the Museum of Science and Industry, to Evanston and back. Worldwide, this race was second only to a race held in France in 1893. Various accounts state that between 60 and 80 entrants applied to enter, but the race was postponed twice because few were ready. When it was finally held Thanksgiving morning, following an overnight snowfall of 6 to 8 inches, only 6 vehicles were able to start the race. Two of them were Benz vehicles that had been imported from Germany, but the winning car was an American entry designed, built, and driven by J. Frank Duryea, who had grown up in rural Illinois. Although only Duryea and one of his competitors finished the race, many credit this event with proving that these vehicles were, in fact, a match for horse-drawn carriages.
As in past years, we plan on meeting at 9:00 am at the Rock. We will request a parking courtesy along eastbound Midway Plaisance. Be aware that Midway Plaisance is one way east bound at the Rock. Ground breaking for the Obama Presidential Library in the area of the Rock is not scheduled before next spring, but if there are any access problems there is parking further west along Midway Plaisance on the University of Chicago campus.
Afterwards, we will gather for brunch at Harvey’s Restaurant (formerly Stages) at 657 W 31st St.
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November 2018
