From The Archives: Early Automobiles in Saint Albans

The first automobile made in the United States was completed in 1893. It was created by Charles and Frank Duryea, two brothers from Massachusetts. In 1898 Dr. J.H. Lindsley putted around Burlington, VT in his new Stanley Steamer, which is believed to be the very first automobile ever driven in Vermont. In 1899, Charles Warren purchased the first automobile in Vermont a 1899 Haynes Apperson, and held VT Vehicle registrations #1 and #2.

Since the early 1900’s Saint Albans has had automobiles and automobile dealers.

Prior to World War I, automobiles in Vermont were novelties or objects of curiosity. They were few in number (in 1906, there were 373 registered vehicles). The prosperity of the 1920s and the mass production genius of Henry Ford brought automobiles into the mainstream of Vermont as it did all of America.

Our Research Library contains a vertical file drawer dedicated to information on Saint Albans historical automobile dealers, repair shops and pictures of outstanding, antique “classic” cars.

Photo’s: 1904/ 1905 one-cylinder Cadillac’s, and a Franklin, with riders: John Willson, Charles Schoff, Gene Warren and Norman Hall- Property of Saint Albans Museum Archives.