After getting his commission from the AAA to map three transcontinental highways, "This he did, making three transcontinental trips in one year: The Northwest Trail from New York to Seattle, The Overland Trail from San Francisco to New York, and the Midland Trail from New York to Los Angeles.
Shortly thereafter, the Pathfinder people attached a plaque to a door of his vehicle noting the feat.
Circa 1919-20, Westgard wrote a book about his adventures which contained many fine photographs. he retained a chauffeur to do the driving while, with pen and notebook, he was able to record mileage, directions, sights, road conditions, etc., without distraction. Mrs. Westgard along with Pan, the family dog, would sometimes accompany him."
Even to drive across the US today is hard, but to do that in 1912, when roads often were no more than a road in name only is mind boggling. Plus, writing in a vehicle going over those bumpy roads had to have been a lot of fun as well.
Quite a Guy. --RoadDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
Showing posts with label American Automobile Association. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Automobile Association. Show all posts
Friday, February 10, 2012
Never Heard of Him, But A.L. Westgard an Early Auto Pathfinder-- Part 1
I came across this man's name in "The Tioga Pass Road on the Midland Trail" article by George Clark in the Summer 2011 Lincoln Highway Forum.
Here's what Clark wrote:
"A.L. Westgard was regarded as the fore-most auto-trail blazer of the time (1910-1920)--'the Daniel Boone of the auto age.' For many of his trips his conveyance was a Pathfinder touring sedan, a little-known, short-lived nameplate manufactured by the Motor Car Manufacturing Company of Indianapolis, Indiana.
He is said to have worn out eighteen Pathfinders during some seventeen years of his trail-blazing career.
In 1912, he was commissioned by the American Automobile Association of New York to route and map three transcontinental highways.
I had never heard of him before, but have since done some research which I will write about in the next week or so. Plus I will finish what George Clark had to say about the man.
How About a Real Pathfinder Doing His Thing in a Pathfinder? --RoadDog
Here's what Clark wrote:
"A.L. Westgard was regarded as the fore-most auto-trail blazer of the time (1910-1920)--'the Daniel Boone of the auto age.' For many of his trips his conveyance was a Pathfinder touring sedan, a little-known, short-lived nameplate manufactured by the Motor Car Manufacturing Company of Indianapolis, Indiana.
He is said to have worn out eighteen Pathfinders during some seventeen years of his trail-blazing career.
In 1912, he was commissioned by the American Automobile Association of New York to route and map three transcontinental highways.
I had never heard of him before, but have since done some research which I will write about in the next week or so. Plus I will finish what George Clark had to say about the man.
How About a Real Pathfinder Doing His Thing in a Pathfinder? --RoadDog
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