In partnership with the Maine Memory Network Maine Memory Network

Maine History Online

Maine History Online

A Maine Historical Society Website

Header Graphic

Auto Racing in Maine: 1911

Motor Coachmen and their Stanley Cars, Poland Spring, 1911

Motor Coachmen and their Stanley Cars, Poland Spring, 1911

Item 35452 info
Stanley Museum

Three motor coachmen in identical road gear stand with their cars in front of the garage at the Poland Spring Resort in 1911.

The cars are nine-passenger Stanley Mountain Wagons, powered by 30 hp steam engines, the forerunners of modern-day passenger buses.

The Ricker family of Poland Springs owned three of these large vehicles to take guests and their luggage up the long climb from the railroad depot 6 1/2 miles away to the Poland Spring Hotels.

Operating early motor cars over Maine roads for paying customers was a challenging job, and these early chauffeurs shared a special camaraderie.