Wolfeboro Historical Society Photograph Archive Transportation Autos, Bikes, and Oddities

The earliest mention of an automobile in Wolfeboro was in the Granite State News, October 21, 1897. The article began "Saturday a steam carriage passed through the streets of our village, the first ever seen on our streets." It is noted that the trip from Boston took nine hours. A year later, another article reported on a crowd gathered in South Wolfeboro; the attraction was a "horseless carriage". Thus began an new era of development in our history.

Bicycles were invented in the 1st quarter of the 1800's, with two connected wheels, propelled by rider's feet pushing along the ground. Pedals were added in the 1860's, then the large front wheel "penny farthing" bike developed to increase speed. This was a dangerous design impractical on country roads. Chain-driven bikes with similar size wheels started in the 1890's, as the auto was also being developed. This relegated bicycles to the category of toys and sporting equipment in country environments.

The Wolfeboro Historical Society welcomes the donation of local photographs from the early days, as well as any details that may be found in ancestors attics.

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