1907 Glidden Tour Auto Race Through Baltimore

Here are a few great photos showing early automobiles on the streets of Baltimore. These photos document the Glidden Trophy tour of 1907. This was a competition between a number of automobile organizations from different cities to demonstrate the ability of their machines to drive from Cleveland to New York City, a distance of 1,519 miles over gravel, clay, brick, and asphalt roads.

The tour started in Cleveland, went to Toledo, then South Bend, on to Chicago, and back to South Bend, Indianapolis, Columbus, Canton, Pittsburgh, Bedford, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, before reaching New York City.

View of cars lined up in street at Baltimore, Maryland during the 1907 Glidden Tour. Stamped on back: “Photo by N. Lazarnick, 29 West 42nd Street, New York.” Handwritten on back: “Cars lined up at Baltimore. Tours–Glidden Tour, 1907.”

Source: Detroit Public Library

View of motorists in 1907 Peerless car in front of Washington Monument in Baltimore, Maryland. Label on front: “Lazarnick. F4048. Peerless car in front of Washington Monument, Balto., Md. June 19.” Stamped on back: “Photo by N. Lazarnick, 29 West 42nd Street, New York.” Handwritten on back: “Peerless, 1907. Peerless car in front of Washington Monument, Baltimore. Wednesday, June 19.”

Source: Detroit Public Library

View of motorists in cars parked in front of inn at Baltimore, Maryland during the 1907 Glidden Tour. Maxwell car on left. Stamped on back: “Photo by N. Lazarnick, 29 West 42nd Street, New York.” Handwritten on back: “Tours–Glidden Tour, 1907.”

Source: Detroit Public Library

View of Dai Lewis and motorists with cars at Baltimore, Maryland during the 1907 Glidden Tour. Spectators in background. Stamped on back: “Photo by N. Lazarnick, 29 West 42nd Street, New York.” Handwritten on back: “Baltimore. Tours–Glidden Tour, 1907.”

Source: Detroit Public Library