The pages of this 1925 travel journal present a rare gift: The chance to see what the open road was like 85 years ago. This is the fifth in a series. The journal entries are presented here just as they were written, with no changes or corrections.
Followed the lakeshore into Ludington, Pentwater and Hart. Drove to Rose’s and pitched tents in their yard. Reached there at 4:30. Had potluck supper in the house and all went to Wills that evening.
Found them in bed but we soon routed them out. Henry got the boat key so early next morning he and Swartz went to Silver Lake fishing (Sat). Janette was sick so did not get up until 11 o’clock. Felt better so she, Rose, Lillie, Frank and I went over to see John and Mina at Crystal Valley.
Took some baked goods and ate potluck dinner with them. Spent 1½ hours there, then drove to Mears and spent about two hours with Aunt Jane and Uncle Orange. Janette had a sick spell while there.
That part of the country was overstocked with apples, pears and plums—no market for them, so were going to waste by the wagonload.
The boys caught a lot of perch, so we had fish for supper and breakfast. Left Rose’s at 15 to 9 Sunday morning and drove through New Erie, White Lake, Montague, Whitehall, Muskegon, Fairy Springs, Grand Haven, West Olive and stopped at Holland for dinner.
It being Sunday and also Janette’s birthday, we took chicken. She was lucky enough to get a wing, which is her choice, piece of white meat, too. Biscuits and gravy, potatoes, bread, butter, string beans, tapioca pudding and coffee $.35.
Got 5 gal of gas $1.03 and one gal oil. Next towns were Hamilton, Allegan, Otsego, Plainwell and then Kalamazoo. We reached Katties about 4 o’clock. After supper we all went to a good play. At Katties we put our camp beds up in the house and all enjoyed the change.
We left Kalamazoo Monday morning at 7:20. Came by way of Portage, Schoolcraft, where we bought 5 gal of gas $1.03. We detoured so went through Vicksburg, then back to Moorepark and Three Rivers where we stopped for supplies.
Arrived home at 10:30. Glad to see the place but sorry the trip was ended. Every minute of the time was enjoyed and every minute you would see something of interest.
Found among the journal pages was a receipt for a night’s stay at the Charlevoix Tourists’ Camping Grounds. On the back were these notations: “$39.75—Took North; $10.44—Came home with, Spent: $29.31. Left Sept 9th, and returned Sept 21. Traveled 1025.” My sincere thanks to Tom and Judy Oliphant of Schoolcraft for sharing Belle’s journal.
Click to view notes 12-14 (of 14), or view the entire set at our Flickr page. Be sure to click “All Sizes” for a closer view!
Previous: A 1925 travel adventure: The trip home
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Article Comments
Marian Herriman says:
What a trip! I’m sitting here in my U.P. home looking out over Lake Michigan on a beautiful day. I feel so fortunate to have lived my life in Michigan, it is a beautiful state. I have been to almost all the places these folks went to in 1925. It is a lovely story, thanks to all for sharing it.
April 1st, 2010 at 10:56 am ::
Bill says:
Marian,
Thanks so much for your comment. There has been a good deal of interest about this window to what traveling the open road was like in 1925. I am glad you enjoyed it. You might also be interested to know that Michigan History Magazine has asked me to turn the series into a feature article for them. It will be published sometime this fall.
Bill
April 1st, 2010 at 12:37 pm ::
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