Vintage Vehicles and Circus Freaks

 

I always enjoy looking at old photos with cars, not because I'm a car guy because I'm about as far from that as one gets, but because it tickles something in my engineering brain, much like my small collection of vintage cameras on the bookcase downstairs. I like seeing all the mechanical aspects of it and the simplicity on how it works compared to modern versions of cars where you can't really see anything but the body panels. 

Clara Kuck spent one of her Easter holidays while in Great Falls, Montana going to such places as Bozeman, Helena, Missoula and a town called Anaconda in March of 1920 according to a newspaper article I have found. Butte is along one of the sides of the giant triangle those towns form in reference to her starting point of Great Falls so I have no doubt that this picture is likely taken during that particular trip. 

I wanted to identify that particular vehicle so turned to A.I. which promptly told me it was a 1911 or 1912 Packard or Peerless touring car. After googling various pictures of both of those cars, I couldn't find a match. So I tried again and the second time A.I. told me it was a Cadillac Model 30 or a Buick 17 or 31 between the years of 1910 to 1912. More image searching has convinced me it is likely a Cadillac Model 30 Tourer. Another reason to trust but verify whatever A.I. tells you these days. The straight fender above the rear wheel is one key feature along with the thin windshield supports and the acetylene tank and headlights which were upgrades at the time over the dirty carbon headlights.

Once again, Clara's trip seems to be an all woman affair and they seem to be having the time of their lives though I would expect riding in an open car in March in Montana wasn't very pleasant. I'm guessing the just put the top down during their time in town.

The next photo caught my eye just for the title under it, "Smiles and Feet." I also like the look that the lady 2nd from the left is giving to the ladies further down on the bench.  You will have to enlarge it likely to see it. I'm sure the whole thing was some sort of inside joke but they all thought it was funny.

I liked this photo just because it really emphasizes how times change. Imagine a going for a walk in the park on a cool early spring Sunday and coming across some ladies walking towards you. Likely your vision will include leggings, a puffy neon or pastel colored jacket and tennis shoes in a wide variety of colors. Not in a million years would I expect to see five ladies dressed like above. Check that, I guess not in 106 years. 

I can date the above photo and pinpoint it's location quite precisely. It was taken in front of the Great Falls High School on Friday, April 30, 1920. The only reason I know this is because of a newspaper clipping I found written the Monday prior, telling of a circus put on by the Sophomores of Great Falls High School with my 2nd great aunt Clara Kuck selected as "guardian of those who go to close to the animals", whatever that meant.