An historical marker in Hinsdale, NH mentions Hinsdale's Auto Pioneer: "In the Holman and Merriam Machine Shop, George A. Long of Northfield, MA in 1875 built a steam-propelled four wheel automobile with a fifth wheel for steering. This vehicle, fired by hardwood charcoal, had a bicycle-type frame, ordinary wooden wheels, solid rear axle, and could maintain 30 mph, roads permitting. This early pioneer patented and built another automobile propelled by gasoline, now in the Smithsonian Institute."

Transportation by automobiles were important to New Hampshire because cars could go further and were able to reach certain places more easily than the steamship or the train. The first roads that cars drove on were packed-down dirt. In the spring they turned to a muddy mess, so a more effective way of building roads was introduced. ( By the 1920s, roads were being paved, so cars could move faster and last longer.)

In 1803, New Hampshire constructed the Tenth New Hampshire Turnpike through Crawford Notch. The cost of the turnpike was $40,000 which was funded by lottery. The highway system through the mountains helped tourism grow. The wealthy people began to visit the area for the summer season.

---

The Snowmobile by Kelsey W. with special thanks to Mr. Mark Winkley

The history of the snowmobiles is quite interesting. Mr. Virgil White started working on the snowmobile in 1910. He had an eighth grade education and after school went into the woods to work as a logger. During the summer he drove tourists around the area, but business fell off during winter months. Mr. White and his mechanic came up with an idea to create a vehicle that could be used year round. They took the Ford Model T and put wooden runners on the front and tractor treads on the wheels. In 1913 Mr. White patented his "Snowmobile" invention.

The first snowmobiles were built in West Ossipee, NH and cost $750.00. A person could buy the attachment to put on the Model T Ford car for $400.00. War Tax was additional. The wooden runners were five feet long and eight inches wide. The traction belts were 8 inches wide.

The snowmobile was popular during the winter months for mail carriers, fire fighters, doctors and grocers, when the snow drifts were high, making travel difficult. The snowmobile could go between 12 and 18 miles an hour. Between 1924 and 1928, more than 3500 snowmobiles a year were made in an assembly line production.

Today's Snowmobiles. Because today's snowmobiles are more powerful, they can go from 50 to 200 mph. It is important to wear a helmet and warm clothes. They are making snowmobiles with seat belts for better safety.