Duryea Automobiles

After making many revisions to the initial design, Frank finally tested the car on Springfield's streets in September of 1893. After two years of fine-tuning and retooling, Frank had created a car that was reliable enough to entice investors.

In 1895, J. Frank Duryea won the first American Automobile Race in Chicago. That same year, the brothers mustered up enough financial support to organize the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, the first American corporation founded specifically for the mass production of automobiles. Their 1896 production of thirteen Duryea Motor Wagons marked the beginning of the American automobile industry. Despite well-publicized appearances of the Duryea car in automobile races and contests, early sales were sporadic.

In 1898, Frank and Charles sold their interest in the company, and soon afterwards, the Duryea Motor Wagon Company was sold to the National Motor Carriage Company. In 1901, Frank contracted with J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company in Chicopee for the manufacture of automobiles. In 1904, the Stevens-Duryea Company was formed, manufacturing the Stevens-Duryea automobile in factories in Chicopee and East Springfield. By the time the company had closed in 1915, Stevens-Duryea had produced around 14,000 automobiles. In 1919, the company was reestablished without either of the Duryea brothers, but by 1925, it had ceased operations.

After Peoria, 1900-1938

February 1900, Charles went to, Reading PA. There, he continued to build three cylinder automobiles. Monroe Seiberling, under the name, Consolidated Motor Vehicle Co., continued a struggling effort to build automobiles in, Peoria Heights. In 1901, Seiberling sold out. Peoria papers report shipment of only two automobles by Consolidated Motor Vehicle Co., but more could have been produced.

After Reading, 1911-1913, Charles built automobiles in, Saginaw, MI.

1914, Charles moved to Philadelphia PA. From there, he continued his quest to build automobiles. Manufacturing occurred in both Philadelphia and Wilmington, DE. Three known vehicles from this period, named the Gem, and generically called cycle-cars, survive. One of those three, restored and running, is now at the Wheels 'O Time Museum, Peoria IL. It was a gift to the people of, Central Illinois, from L. Scott Bailey.

Charles Duryea died in Philadelphia, PA., September 28, 1938.

Whoa and Woe to the Inventor

In 1898, Charles' neighbors did not appreciate him using the street in front of their homes, On Peoria's Barker Ave., as a test track, along with the accompanying noise and smell. The citizens complained to the city. Officials called on Charles. He placated them with news he would be moving his work to Seiberling's Prospect Heights plant. That gained Charles almost a year.

In 1899, neighbors again made their feelings known. The City Council turned the matter over to the proper authority. By this time, perhaps Charles knew his time is Peoria was limited. Its not known how much activity may have taken place at the Barker Ave. location. Charles mused to a reporter, wondering if the neighbors realized how strong the odors were from the piles of their horses' by product was, in the hot Summer sun.

The Barn/laboratory

The "prototypes'" numbering three, came to life in the unsophisticated structure. The wooden laboratory provided space for his draftsman, as well. A Duryea engined launch was put to use, though its not known where it was built, or who actually owned it. Charles also had plans to build a gasoline engine powered pacer, for bicycle racing, a sport popular in Peoria and the Nation. It would take two men to operate, it. There is no known evidence to indicate its fruition in Peoria. What else may have been on the drawing board?

The barn was razed in the Fall of 1934.

A Farmer's relic

March 1995, this author received a phone call from an auctioneer, representing the estate of a farmer, located a few miles from Peoria. He explained what was thought to be a Duryea three cylinder engine, mounted on a wood base, and used as a portable power unit. A few days later, the son of the deceased farmer appeared, with an engine in the back of his pickup. Sure enough, it was a three cylinder Duryea engine. The son stated it was pulled out of a Duryea, about 1930. He had no memory of what happened to the chassis.

Mis-information

The research began in late 1990, to prove or disprove the Peoria provenance of the Duryea being purchased from Scott Bailey and now exhibited at the Peoria Public Library. Scott Bailey said; .."more time will be spent proving what is wrong than what is right." He knows of what he speaks.

In the 1920s, Charles Duryea produced what was reportedly a copy of his graduation thesis from Gittings Institute, La Harpe, IL, titled, "Rapid Transit." He said it was printed in the town's newpaper. The Illinois State Library has microfilm for most of the newspapers printed in Illinois. The La Harper is no exception. The thesis title the La Harper printed is," Bicycles." None of the graduating class' thesis were printed in the paper.

Genealogy

Among the most asked Duryea questions, are ones relating to genealogy. The following traces the
family name and the paternal ancestral line of Charles E. Duryea, beginning with Joost Durie. Joost
arrived on our shore, about 1675. He was the son of Simon Durie. Joost came from Mannheim, Germany,
where the family had gone from the Bergundy area of France. He married Magdelein LeFevre,
February 28, 1672, in Mannheim. He settled near, Bushwick, Long Island.

Joost Durie and wife Magdelein

Charles Durie and wife Cornelia

Charles Duryea and wife Antje

John Duryea and wife Margaret

Wesley Duryea and wife Elizabeth

George Washington Duryea

Charles Edgar Duryea and wife Rachel
Charles born December 15, 1861, died September 28, 1938

	Shown at left is probably the first of three Duryea Peoria prototypes. According to Charles it is the only one he fit for a trailer. It was shipped to California, with one of the Peoria Heights built Duryeas. The trailer concept, referred to as a four or six passenger, was doomed from the beginning. Dust and fumes made it impractical. Was this an ancestor of the first Airstream? *Print: Elmer M. King*
	At left is the Duryea delivery, "his third Peoria job," as described by Charles Duryea. But, he also described it as "the second of this design." In a letter to a newspaper, he also refers to it as the second Duryea Peoria vehicle. This photo matches a photo cut shown in The Horseless Age, June 5, 1899. The Duryea is unfinished, as it lacks a crank hole on the side. The engine mounts under the seat, with the crank running parallel to the rear, exposed axle. This photo was taken probably no later than June 1, 1899, but after a May 15, 1899, Duryea Mfg. Co,. catalog was printed. It is one of the three built behind the Duryea home. *Photo: Peoria Public Library*
	This is the same photo as above, with the exception of the lettering, and the absence of a crack running 20 degrees from horizontal, across the lower half of the plate. The house in the background appears in several other photos of Duryea vehicles. The Duryea exhibited at the Peoria Public Library, began life as this delivery, sans lettering. *Photo: Peoria Public Library*
	Is this the same delivery as shown above? Though no printed evidence is known, it does match the general dimensions. The photo could have been taken in several locations. Peoria, Peoria Heights, Reading, Glenside, Providence, etc. *Photo: L. Scott Bailey*
	The photo at the left was probably taken in the New York Museum of Science & Industry, c.1930. A photo of Charles Duryea seated in the Duryea, at the same location, exists. The newly opened Museum was located in the NY Daily News building. Later, it moved to 30 Rockefeller Plaza, where it remained until closing its doors in late 1949. Legendary collector, Henry Austin Clark, Jr., purchased the Duryea from the defunct Museum. *Photo L. Scott Bailey*
	At the left, is a photo of the Duryea, before restoration commenced. Stanley Wilkinson, of Feasterville, PA, a professional restorer, performed the monumental task. During restoration, the Duryea, now in a Trap configuration, was owned by L. Scott Bailey, founder of Automobile Quarterly. Mr. Bailey purchased the Duryea from collector, Henry Austin Clark, Jr. *Photo L. Scott Bailey*
PHOTO N/A	At left is the oldest known, surviving, Peoria Duryea, and the third oldest of all Duryeas. It was finished originally as a delivery, as shown above. Charles Duryea has described it as both his "third Peoria job," and his second built Peoria vehicle, and one of three prototypes built in the workshop behind the Duryea's family home. Peoria newspaper stories tell of its use, beginning in early July 1899. In it's present restored state, it is exhibited at the Peoria Public Library, Peoria, Illinois. *Photo L. Scott Bailey*

	This drawing appeared in an 1899 Peoria newspaper. Known as the Davidson gun carriage, the Duryea was ordered by, and built for, Major Royal Davidson of the Northwestern Military Academy, Highland Park, IL.
	Critically aclaimed Peoria artist, the late Elmer King, created with his brush, colorful images that speak to the viewer. This print shows a slice of Peoria's history, from a century ago. The print at the left is the Davidson Duryea gun carriage, in the original 3-wheel configuration. *Print: Elmer M. King*
	In late, June 1900, the gun carriage was driven from Highland Park, to Peoria Heights, Illinois. The reported purpose was to make modifications in preparation for it's trip from Highland Park, to Washington, DC. Shredded tires forced cancellation of the trip in Indiana. The gun carriage was returned to Highland Park via rail. *Print: Elmer M. King*
	This is one of two Peoria/Peoria Heights built Duryeas, known to exist. This one appears to be a production model, thus produced in Peoria Heights, by the Peoria Rubber & Mfg. Co. It is in the collection of the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan. *Material - Herman Minges* *Courtesy Antique Automobile*
	The Duryea Gem cyclecar, shown at left, is thought to be Charles Duryea's last hurrah. Pick a year between 1913 and 1920, and literature exists stating it was made during that year. Three are known to exist. At the time of the purchase of the Duryea Trap, L. Scott Bailey gave one to the people of Central Illinois. It is exhibited at the Wheels 'O Time Museum, Dunlap, IL. *Photo: L. Scott Bailey*