The Duryea Automobile: Peoria's Lost Industrial Opportunity

Everyone knows that Henry Ford was significant in starting the American automobile industry. But, he did not invent America's first car. That honor goes to two Central Illinois brothers, Charles and Frank Duryea. In fact Henry Ford claimed that the first automobile he ever saw was a Duryea.

Charles was born, December 15, 1861, near Canton; Frank, October 8, 1869. As with the Wright brothers, their first interest was in bicycles. Charles registered nearly twenty patents in his name, most of them bicycle related. In 1890, while living in Springfield, Massachusetts Charles convinced Peoria native, Harry Rouse, to fund the Rouse-Duryea Cycle Co. Rouse was a bicycle manufacturer in Peoria, but they set up their initial shop there in Massachusetts. Frank joined Charles' bicycle manufacturing shop there.

Early in 1892, Charles purchased a used carriage for $70.00, and  the brothers began work on their first "horseless carriage." An engine, of their own creation, was placed in the rear under the seat. Charles returned to Peoria Heights where he and Rouse opened another bicycle manufacturing plant. Frank was left in Massachusetts to finish the first American gasoline powered vehicle. This Frank did and drove it for the first time, September 21, 1893.

The Chicago Times Herald announced plans for what would be the first automobile race in the USA, to be held, November 2, 1895. Out of 83 who registered for the race, only two appeared on race day. An updated and improved Duryea vehicle was shipped from Springfield, and a German-built vehicle were the only two that were ready on November 2, so the event was rescheduled to Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1895. A blizzard hit the Midwest two days before the event. Only 6 entries were ready to race. Despite several breakdowns and repairs along the way, the Duryea, driven by Frank, won the 55 mile event. The speed was a blistering average pace of 7 mph.

Then, the Duryea brothers returned to Massachusetts where they made history as the "Fathers of the American Automobile Industry." That is to say they were the first in U.S.A. to build, advertise, and sell automobiles. In 1896 the Duryea Motor Wagon Company manufactured thirteen identical Duryea vehicles - America's first automobile manufacturer.

 In January, 1896, Charles had the Chicago winner shipped to Peoria, hoping to use it to raise funds to create a manufacturing company here. It would have been on a royalty basis to the Springfield company. That effort failed.

In February, 1898 Charles again attempted to organize an automobile manufacturing company in the Peoria area. This time somewhat more successfully. The Duryea Mfg. Co. of Peoria Heights was incorporated, February, 1898.

In July 1898, the first prototype Peoria-built Duryea was rolled out for the public and the press to view and photograph. In 1899, production began at the Peoria Heights manufacturing plant. Eighteen engine blocks were cast by the Brass Foundry Company in Peoria for the Duryea Mfg. Company, but the actual number of vehicles built there cannot be determined. The company failed, so Charles looked for new territory in Eastern cities. In February, 1900, Charles moved to Reading, PA, where he had found financing. He built autos there, 1900-1911. Saginaw, MI, 1911-1913. Philadelphia, PA, 1913-1920.

So, the Peoria area lost out on the opportunity to become the center of America's automobile industry.