1910 Osmer and Harms

Harold Osmer & Phil Harms Real Road Racing: The Santa Monica Road Races, Harold L. Osmer Publishing: Chatsworth, CA 1999, 1911, 1910, 1910s, 1909

     The 1910 Santa Monica race was held on Thanksgiving.
     "The parade of motor cars started from Los Angeles, 14 miles from the scene of the race, early Wednesday evening. There was no let-up and throughout the night the chugging of motors continued. By midnight all the desirable parking space was occupied and 10,000 people were within a mile of the grandstand . . .

     "After dancing on an immense platform for several hours the fog and the chill morning air proved too much for the awaiting spectators and they proceeded to demolish said dance hall and burn it up in several gigantic bonfires. The special police who dared to interfere were threatened with a ducking in the ocean and retired. The beach resorts for miles along the coast were crowded throughout the night and those who could not find better accommodations slept in the sand and under the many palm trees." Motor Age

     "The hegira to the city which followed the finish of the race was tremendous. Automobiles lined up for miles and plodded their way slowly to Los Angeles. There was no use of endeavoring top speed. There were too many machines. From the summit of one hill between Santa Monica and the city the long line of automobiles, leading away from the scene of the great race, resembled a mammoth serpent crawling over the roads. . . ." Los Angeles Times

(Return to Sources)

 Kelyn Roberts 2017