In 1903, Americans viewed cars as suitable for short trips only, but Horatio Nelson Jackson was determined to prove them wrong. He made a bold bet, wagering fifty dollars that he could drive an automobile across the country. Accompanied by a man and a dog, Jackson's journey took him from California to Oregon, the Rocky Mountains, the Midwest, and finally to New York City. Despite numerous mechanical issues, the trio persevered, and Jackson's trip earned him widespread media attention.
Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip
In 1903, Horatio Nelson Jackson made history by completing the first transcontinental drive across the United States, paving the way for a new era of automobile travel.