|
Auto
Club through the years
|
|
1900
|
|
Dec.
13, 1900-The founders of the Club got together and formed The
Auto Club in Los Angeles. The ten founders were:
|
| 1. Russell Holabird 2. John H. Martindale 3. Harry C. Turner 4. Homer Laughlin 5. Walter D. Wise 6. Lee Chamberlain 7. William K. Cowan 8. William Lambert 9. Edward Off 10. Arthur L. Hawes |
 |
|
1903-The Auto Club begins to fund races, rallies, and runs. 1906-The Auto Club begins to sign posts. (click on Right or Left? for more info) 1908-The Auto Club supports a 3.5 million-bond issue for better roads. 1909-The first guidebook by the Auto Club is created. 1909-In February, the Auto Club published
Touring Topics, which later became Westways. |
|
1910
|
 |
1911-The Auto
Club Touring Information Bureau issues its first maps over the counter.
1914-The first Auto Club branch opens up in San Diego. 1914-The Auto Club begins to sign post the route later known as Route 66. 1914-The Auto Club starts a theft Bureau, which helps recover 979 cars in its first three years. 1915-The Auto Club begins to participate
in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. The Auto Club tow trucks pull floats
in the Rose Parade. |
|
1920
|
| 1921-The Auto Club set up
an Engineering Department.
1921-A Public Safety Department is established to educate the school about traffic safety. 1922-The Auto Club finished Los Angeles' first traffic survey. 1923-The attorneys of the Auto Club drafted the California Vehicle Act that set a regular speed limit and other rules for driving on the roads. 1923-The Auto Club moves into its current headquarters. |
 |
1924-The Auto Club created
the Highway Patrol.
1930-The Auto Club mounts an expedition to chart the International Pacific Highway. 1934-Touring Topics changes its name to Westways. |
| 1937-The Club suggests the
freeway system.
1940-The Pasadena Freeway opens between Pasadena and L.A. It is the first link in the region's freeway network. 1941-The Auto Club inaugurates a five-point Drive for Victory plan to save gasoline and rubber for the war. |
 |
1950
|
| 1956-1959-Construction begins on 36 new or expanded offices. | |
|
1980
|
|
| 1983-The Auto Club makes homeowners' insurance available. | |
|
2000
|
|
| 2000-The Auto Club celebrates its 100th anniversary. |
