Left-Second automobile in Mt. Horebowned by Fred Luder, Jr. Left to right: Clarence Vilberg, O.P. Berg, Fred Luder, William Ryan, George Grinde, Dr. Alfred Krogh, Frank Malone (Standing). The boys are not identified.
Mt. Horeb's Early Automobile History
Mt. Horeb's first automobile was a Haynes Apperson Surrey, pruchased by William Kjellman in 1899. to find out about this Kjellman and his contribution to Mt. Horeb's history go to: "Mt. Horeb's First Automobile, born of reindeer and gold fever."
In 1905, Fred Luder bought a Cadillac, and a year later, Dr. Evans sported a bright red Winton Six. In 1908, Sam Martin also owned a Cadillac, and in 1909, T.G. Lingard purchased a White Steamer. The next known car owners in town were Gilbert mickelson with a seven passenger Patterson; Gilbert Kleven, a Buick; and Henry Dahle, a 30 mhp Cadillac. There must have been many others buying automobiles at this time because in 1911, the Autoist Club was formed with 28 members. Each was assigned a section of road on which to look for holes and loose rocks. On September 29, 1911, James Brown was the first to secure a auto license, costing $5.00 top comply with a newly enacted law. In 1911, a village ordinance set a 12 mph speed limit which was increased to 15 mph in 1919. In 1913, the road between Blue Mounds and Mt. Horeb was macadamized, a great improvement over dirt roads. In 1915 Main Street was paved and ornamental street lights were installed, which called for a big celebration complete with a band concert.
At a dangerous curve in the road to Mt. Vernon, autoists were confronted with this sign: "Sound your Klaxon." Klaxon was the brand name of a loud auto horn.
As of July 1, 1985, there were 3161 cars and trucks in the village. The very slow beginning of car ownership in Mt. Horeb, multiplied by thousands of other villages, expanded into today's traffic situation, with its parking problems, super highways, toll roads, interchanges and bypasses. Highway 18-151 bypassed Mt. Horeb in 1985.
Text is from "Mt. Horeb-Presettlement to 1986" book which is available in the Museum Gift Shop.