Apperson Wins Glenns Valley Hill Climb

This image supported an Indianapolis News report published May 25, 1906 on the the Glenns Valley hill climb - the first such contest held in Indianapolis. The event took place the day prior. I want to note that this contest was conducted within a week of the Decoration Day races held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Indianapolis-based Leaders in the automotive realm were establishing their "ownership" of the month of May in the Hoosier capital. The spectator count was an estimated 500 people. Every car ran the same distance - 440 yards, a quarter mile. Telephones at the starting line and at the finish facilitated accuracy of timing.
 
The star of the meet was Edgar Apperson (pictured here) who made the best time up the hill to do the quarter mile (10 percent grade) in 31.2 seconds. He was first up the hill and posted a time none of the other subsequent 41 starters could touch. Second fast was Frank Moore in the Fisher Automobile Company-entered Stoddard-Dayton who was a full second slower.