New York's Automobile Innovator

Last Friday I spent the day in Plattsburgh conducting a History Day workshop with Rich Strum, our North Country regional coordinator from Fort Ticonderoga. The Battle of Plattsburgh Association graciously offered us their museum for the day, and a handful of teachers, Rich and I spent our time exploring the History Day program, making some posters based on key concepts of the rule book, and discussing the annual theme. A good time was had by all.

Toward the end of the day, several area historical organizations came in to talk about the resource materials they have on hand. One such place, the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum, came armed with a fascinating potential topic that fits this year's theme, Innovation in History: Impact and Change.

The story begins with one man: Henry Abraham Lozier. In the 19th-century, Mr. Lozier made his fortune in the sewing machine business. By 1880 he became fascinated with the newest transportation craze, the bicycle. He decided to set up his own shop in Cleveland, Ohio, with the goal of creating the highest-quality bicycles in the world. Lozier's bicycles included tandems that could be steered from the front or back seat and bicycles with adjustable seats and handlebars so that they could grow along with their child owners.

By the late 1890s, the bicycle craze was ending and Mr. Lozier sold his business and moved his family to his favorite vacation spot on Lake Champlain: Plattsburgh, New York. It was in Plattsburgh that Mr. Lozier, his son Harry, and some key engineers began dabbling in motors. They first built boat motors, and then, at the turn of the 20th century, turned their attention to motor cars.

Like with their bicycle operation, the Lozier family prided themselves on quality craftsmanship. Their cars, which were engineered, designed, and built in Plattsburgh from 1900 until 1910, were the first luxury vehicles in the world. In 1910, when the average annual income was about $750, Lozier cars were selling for $4,600 to $7,750! In comparison, that same year a new Cadillac sold for around $1,600 and a Packard for $3,200.

A Lozier car participated in the very first Indianapolis 500 race in 1911. The car, driven by Ralph Mulford, raced to the finish line neck-and-neck with another vehicle that was manufactured in Indiana. Officials determined that the car manufactured in the race's home state won first place, but many observers felt that the Lozier had actually won.

As the race to build the best automobile intensified in the second decade of the 20th century, many small companies went out of business as automotive giants like General Motors and the Ford Motor Company began to dominate the industry. In 1915, the Loziers' failed to sell their company to Ford, and ended up declaring bankruptcy.


I found this story very compelling. Here was an American innovator who built the first luxury motor vehicle in America. Lozier's engineers, particularly George R. Burwell and John G. Perrin, developed advanced mechanical systems that greatly impacted automobile development in the 20th century. What I liked most about the story is its New York State connection, and the fact that it is again a little-known piece of American history that did have an impact on a national and international level.

For more information about the Lozier company, talk to the folks at the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum. They have several Lozier cars in the museum and a plethora of helpful primary and secondary sources.

Speaking of primary sources, here are my photo credits:
1. H. A. Lozier & Co., Shakespeare Would Ride the Bicycle If Alive Today: "The Reasons Why." Courtesy of "Trade Catalogs in the University of Delaware Library" Online Exhibition
2. Informal portrait of automobile driver R. Mulford and mechanic Joe Horan sitting in a Lozier automobile in Elgin, Illinois. Chicago Daily News negatives collection, DN-0003451. Courtesy of Chicago History Museum.
3. Lozier Motor Company Letterhead. Accessed from Oldmarineengine.com