Early Cars and Motorcycles on Display...

Friday, April 26, 2013

Click the Card Image above to See Larger

Abernathy Day will Focus

On Early Transportation

     In the early 1900s, travelling by automobile was an adventure and riding early motorcycles was a bold undertaking.

     Tillman County boys Bud and Temple Abernathy achieved fame during that time for boldly doing both.

     In 1910 the boys, then 6 and 10, rode their horses, alone, from Frederick to New York City. They then shipped their horses home on the train and drove back to Oklahoma in a 1910 Brush Runabout automobile. It was a remarkable adventure, even for that time.

     Three years later, in 1913 at the “advanced” ages of 9 and 13, the adventurous brothers again traveled from Oklahoma to New York City – this time riding an Indian motorcycle!

     On Saturday, June 1, 2013, the Tillman County Historical Society will remember these legendary adventures of Bud and Temple Abernathy by hosting a unique daylong celebration in Frederick, the boys’ hometown.

     On that day, owners of vintage automobiles and motorcycles are invited to come to Frederick to show off their vehicles and recreate the spirit of adventure that marked the Abernathy era. The celebration will focus on cars and motorcycles from the early 1900s through the 1930s. Owners of all vehicles from the era are encouraged to participate in the fun, one-of-a-kind celebration. Special attractions that day will be Brush Automobiles and early Indian Motorcycles.

     The vintage cars and cycles will be displayed on the lawn and parking area of the Tillman County Courthouse Square. The event will be non-competition, and will allow car and motorcycle enthusiasts to view wonderful vehicles up-close and visit with their owners.

     The car display will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run through late afternoon, with a special barbeque dinner, program and entertainment planned for that evening at the adjacent Pioneer Townsite Museum.

     The Frederick Chamber of Commerce and the Frederick Arts and Humanities Council will partner with the Tillman County Historical Society to host the day’s special events.

     Attractions, movies and programs that focus on early transportation, restoration of vintage vehicles, and adventures of the Abernathy Boys will be held during the day at the museum and the historic Ramona Theatre in downtown Frederick.

     Entertainment will perform throughout the day at the courthouse square, in addition to the evening’s dinner event on the museum grounds.

     Owners of all vintage pre-1940 vehicles are invited and are asked to sign up in advance for participation in the day’s activities. Information about the day and free sign-up for vehicle owners is available at the historical society’s website (www.tillmanokhistory.org).