The First Trans-Canada Auto Trip

Halifax: August 27, 1912 <<<    >>> Victoria: October 17, 1912

Daily News: September 25, 1997

Happy Anniversary, Lorne & Irene

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Today's Statistics: Travelling from Brandon, Manitoba to Moosomin, Saskatchewan
Distance: 152 km Driving Hours: 3 h Fuel: 40 l Weather: Sunny Temperature: Min. 6 Max. 28

Canada's most renowned cross-country travellers celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary today, in two provinces. Lorne and Irene Findlay spent the day travelling from Brandon, Manitoba, to Moosomin, Saskatchewan.

The day's drive was an easy one for the 1912 Reo. Yesterday's strong headwinds had subsided and left blue, sunny skies behind. Along the horizon a thin layer of smoke stretched in all directions, the evidence of farmers burning to clear their fields.

Just before the Manitoba border, the Reo pulled into the Antique Auto Museum at the town of Elkhorn. This collection was largely assembled by one man, Mr. Isaac Clarkson, who left it to the town of Elkhorn in his will. The museum has a large collection of cars, some of which are very rare. Also on site is a collection of antique farm equipment - tractors, both steam and gas powered, and threshing machines. The display provides a unique insight into the tools that farners used in the early years of the province.

Shortly after leaving Elkhorn, the Reo suffered its first breakdown of the trip. A small brass water line which carries warm water through the carburetor broke, causing the Reo to overheat. However, the delay was short as Lorne Findlay was able to repair the broken pipe and soon the Reo was full of water and underway again.

The remainder of the drive was short as the Reo quickly passed the Manitoba Saskatchewan border and reached its destination of Moosomin. The first stop in town was at the Post Office, where anniversary cards for the happy couple had been piling up for days. The Moosomin postmaster presented Lorne and Irene with over 50 cards and packages from friends and relatives across the country. The Findlays were quite overwhelmed and thankful to all who showed such thoughtfulness.

By dinner time, the Reo had been decorated with streamers and wedding bell balloons and Peter Findlay chauffered his parents down Main St. and out to dinner. After a nice dinner at The Squire restaurant (incuding elk burgers and bison) Lorne and Irene returned to their room to begin to sort through the many greetings which will make this day so memorable for them.

Elkhorn Museum





The Elkhorn Auto Museum has a huge collection of antique cars, farm machinery, and other prairie artifacts.









Welcome to Saskatchewan





Welcome to Saskatchewan














Moosomin





Prairie towns have grown up around the grain elevators and the railway








Picture of the Day ... Lorne and Irene Findlay prepare to be chauffered to dinner on their 49th anniversary.


On this day in 1912 ...

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