Information Archives - Page 212 of 445

How Do You Play Polo With Ford Cars? Fargo, North Dakota, Found Out in 1913

In August 1913 Fargo, North Dakota, saw its first auto polo game: two stripped-down Ford cars, a mallet man on each, and a basketball painted white.

How a Man in Colfax, Washington, Planned to Stretch Wrinkles Away While You Slept

Historical Facts, Washington

In 1904 William B. Hargrave of Colfax, Washington, patented a head harness of sticky cloth and straps to stretch wrinkles away while you slept.

He Bet Against Lincoln, So He Pushed 750 Oysters From Providence, Rhode Island, to Boston

Historical Facts, Massachusetts

In 1864 Joshua Hobart bet against Lincoln and lost. He paid by wheeling 750 oysters 40 miles from Providence to Boston, then kept betting for 20 years.

A Pilot Trailed Fire Across the Night Sky Over Richmond, Virginia

Historical Facts, Virginia

In October 1915 Art Smith flew over the Virginia State Fair in Richmond at night with fireworks wired to his plane, trailing fire like a comet.

The First Airship Over Arizona Sent Downtown Phoenix Pouring Into the Streets

Arizona, Historical Facts

In November 1908 Roy Knabenshue flew the first airship over Arizona. Doubting Phoenix crowds poured into the streets shouting There’s the airship!

A Fisherman in Boston, Massachusetts, Caught a Haddock With Three Eyes

Historical Facts, Massachusetts

In October 1927 a Boston, Massachusetts, schooner landed a haddock with three eyes. Crowds came to the Fish Pier to see it, and papers ran it coast to coast.

The Morning Rats Dragged a Hoop Skirt Down the Stairs in Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Historical Facts, Ohio

In November 1867 the Wyandot Pioneer’s apprentice in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, heard a rattling on the office stairs. It was rats dragging a hoop skirt.

The Day One Tiny Ad Flooded a Store in Rome, Georgia, With Cats

Georgia, Historical Facts

In the early 1870s a store in Rome, Georgia, said nobody read ads. Young editor Henry Grady ran one tiny want ad for cats. Here is what showed up.

Walla Walla, Washington, Opened Its Fair With 100 Cars. One Was Dressed as the North Pole.

Historical Facts, Washington

Walla Walla, Washington, opened its 1909 fair with 100 cars. One was dressed as the North Pole, with Cook and Peary arguing. Plus a balloon man and a dog show.