Information Archives - Page 251 of 445

The Day the Movies Were Free in Ardmore, Oklahoma

In 1914 the movie at Ardmore, Oklahoma’s Theatorium was stuck on a late train, so the manager let the crowd in free. Then nearly everyone paid anyway.

Did You Know a Muskegon, Michigan, Man Found His Airship Idea in the Bible?

Historical Facts, Michigan

In 1909 a Muskegon, Michigan, photographer named D. C. Clark designed an airship from Ezekiel’s wheels and kept its motive power a secret.

Did You Know a Family in Culpeper County, Virginia, Said They Had a Pet Frog for 57 Years?

Historical Facts, Virginia

In 1867 Mr. Yager of Culpeper County, Virginia, said his family’s doorstep frog, Old Tom, came when called for 57 years. What a 1906 frog scientist said.

For a Few Years, a White Collar Could Stay White in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Historical Facts, Pennsylvania

In 1889 a Sacramento visitor wrote that a white collar could finally stay white in Pittsburgh. Natural gas had cleared the Smoky City, for a while.

A Farmer Near Audubon, Iowa, Was Building His Own Airplane. Then a Real One Flew Him Home.

Historical Facts, Iowa

In 1919 Leo Jenks, a farmer near Audubon, Iowa, had no money for an airplane, so he built his own. Then a pastor’s son flew him home in a real one.

Did a Farmer Near Guthrie, Oklahoma, Really Win $50 With a Day of Meals Made From Weeds?

Historical Facts, Oklahoma

In 1911 papers said a farmer near Guthrie, Oklahoma, won $50 cooking a day of meals from weeds and cattle crops. Then the story got a second farmer.

Pensacola, Florida, Found a Perfect Fake Half Dollar. Its Sound Gave It Away.

Florida, Historical Facts

In 1909 a perfect fake half dollar turned up in Pensacola, Florida. Its only flaw was its sound. Here is how people caught bad coins by ear.

Snow Closed the Sierra. A Farmer on 10-Foot Skis Carried California’s Mail Anyway.

California, Historical Facts

In 1856 John A. Thompson began skiing the mail 90 miles over the Sierra from Placerville, California, with no blanket and no overcoat.

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

Historical Facts, North Dakota

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.

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