Among the Clouds was a seasonal newspaper published atop New Hampshire’s Mount Washington in the late 1800s into early 1900s. The title is fitting for this scene from 1904. Thanks to the camera work of F.W. Spooner, and the courtesy of the Roadsters Club of Massachusetts, we can enjoy this glimpse of the first “Climb to the Clouds” auto race to the summit.
The year was 1904. Spooner’s vantage point was along the approach to the summit end of the Mt. Washington Stage Road (they would later modify the name to embrace transportational changes). Wouldn’t we love to have a sound track for this scene of Harry Harkness, hurtling toward us on his 60 h.p. Mercedes. The 8+ mile “Stage Road” had hundreds of water bars to minimize erosion of the road’s gravel surface. Mr. Harkness and riding mechanician must have looked forward to the end of it.