"Ken McCutchan is a life-long resident of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, descended from pioneer families that entered the area in the early 1800s. He is veteran of WWII, having served with Army Corps of Engineers in both North Africa and Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Composition and Modern Language from the University of Evansville, a certificate in French Language and Culture from the Sorbonne in Paris, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from the University of Southern Indiana. His other books include: The Adventures of Isaac Knight, From then Til Now, Saundersville, An English Settlement, At The Bend in the River, and Dearest Lizzie. Mr. McCutchan's books may be purchased at Willard Library in Evansville, IN.

The Bicycle Comes to Evansville    

by Kenneth P. McCutchan

The year 1874 brought a new sensation to Evansville: the bicycle.

Fred P. Straub of 1226 First Avenue was the first man in the city to own one, as he rode through the streets at the amazing speed of 5 miles per hour, he attracted as much as attention as circus balancing act. People would have paid admission to see him.

The first time he rode down Main Street business was forgotten, and people rushed out of the stores to watch him pass. Newspapers carried stories describing in detail this wonderful new machine.

It had a front wheel that measured 58 inches in diameter, with a very small wheel in the back. Some people thought that surely, before long, Straub would fall off and break his neck.

It was not long before others wanted to get into the act.

James Mackey bought a wheel that had been imported from England. Charles Travis was next, and then Tony Schneider opened a sort of an agency offering bicycles for sale.

The craze did not catch on with the general public until about 1892, when a new model came out called “The Safety”.

It was built lower, with smaller wheels of the same size, similar to bicycles of today. Suddenly everybody wanted one.

There is always an enterprising entrepreneur ready to cash in on anything new that comes along, so on March 6, 1896. E. K. Ashby held the grand opening of his new Bicycle Riding School in a two-story building at Sixth and Main streets. A large crowd attended. Music was furnished by an orchestra as the guests were shown through the establishment.

The floor space devoted to riding measured 80 by 200 feet, “a magnificent place, not only for teaching the art of riding, but for pleasure also.” and that “ladies will be given private lessons on the second floor every afternoon and evening.” Of course, he also offered bicycles for sale.

Soon the newspapers were carrying accounts of people who had broken an arm, broken a leg, or received severe head injuries in bicycle accidents. Of course, the unimproved rutted streets in those days were far from smooth, and perhaps the bicycle’s brakes had not yet been improved.

Frank Kramer, a local boy, bought one and started practicing at the fairgrounds, which were located on Kentucky Avenue south of Lincoln Avenue.

His practice eventually paid off, because around 1901 he captured the world record in bicycle racing, a title he retained for almost a decade.