Harry Truman Road Trip

IN THE SUMMER OF 1953, HARRY TRUMAN DID
SOMETHING NO FORMER PRESIDENT HAD EVER
DONE BEFORE AND NONE HAS DONE SINCE.

HE TOOK A ROAD TRIP.

On their first trip back to Washington since leaving the White House in 1952, Truman and his wife Bess, drove from their home in Independence to the East Coast and back again. Unaccompanied by Secret Service agents, bodyguards, or attendants of any kind, they would stay one night in a cheap motel - another night they crashed with friends. All along the way, they ate in roadside diners.

In Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure, author Matthew Algeo recounts this amazing journey and the former presidents amusing attempts to keep a low profile.

We will pick up their route in Hannibal MO, travel the same route; visit the same sites, hotels and restaurants that are still in existence. We plan to share this rare experience via youtube. So Subscribe today!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Harry
• Truman
• Road
• Trip
• Wes
• Sullivan
• Charlie
• Borth
• wesprods
• road
• trip

[SatchmoSings]

@OlegKostoglatov I'm sure you're correct; Truman did own two cars at the time; he generally favored Chrysler Corporation cars and various biographies mention his generally owning both a Chrysler New Yorker and a Dodge.

I just made the assumption that the picture we're talking about is the new New Yorker he and Bess took on their trip east soon after he left office and from your comments it obviously is not.

I stand corrected.

[OlegKostoglatov]

@SatchmoSings Actually it isn't, the instrument panel is that of a 1955-56 Dodge. A 1953 Chrysler has a rainbow shaped instrument panel, the same design they had used since 1949. In 1954 they went with two round instrument clusters side by side, one had the speedometer, odometer, and trip counter, the other had the gas gauge, ampmeter, temperature, and oil pressure gauges.

[SatchmoSings]

The last shot is Truman at the wheel of a brand-new, 1953 Chrysler New Yorker and Truman wanted to give the new car "a real tryout."

So, he and Bess packed some bags and just drove off East to Washington without telling anyone in law enforcement; imagine that!

On the way, word got around and state and local authorities did give the Trumans escort within their respective juristictions just about all the way to Washington.

[DutchTuna]

Wild about this video - nicely done.

[BonnieHuntShow1]

That is Great! Can't wait to accomapany you guys on your trip!