Working as an Indianapolis carriage builder, Charles H. Black helped to herald the entry of the self-propelled motor wagon into Indiana. It has even been speculated that he may have built Indiana’s first automobile in 1891. Unfortunately, no contemporary newspaper accounts of the time exist to corroborate this claim. Elwood Haynes of Kokomo, Indiana, is generally accepted as one of the first to demonstrate a gasoline-powered automobile in America on July 4, 1894.
Indianapolis News, December 27, 1913
Black asserted in an article in the December 27, 1913, issue of the Indianapolis News that “In 1891, after making most of my parts in my blacksmith shop and having others made for me, I was ready with my first machine. I tried it out on the streets of Indianapolis, using the Circle and Delaware Street mostly as they were paved.” The article listed 12 prominent Indianapolis businessmen who recalled seeing Black operating his auto in the spring of 1891.
Further complicating his claim of being the first is the fact that about the same time a German-made Benz owned by Sam Pierson was stored in Black’s carriage factory. Black was documented as driving this car. The Benz may have provided some inspiration to Black, but the differences in the two autos are apparent. Most obvious is that the Benz used wire wheels, while the Black used Sarven wood wheels. Other differences could be noted on some of the engine’s mechanical features.
Black Business Wagon
As a skilled blacksmith and carriage maker, Black had the expertise to make most anything he needed. He built his own spark coil after rejecting one made inGermany. He commissioned a local storage battery company to build a battery specifically for his purpose.
Black is also known for a few other notable firsts. For example, in June 1892, Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison issued Black a license (possibly the first in the country) to drive on the city streets. Black probably also paid the first damage claim for an automobile accident in 1892 when he gave $1 to an ash hauler for a broken harness when the horse was frightened by the noise of his auto. Plus in 1893, President Benjamin Harrison rode in Black’s car inIndianapolis just after leaving the presidency. Black also claimed taking Thomas Taggart home from the Grand Hotel one day.
Black’s 10-passenger Wagonette
The fact remains that Charles H. Black conducted automotive experiments in the early 1890’s. Plus, the C. H. Black Manufacturing Co., at 44 South Pennsylvania Street (where the Century Building now stands), is documented as commercially producing autos from 1896 to 1900. The 1896 date establishes the firm as one of the first auto manufacturers in the state. The company’s printed catalog described five models from a lightweight two-passenger Business Wagon for $600 up to a 10-passenger Wagonette priced at $1,800. Black sold his designs and manufacturing rights in late 1899.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Black&GSfn=Charles&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=17&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=8550260&df=all&
We’ll stay with this one!
Tom:
Charles H. Black is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery section 25, plot 185.
Dennis
Dennis,
I know you are aware of these, but for the benefit of HI readers, here’s a list from Crown Hill Heritage Foundation’s website(www.crownhillhf.org) of some auto-related people buried at the cemetery.: http://www.crownhillhf.org/docs/IndianapolisAutoGreatsHandout.pdf
Tom:
It is interesting that Crown Hill’s list omits Charles H. Black. Will have to work on that.
Dennis
Dennis, I wondered that myself since he is included in the body of the material I wrote for a tour of Auto related individuals buried at the Cemetery. Your books were invaluable in that research. However, I think the list was developed more to be a handout during the month of May when the emphasis would be on the Indianapolis 500 and unfortuantely Charles and a few others may have been omitted to get everything to fit on one sheet of paper.
Tom:
I wasn’t aware that you developed their materials for the May programs. Great job! We went on the tour a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I guess they covered most of the material on the pdf. Unfortunately, the month of May overshadows other Indianapolis automotive history. Thanks for your comments.
Dennis
FYI – The C. H. Black Co. was not located on S. Pennsylvania. It was on E. Maryland per the both the Sanborn and Baist maps and the Polk Indianapolis City Directories of the era.