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Rogers Auto-Biography: An Automotive
History of Rogers
Now on View
 Did
you know that the first car in Rogers wasn’t driven into
town, but instead arrived on the Frisco Railroad? Did you
know that the bricks in the downtown streets are original
pavers from 1924? Have you ever heard that cities once
issued license plates and that those for Rogers featured
first a big red apple and later a white chicken? Did you
know that Rogers purchased its first police car in 1946 and
had parking meters in the 1950s? All of these interesting
facts and much more will be on display in the newest Rogers
Historical Museum exhibit, “Rogers Auto-Biography: An
Automotive History of Rogers.”
The exhibit explores the great changes that the automotive
age brought to the community during the twentieth century.
Cars enabled people to look beyond town centers for their
homes, goods, and livelihoods. Vehicles gave freedom, shaped
memories of youth, defined identities, and reflected
individual aspirations. At the turn of the 20th century cars
were still a novelty to some and an innovation to others.
But by the 1960s Rogers had been forever changed by the car.
Through exploring the interpretive text, images, and objects
on display, visitors will be able to travel through the
automotive history of Rogers. Exhibit information considers
the early days of driving, the development of the automotive
business, community changes, and the cultural impact of
cars. Objects on display will include license plates, maps,
personal memorabilia, photographs, antique car accessories
and parts, and much more.
A matching game will allow visitors to connect well-known
local personalities with cars they identified with at some
point in their lives. And a genuine 1929 Model A engine
display will permit visitors to experience the process of
crank starting an automobile. The engine was graciously
built for this exhibit by members of the Natural State Model
A Club.
Inspired by the streamlined Hailey Motor Co. building of the
late 1940s, the entrance to the gallery will represent
stepping into a showroom where visitors may discover new
things or simply revisit special times in their own past.
This exhibit recognizes that virtually all people have had
an automotive experience in their lives, whether good or
bad. We hope that visitors will find, and perhaps share, a
connection to understanding our community through the
vantage point of the automobile.
The Rogers Historical Museum is located at 322 South Second
Street, at the corner of Second and Cherry in historic
downtown Rogers. Hours are 10 to 4, Tuesday through
Saturday, and admission is free. For more information on
this and other exhibits and programs, call 621-1154 or visit
www.rogersarkansas.com/museum.
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