Dublin Core
Title
Car License Plates
Subject
Transportation
Description
The license plates displayed here represent a century of automobiles in the city. The earliest from 1912 was the first plate on Chester Wilson’s 1911 Model T Torpedo Roadster. At the time only one plate was required of motorists. Recognizing the need to provide oversight of the new machines, the city passed it’s first automobile and motor vehicle ordinance in July 1903. It outlined that all vehicles must be registered with the City Clerk, recording the owners name, residence and type of vehicle. In return owners were provided with an “aluminum figure...four inches high and 1 1-2 inches wide” at a registration fee of $1.00. Owners were further informed that the “figures” (plate) had to be hung on the rear of the vehicle in a “horizontal line” so that it would be in “plain view at all times.”
As car ownership became more affordable, registration was assumed by the State, with license plates issued through the Department of Motor Vehicle, instead of City Clerk’s offices. Changes to plates over the years included adding weight class in the 1920’s, to help prevent ‘swapping’ between vehicles. The moniker “America’s Dairyland” first appeared in the 1940’s. Due to wartime metal shortages, metal year tags were issued rather than a full new plate to motorists. Size standards began in 1957 across the U.S. and Canada, and stickers replaced metal year tags in the 1960’s.
Donors: Mr. & Mrs. Chester Wilson, Edna Hotelling Smart, William Zidmars Estate, Richard Motola, Richard Becker
Adopt an Artifact Sponsor: Berg Management
As car ownership became more affordable, registration was assumed by the State, with license plates issued through the Department of Motor Vehicle, instead of City Clerk’s offices. Changes to plates over the years included adding weight class in the 1920’s, to help prevent ‘swapping’ between vehicles. The moniker “America’s Dairyland” first appeared in the 1940’s. Due to wartime metal shortages, metal year tags were issued rather than a full new plate to motorists. Size standards began in 1957 across the U.S. and Canada, and stickers replaced metal year tags in the 1960’s.
Donors: Mr. & Mrs. Chester Wilson, Edna Hotelling Smart, William Zidmars Estate, Richard Motola, Richard Becker
Adopt an Artifact Sponsor: Berg Management
Publisher
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum
Date
1900’s - 1990’s
Rights
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum