Bicycling in Plainfield – A Brief History

man riding a penny farthing bicycle

The City of Plainfield has enjoyed a long history of bicycling. After the introduction of the safety bike in 1885, it became a fashionable pastime sport for both men and women. Earlier bicycles such as the high wheeler were considered hazardous. The high wheeler, later known as a “penny-farthing,” had a small rear wheel and a much larger front wheel that enabled faster speeds.

In Plainfield, clubs were very popular. The African-American community established the Victor Wheelmen of Plainfield in October 1893, with the Daily Press announcing, “Good luck attend them, and reward their efforts with success!”

map page showing the Wheelman bicycle track — Dunham Atlas, 1894.

The Crescent Oval and Early Clubs

In 1894 the Crescent Wheelmen built a third of a mile clay and gravel court located on the corner of Randolph Road and Hillside Avenue. On the day of the opening on June 4, 1894, 1,300 people from all over the tri-state area came to the new $5,000 Crescent Oval. On the first meet, there were 126 competitors according to the Daily Press. According to the Times, “No club in the state has a more representative list of members and none perhaps that is quite so influential in the social, political and business circles.” They even ran their own candidate for Mayor.

The Crescent Wheelmen funded the track and advertised Plainfield as a place to cycle on both the bridle paths and the track. Visitors would often bring their bicycles on the train. In 1897, the Crescent Wheelmen met in their clubhouse at 104 West 2nd on the first Tuesday of the month.

four men racing bicycles down a road — Photograph by Paul Collier, c. 1900s.

The West End Cycling Club was organized in 1896 for members living in the neighborhood of Hope Chapel.

In September 1898 came an announcement of the formation of the American Wheelman’s Club, which was also an African-American club, with at least some of the same members of the Victor Wheelmen.

The Plainfield Cycle Club was another local bicycle club; by 1914, it was down to four members. The Queen City Wheelmen was formed on June 4, 1914, with headquarters in the bicycle shop of member George Simon. In 1916, they voted to buy new orange and black jerseys with “Q.C.W.” on the back and the club’s insignia on the left sleeve.

Daily Life and Transport

newspaper clipping entitled, "Cycling Comment" — Daily Press, 1887.

The Daily Press once ran a regular column entitled “Cycling Comment.” It noted personal accounts such as “Mrs. Whitney Frazee, of West Fifth street, is riding a new Rugby purchased from W. H. Rogers” and “Charles H. Angleman, of West Front street returned today after a bicycle trip to Bedminster.”

man and woman standing with bicycles and another man standing with a horse — Horse carriages and bicycles were common modes of transport in the late 1800s. Photograph by Reina Lawrence, late 1890s.

newspaper article clipping entitled, "The Annual Lantern Parade of the Plainfield Bicycle Club" — Daily Press, 1888.

newspaper clipping entitles, "Cyclists' Calendar" noting sunrise and sunset time and that bicycle lanterns must be lighted at 8:03pm — Plainfield Daily Press, 1901.

The Daily Press also included a Cyclists’ Calendar as part of the newspaper’s masthead. It identified sunrise and sunset times and when riders were required to begin using bicycle lanterns each day.

man with bicycle — Photograph by Reina Lawrence, late 1890s.

newspaper ad for a bicycle for sale — Daily Press, 1888.

two young people pose with their bicycles — Photograph by Paul Collier, circa 1910s.

A young woman and a boy pose with bicycles.

They appear to have exchanged hats for the photograph.

newspaper ad for a Springfield Roadster showing line drawings of the bicycle — Daily Press, 1888.

Before the development of modern bicycles, riders sat so high above the center of gravity that if the front wheel stopped short, the entire apparatus flipped over on its front axle. Thus the term “taking a header” came into being.

eight ladies in costumes posing with their decorated bicycles — “Ready for a Labor Day parade – Old Reformed Group / W. Second St. at Madison Ave.” Photograph by Guillermo Thorn, circa 1890s.

The Plainfield Lady Cyclists organized in 1892, meeting at the home of Miss Belle Butler with Mrs. W. D. Pond as president and 31 members.

newspaper ad Leo Zeisel's bicycle shop

photograph of two bicycles leaning against the store front of the Plainfield Trust Company. — Bicycles and a horse drawn carriage outside the Plainfield Trust Company bank at 139 East Front Street. Photograph by Guillermo Thorn, circa 1890s.

newspaper ad for Waverley Bicycles — Daily Press, 1896.

The Muhlenberg Hospital Carnival opened in May 1905 as one of the largest fairs in New Jersey, drawing thousands. The event featured a grand parade, 40 tents, 31 attractions, and nearly 1,000 electric lamps.

photograph of a loop-the-loop carnival attraction with a bicycle rider and a large crowd — Carnival Bikers Loop-the-Loop. Photograph by Paul Collier, circa 1905.

city directory page listing bicycle dealers and repairers — In 1910, the Plainfield city directory listed five businesses selling bicycles—just above the listings for blacksmiths and boardinghouses.

newspaper ad for Victor Tricycle — Daily Press ad, 1888.

man standing behind a sign for a bicycle shop — Photograph by Paul Collier, c. 1900s.

street scene with bicycles at the curb — Photograph by Paul Collier, c. 1900s.

On July 23, 1913, it was announced that prominent bicycle dealer F.L.C. Martin would be going into bankruptcy. Considered the “pioneer bicycle firm of the [state],” it began in 1889, added motor vehicles in 1902, and even planned to add airplanes at one point.

newspaper ad for Frank L C Martin's bicycle shop

interior of Frank L. C. Martin Cycle Co. with bicycles and a counter — Frank L. C. Martin Cycle Co. Photograph by Paul Collier, circa 1900.

newspaper ad for the Frank L C Martin Cycle Company — Daily Press, 1897.

The Plainfield Police Department organized a bicycle squad in the 1890s. They spent $11 on bicycle repairs in 1908; the cost rose to $305 in 1913.

Patrolman James A. Saunders, Plainfield’s first African-American police officer, was a member of the force from 1895 to 1917.

African American police officer posing with his bicycle — Patrolman James A. Saunders, circa 1910.

newspaper article alerting bicycle owners of replacement bicycles for those that get stolen. — Daily Press, 1887.

group portrait of the Plainfield Police Dept with two bicycles — Plainfield Police Department, 1905.

man riding a racing bicycle — Freddie Spencer.

Celebrated Plainfield athlete Freddie Spencer started as a mechanic’s helper in Jack Horner’s bike shop. He received his first bicycle from Edward H. Goodwin, who later became president of the Goodwin Motor Company. By the early 1920s, Spencer became the American sprint champion of bicycle racing.

By the peak of his career in 1934, he had won 22 six-day bike races in Madison Square Garden and held five world records. He was once the highest paid athlete in the country, earning over $100,000 a year—more than Babe Ruth. He left racing in 1938 and retired in Rahway, NJ.

newspaper ad for Jack Horner's bicycle shop — Plainfield Daily Press, 1913.

Renting a tandem bicycle was considered a fun way to spend an afternoon in 1897. Bicycling remained a core family and community activity through the following decades.

newspaper ad with line drawing of a two-seater bicycle — Tandem rental ad, 1897.

family posing with a bicycle — Posing with the family bicycle, circa 1930s-1940s.

two girls in dresses posing with their bicycle — Sisters with their bicycle, circa 1930s.

newspaper ad for the Bard Cycle Company with a drawing of a man with a camera and a bicycle — Daily Press, 1898.

newspaper delivery boys posing with signs and their bicycles — Newsies with their bikes, circa 1940s.

line of children posing with their bicycles — YMCA Junior Leaders outside of the Y, 1944.

a tired, young woman with her small dog riding a decorated bicycle — A long day riding in the Plainfield Fourth of July parade, 1944.

older woman posing on her bicycle with her pet dog — Plainfielder, Ruth Dobson.

three young men riding unicycles — Plainfield kids on unicycles, circa 1970s.

six boys posing with their bicycles — Plainfield kids posing with their bicycles, circa 1974-75.

two boys and three girls posing with their bicycles — Photograph by Irving Georges, circa 1974-75.

Mother and daughter posing with a bicycle, — Mother and daughter with bicycle, circa 1974-75.

boy riding a bicycle with only the rear wheel touching the road — Popin’ a Wheelie, circa 1970s.

five kids with a bicycle — Bikes and big wheels. Photograph by Irving Georges, circa 1970s.

five girls posing on their bicycles — Girls on bikes. Photograph by Irving Georges, circa 1980s.

All photographs in this exhibit are from the Library’s Historical Photograph Collections. If you are interested in donating an historical Plainfield photograph, please contact the Local History Department.

The images used in this online exhibit are part of the Plainfield Public Library Local History collection. These images are the property of the Plainfield Public Library and are not to be used in any manner without the expressed written permission of the Library Director.

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Bicycling in Plainfield – A Brief History

The Crescent Oval and Early Clubs

Daily Life and Transport