Automotive Pioneer. In 1897, with his twin brother Francis, they designed a successful auto steam engine and created the Stanley Steamer automobile. The cars had gained such a reputation for quality and reliability, that they went into production with the Locomobile Company in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1898. Due to the Stanley Steamer, by the start of the 1900s, over 125 American manufacturers offered steam cars. In 1906, the Stanley Steamer broke the world's speed record with a speed of 127.66 mph. By 1909, production of Stanley Steamers had reached 800 per year. The company continued to build Stanley Steamers until closing in 1924, with a total of about 12,000 made. F.O. Stanley suffered from tuberculosis and moved westward to Estes Park, Colorado, in 1903. He built the Stanley Hotel in 1909 and was responsible for establishing Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915. By 1940, he had built up the town of Estes Park; his final gift was the Estes Park Fairgrounds and Stanley Park. Today the hotel and grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Automotive Pioneer. In 1897, with his twin brother Francis, they designed a successful auto steam engine and created the Stanley Steamer automobile. The cars had gained such a reputation for quality and reliability, that they went into production with the Locomobile Company in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1898. Due to the Stanley Steamer, by the start of the 1900s, over 125 American manufacturers offered steam cars. In 1906, the Stanley Steamer broke the world's speed record with a speed of 127.66 mph. By 1909, production of Stanley Steamers had reached 800 per year. The company continued to build Stanley Steamers until closing in 1924, with a total of about 12,000 made. F.O. Stanley suffered from tuberculosis and moved westward to Estes Park, Colorado, in 1903. He built the Stanley Hotel in 1909 and was responsible for establishing Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915. By 1940, he had built up the town of Estes Park; his final gift was the Estes Park Fairgrounds and Stanley Park. Today the hotel and grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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