Historic Photos Depicting The Chaos And Mayhem In The Early Days Of The Automobile

Leslie Jones, a photographer for the Boston Herald-Traveler, captured dramatic black-and-white images from 1917 to 1956, showcasing early American driving experiences. His collection highlights the chaos and destruction on the roads, including fatal crashes involving vintage vehicles.

Many Early Vehicles Were Hauled Out Of The Water

Leslie Jones captured many photos of vehicles being hauled from icy waters, including this car buried upright in the muck. Hopefully, it was recovered before the encroaching ice took hold.

The Dangers Of Driving In The Winter

Before power steering and winter tires, snowy roads posed a danger. This image of a car wrapped around a tree after losing traction is a stark reminder to drive cautiously in winter conditions.

A Truck Crashes Through A Garage

Leslie Jones captured this striking image of a truck crashing through the upper-story wall of a garage in East Cambridge, Boston. It’s a wonder multistory parking garages remained popular after scenes like this!

An Unusual Place To Park

City parking has been a challenge since cars were invented, as shown by this driver wedged tightly near the shops. The officer issuing the ticket seems unimpressed, while Leslie Jones was there to capture the moment.

Many Scenes Captured Include Fatalities

Macabre roadside scenes have been a risk since the dawn of motor vehicles. Leslie Jones captured this tragic image of a car crashing into Boston's icy shoreline as a policeman worked to clear a path for its recovery.