Model T Ford Club stops in Licking
Photo by Shari Harris
Forty-five Model T Fords were signed up for the tour, with the greater part of those making it to Licking Thursday morning. One driver shared that he began having trouble putting his Model T in gear on Wednesday, so he wasn’t able to use it for Thursday’s leg of the tour.
The sight of more than forty Model T Fords driving into Licking on Thursday morning, September 4, caught the eye of many. Forty-five members of the Heart of the Ozarks Chapter of the Model T Ford Club embarked on Wednesday on their four-day “Hillbilly Tour” centered around Rolla, each day heading in a different direction. Thursday’s sights included Salem and Licking.
The antique motorcars lined up along Mill Street, spilling out onto the side of North Main in Licking. Drivers and passengers took the opportunity to stretch their legs, and several made short trips to gas stations and back. Many from the community stopped to see the old Fords and visit with the club members during their brief stay in Licking. Club members were overheard saying they had traveled from Indiana, Minnesota, Las Vegas, Texas, Kansas and other states for the event.
Upon hearing about the visitors, Suzie Blackburn, of Licking Downtown, Inc., hurried to the mill and offered tours of the historical structure. Most of the travelers took advantage of the opportunity to see a part of Licking’s history.
After sharing the stories of their cars and seeing the sights of Licking, Model T Ford Club members fired up their motorcars and headed down the road, turning many heads while seeing more of this part of the Missouri Ozarks.
Photos by Shari Harris
