75 Years of WheelbarrowRacing at El Dorado
asked the group of newcomers if anyone knew how to build a wagon. The group pointed to Johnny and the blacksmith told him he’d give him a job building wagons. Johnny resisted; he came for gold! An old timer gave Johnny advice that changed his direction forever, he said that turning down a guaranteed job was crazy, thousands were striking out, thinking they would find gold but didn’t. Johnny took the job and got to work repairing tools and building wagons. The blacksmith asked Johnny if he could build a wheelbarrow and after a couple clumsy attempts, Johnny mastered the task and soon they were selling faster than hotcakes! Selling for $10 each, he was soon known as “Wheelbarrow Johnny.” John had saved quite a bit of money, but one day received a letter from his brother back home in South Bend, Indiana. They were making wagons, but couldn’t produce them fast enough, and needed more capital to purchase more materials. Johnny eventually went home where he invested his savings into his brother’s
business, H & C Studebaker. The brothers organized their business in 1868, forming Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, and by 1875 it was the largest wagon builder in the world with sales annual exceeding $1,000,000. In 1092, the Studebaker Corporation produced an electric horseless carriage, followed by the gas engine auto in 1904. The head of that corporation was our “Wheelbarrow Johnny.” Back to today’s wheelbarrow races—this is an intense competition and participants train hard. The contestants traverse through various obstacles such as mud pits, railroad ties, balance beams, humps and bumps, all while carrying a heavy load in their homemade wooden wheelbarrows. There are several different races, each with a different entry fee and purse. Youth (up through 12 years old) and Teens may enter for free and the winner walks away with $100. The High School Team Race Challenge may enter for no charge, first place is $200.
This year’s Fair marks the 75th Anniversary of the John M Studebaker wheelbarrow races named after John Studebaker, more famously known as “Wheelbarrow Johnny.” The story is of a young man coming to Old Dry Diggings back in 1853 in search of gold and riches. Upon Johnny’s arrival in a wagon he built himself, a local blacksmith
2019 El Dorado County Fair
www.TheWindfall.net
24
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker