SOAPBOX RACING
Is there a better time than during Lehighton's sesquicentennial for the town to officially lay claim as birthplace of soapbox racing in America?
For those unfamiliar, soapbox cars are home-built contraptions powered by gravity. They're a popular pastime for youngsters.And when it comes to soapbox cars, Lehighton has been hiding in the shadows of the Ohio communities of Dayton and Akron.But maybe it's time to let truth prevail.In this case, the truth about soapbox races likely will upset the proverbial apple cart. But it's an apple cart needing to be upset.According to Wikipedia, Myron Scott is credited with organizing the first soapbox race in Dayton in 1933.Two years later it moved to Akron because, reportedly, that town had a more central location and hilly terrain.All through the years, Dayton and Akron have been recognized for soapbox history. The World Championship finals are held in Akron every July.The problem with all of this is that Lehighton, apparently, hosted soapbox races as early as 1923.Lehighton actually beat Dayton to the races by a full decade. Or let's put it another way, Lehighton boys were racing their soapbox creations for 10 years before anybody in Dayton got the idea to put a wheel on an axle.Truth is, Lehighton children might well have inspired Ohio kids to begin dabbling in soapbox.In the Images of America book "Lehighton," by Lamont Ebbert and Gordon B. Ripkey, the authors state that local boys were fans of race drivers at the Lehighton Fair, motivating the youngsters to organize the first soapbox derby in Lehighton.Three boys, Arland Messinger, Bryant Blank and James Krill, "built cars out of wooden boxes, using a crude steering mechanism of rope," state the authors.A Fox "movie machine" reportedly captured the cars coming down the hill. With that event, a tradition was born.Lehighton hosted coaster races on a regular basis until the outbreak of World War II, when the derby was halted.However, Lehighton races resumed in 1950, according to the book. They were the result of work by volunteers Jimmy Whitehead, Fred Neihoff, Al Domenico, Chester Solt, Oliver Smoyer, Lewis Ginder, Robert Benner and Terrance Berger.It's unclear how long those races endured. More research should be done and details fleshed out. We do know the races stopped and started again.In 1989, Lehighton races were organized by Glenn Finsel, a Webelos leader of Cub Scout Pack 145, according to the "Lehighton" book.Of course, details should be compiled, verification obtained, and an official history written. But it appears soapbox derbies, the wildly popular hobby and sport, began in Carbon County, Pennsylvania.The launch of coaster racing in America happened on the streets of Lehighton in 1923.It's one of many reasons to be Lehighton proud.The town's 150th anniversary celebration is the perfect time to jump on a soapbox and set the record straight.By Donald R. Serfass |