Vehicle parking has always been a problem in small towns. Some motorists in Ashland, Ore., sport bumper stickers lamenting the lack of parking places. The city recently doubled overtime parking fines from $11 to $22.
One hundred years ago Klamath Falls had to deal with finding parking for horses and mules pulling farm wagons or for horses ridden by cowboys or others.
Newly elected Mayor C.B. Crisler responded boldly. On July 22, 1916, the Klamath Falls Evening Herald reported, “As another act in his program, announced after his election, of generally improving the city, Mayor Crisler is now … installing … hitching racks on Klamath Avenue, between Third and Fourth Streets. These racks are made of steel pipe, and extend almost the entire distance of the block.
“Besides the racks here, others are soon to be placed on Klamath Avenue between Tenth and Eleventh streets, and at some point on Sixth Street, to be determined later. These racks are for the accommodation of farmers and others in Klamath Falls with teams.”
The article did not mention if the animals’ owners faced time limits or parking tickets.
Source: "HISTORY SNAPSHOT: Hitching Racks Installed on Klamath." The Midge: Cultural Newsletter of the Klamath Basin 20 July 2016. Print; "Mayor Crisler Carrying Out His Program: Steel Hitching Racks Latest Improvement." Evening Herald 22 July 1916 [Klamath Falls, Ore.]: 1. Print.
