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New York-to-Paris, via Ames, Iowa! The year was 1908, and six cars lined up near Time Square in New York City for the start of the first international automobile race ever held. Promoted by the fledgling Automobile Club of America, it drew attention across the country. The German car, Protos, required repairs when it arrived in Ames on March 16, 1908. The Sigma Nu fratnity at Iowa State College entertained the German crew, made up of Lieutenant Koeppen, Ernest Maas, and Hans Knape and provided lodging and meals for them until their vehicle was repaired. The crew rewarded the fraternity by sending them one of their tires as a souvenir. This photo was taken in Story County near Colo. For more information on the race, see chapter 12 of "Ames in Word and Picture: Further Tales and Personal Memories," by Farwell T. Brown, 1999. (Photo is courtesy of Carl W. Allen of Nevada, Iowa.)