Every town has its tales, weaving a tapestry rich in history and lore. My journey into Amesbury’s electric automotive past unfolds over shared stories and hot coffee, taking an unexpected turn toward electrifying revelations.
A few mornings a week, I hang out amidst a circle of seasoned friends at our favorite breakfast place. These sessions, with Jim Pollard sharing athletic feats, and secret stories not to be shared outside the trusted brotherhood. Dick Currier reveals town stories, and adds curious questions about what is happening in town. On one autumnal morning, our table sees a new face Bart Bailey. The name Bailey rings synonymous with the bridge over the Powwow River at Salisbury Point in Amesbury. As an heir to this lineage, Bart brings with him tales of a time when the local streets buzz with innovation.
Bart’s introduction leads me to his personal museum in Salisbury, a veritable treasure trove documenting the illustrious Bailey family’s journey. Their world-renowned carriages, and pioneering steps into the realm of electric automobiles paint a picture of an industrious Amesbury at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution.
What truly captivated my imagination is the Bailey family’s tryst with electric car innovations and their collaboration with the genius, Thomas Edison. His groundbreaking alkaline battery became the pulse that powers the Bailey Electric Phaeton, marketed as easy to drive, low maintenance, and a marvel that promises 100 miles on a single charge, a feat unheard of in that era.
But the Baileys don’t just make claims. They seek to prove them. The most riveting tale from this era is the audacious journey of the Bailey Electric Phaeton from the bustling streets of New York City to the soaring heights of Mount Washington. This voyage isn’t merely a test of the vehicle’s mettle but a bold statement in an age dominated by gasoline, and steam engines. As the Bailey Electric embarks on its journey, skeptics cast doubts. Yet, with each passing mile, from the urban maze of New York to the challenging terrains leading to Mount Washington, the electric car defies naysayers, standing testament to Edison’s revolutionary battery and Bailey’s automotive vision.
This odyssey culminates with the Bailey Electric making its triumphant ascent up Mount Washington, a 6,000-foot climb, leaving spectators in sheer disbelief. Here is an electric vehicle, powered by Edison’s ingenious battery, conquering terrains that many gas-powered competitors deem challenging. This was at a time before roads were paved.
This story, rediscovered and retold, emerges from a chance breakfast introduction, a chance meeting with Bart Bailey, and a deep dive into Amesbury’s innovative history. It stands as a testament to Amesbury’s spirit and fascinating history, a town where electric dreams soared to mountainous heights.
Salisbury resident C.J. Fitzwater is a curious traveler, perpetually on the lookout for fresh frontiers. With each journey, he blends historical threads into his stories.
Curious Traveler 
Leave a comment