The story of the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company closely mirrors the history and attitudes of 20th century America. Indian was founded in 1901 by George Hendee, an American bicycle racer and builder, and Carl Oscar Hedstrom, a Swedish immigrant and machinist. The exhibition at the museum features rare Indians from 1903 to 1953 including a 1903 single engine Indian, a 1911 experimental prototype that Hedstrom and friend, Ben "The Terrible Swede" Swenson, personally worked on, a 1946 power plus with sidecar, a 1947 Chief, plus engines, historic photos, racing memorabilia, and much more.
Charlene and I visited the exhibit yesterday and although small it was well put together and worth seeing. A great collection of the best motorcycles ever made. Although the did mention the rebadged Royal Enfield Indians, they did not have one on exhibit.
To see the rest of the pictures I took yesterday, please, visit my Flickr Album - Indian Nation.
