Milwaukee Sentinel Cup
The Wisconsin State Automobile Association began a Wisconsin Reliability Tour in 1910, testing the endurance of various vehicle models. The race lasted six days, beginning in Milwaukee, travelling north through towns into Marinette, then west through Wisconsin, stopping at Wausau, and then on to La Crosse. From this Mississippi River city the course went south to Lancaster, where it turned east returning to Milwaukee through Madison, Kenosha and Racine.
This was an “absorbing” ride for the participants. The route took the cars through such diverse places as the Menomonee Indian reservation, of the most beautiful parts of Wisconsin; through the central part of the state, offering opportunities for thoroughly testing out the machines; while in the southern portion of the state was found some of the most picturesque, as well as some of the most prosperous and flourishing agricultural portions of Wisconsin to be visited. As the motorists went through the towns on the route great preparations were made to provide refreshments, entertain and welcome the drivers and other participants. Along the more than 800 mile course stretches of road were made or improved, hills graded down and bad spots built up.
Certain requirements were given to the automobiles, and after covering the course the cars were subjected to technical and performance tests. The event was recognized as one of the biggest motor tests of the year and only the finest and strongest autos and drivers in the country entered the grueling contest.
The Milwaukee Sentinel donated a magnificent silver trophy, one foot in diameter and fourteen and one-half inches high, to the winner of the tour. The inaugural tour was won by Emil Hokanson of Madison in a Buick. Hokanson would win the Wisconsin Reliability Tour two more times.
Emil Hokanson was born in Sweden on July 29, 1882. In the spring of 1902 he came alone to America, landing in Iona, Minnesota, where he worked as a farm hand. In the fall of 1903 he came to Milwaukee where he found employment as an auto mechanic. A year later he went to Madison, joining his brother in an automobile business. In 1905 the brothers became the first agents in Wisconsin for Buick cars. Emil bought out his brother’s interests in 1917 and the following year purchased interest in the Wisconsin Oakland Car Company in Milwaukee, moving here in the summer of 1920. The company soon built a large four story building at Wells and Jackson Streets. Emil Hokanson operated this automobile business until his death in 1932.
