Stearns Steam Carriage Company

E. C. Stearns & Company was a manufacturer of hardware and bicycles and entered the automobile business producing an electric car from 1899 to 1900.[2] The electric car sold in small quantities until fall 1900 when they decided to switch to steam cars and the Stearns Steam Carriage Company was formed.[3] George M. Barnes designed the steam car based on his Barnes Steam Trap of 1899.[1]

The Stearns was powered by a compound twin-cylinder 8-hp engine, with a chain drive and tiller steering. It was offered in several body styles, including a station wagon which was probably the first use of that style of car.[4] The Runabout was priced at $900 (equivalent to $31,658 in 2022) while the top of the line Station Wagon was priced at $1,600, equivalent to $56,282 in 2022. By November of 1901, the Stearns Steam Carriage Company reported to have produced over 100 cars.[1]

A Stearns participated in the 1901 500 Mile Endurance Run and received a First Class Ribbon. Stearns displayed at the Pan-American Exposition, and exhibited in the major motor shows.[5][6] In 1902 a Stearns participated in the 500 Mile Boston-New York Reliability Run without any penalized stops.[7]

Edward Stearns went into business with promoter Edward Joel Pennington and was vice-president of Pennington's Anglo-American Rapid Vehicle Company. A new incorporation called the Stearns Automobile Company became a subsidiary, but in the summer of 1903 the property of the Stearns Automobile Company was sold at a receiver's sale for $595.[1]

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  1900 Stearns Electric carriage
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  1901 Stearns Steam compound engine
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  1901 Stearns runabout in Endurance Run
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  1902 Stearns Steam Stanhope with top
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  1903 Stearns Model H Station Wagon
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  1903 Stearns Runabout advertisement

• Stearns Steam Carriage Company at the VirtualSteamCarMuseum.com

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