Riders learn pioneer bike made here

HUNTLEY — A group of bicycle riders had just finished the Bike Huntley event.

They gathered at the Huntley Gazebo Aug. 4 to learn about a type of bicycle which was created in Huntley.

Jake Marino of the Huntley Historical Society explained the achievements of the Latimer Brothers Bike, whose concept generated three bicycle patents for Frank Latimer and brothers Dale and Henry.

“It’s a very valuable piece that belongs to one of the Historical Society members. There are only two Latimer bicycles in existence, this and one in a museum in the Netherlands,” Marino said.

Marino told the bike enthusiasts three US patents are associated with the bicycle. The bike had a then new type of velocipede that was more economical and safer. The bike had a stair-step motion to make it run, as opposed to the circular motion today. Patents were issued for the bike itself in 1897; for the pneumatic bicycle tire the next year and one for the bicycle wheel in 1899.

Marino said the bike on display was for males, but one was also designed one for females to accommodate dresses of that era.

“I think this bike was more for adults than the kids,” he said.

There was some drama in the history of the Latimer Bicycle.

“Goodyear and Goodrich companies both made offers to the Latimers – for $25,000 at the turn of last century. But they were turned down. The story has it that Goodrich sent a spy to Huntley to get information,” Marino said.

“It’s incredible,” resident Margarita Rehr said.

Marino explained the family’s rich history in Huntley.

“The Latimer family owned property east of Route 47 where the present village treatment plant is located,” Marino said. “The family owned a feed and flour mill in Huntley. There is a street in a new subdiivison called Latimer Street.”

After the offers from the big tire companies were turned down, the family moved away.

“Their father was very ill, so they moved to California but died as poor farmers,” he said.

Marino, who works for the City of McHenry, was born and raised in Huntley and has always been interested in its history.

“I love the preservation of Huntley history. There have always been some visionary inventors in town, including a horseshoe invented here, now at the entrance to a bar, and an accessory for an early emergency vehicle,” Marino said.