The Van Buren Sisters

In 1916, Adeline and Augusta Van Buren set out to prove women could ride motorcycles across the country to serve as military dispatch riders. Even though their attempt was futile, they became the first women to make a solo coast-to-coast trek on the Lincoln Highway, traveling from New York to California. They faced obstacles including arrest in the Chicago area for wearing men's clothing, but still completed the trip in about two months.

University Park, Illinois · United States