Transportation

Americans have always been a people on the move—on rails, roads, and waterways (for travel through the air, visit the National Air and Space Museum). In the transportation collections, railroad objects range from tools, tracks, and many train models to the massive 1401, a 280-ton locomotive built in 1926. Road vehicles include coaches, buggies, wagons, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and automobiles—from the days before the Model T to modern race cars. The accessories of travel are part of the collections, too, from streetlights, gas pumps, and traffic signals to goggles and overcoats.

In the maritime collections, more than 7,000 design plans and scores of ship models show the evolution of sailing ships and other vessels. Other items range from scrimshaw, photographs, and marine paintings to life jackets from the Titanic.

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token has been removed to leave the shape of a “W.”
Obverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1411
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1411
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. There is a triangle punched out of the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: CHI. SO. BEND & NO. IND. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ R. R. SMITH/ VICE PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Railway Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1344
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1344
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token in 1906. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token in 1906. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The token has a circular hole in the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: MUNICIPAL TRACTION CO./ CLEVELAND.
Reverse: The legend reads: 3 CENT TICKET 1906.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906
referenced
Municipal Traction Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1345
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1345
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. There is a star shape punched out in the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: CHI. SO. BEND & NO. IND. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ R. R. SMITH/ VICE PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Railway Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1341
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1341
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: CHI. SO. BEND & NO. IND. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ R. R. SMITH/ VICE PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Railway Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1342
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1342
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: CHI. SO. BEND & NO. IND. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ R. R. SMITH/ VICE PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Railway Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1343
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1343
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token is stamped out to form a “B.”
Obverse: The legend reads: BRISTOL TRACTION CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Bristol Traction Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1329
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1329
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. This token has three parts punched out in the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: CR&L Lines/CRL CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/CRL CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1350
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1350
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token in 1919. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token in 1919. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token has been punched out, leaving a “U” shape.
Obverse: The legend reads: UNITED RAILWAYS CO. OF ST. LOUIS/1919.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/ONE CITY FARE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
referenced
United Railways Co. of St. Louis
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1452
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1452
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. There are two semi-circular cutouts in the center of the token.
Obverse: Image of a bus in the center. The legend reads: COOKE STREET LINE, INC.
Reverse: Image of a bus in the center. The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE SCHOOL FARE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Cooke Street Line, Inc.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1354
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1354
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. There are three sections punched out of the center of the token and a central legend of PRT.
Obverse: Small Keystone symbol at the bottom. The legend reads: PHILADELPHIA/PRT
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/PRT/SCHOOL CHILDREN ONLY
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1432
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1432
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. Three sections of the center are punched out.
Obverse: The legend reads: EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS/EM/ST. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE/EM/ZONE FARE
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1367
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1367
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and transportation tokens. The reverse bears the signature of J.A. Harder, the treasurer of the Kansas City Public Service Company.
Obverse: The legend reads: KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SERVICE CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: HALF FARE/ J. A. Harder/ TREAS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Kansas City Public Service Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1394
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1394
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token is punched out for resemble a wheel shape.
Obverse: The legend reads: UNITED ELECTRIC RAILWAYS CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ A. E. Potter./ PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
United Electric Railways Co.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1455
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1455
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token from 1924-1938. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token from 1924-1938. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. George W. Gibbs was the President of the Florida Ferry Company, located in Jacksonville, Florida. There is a hole punched in the center of the token, obscuring the reverse legend.
Obverse: The legend reads: FLORIDA/FERRY COMPANY
Reverse: The legend reads: Geo. W. Gibbs/President.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924 - 1938
referenced
Florida Ferry Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1370
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1370
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The token is stamped with a “W” in its center, and has three sections stamped out around the “W.”
Obverse: The legend reads: WHITE LINE/BUS CORP.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/ONE FARE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
White Line Bus Corp.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1467
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1467
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token is removed to leave the shape of an “S.”
Obverse: The legend reads: SOUTHERN NEW YORK P. & RWY. CORP.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/ONE CITY FARE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Southern New York Power & Railway
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1450
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1450
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. There are three cut-outs in the center of the token. The Philadelphia Transportation Company used this token.
Obverse: The legend reads: DELAWARE RIVER/PTC/BRIDGE LINE
Reverse: The legend reads: PHILADELPHIA/BRIDGE TOKEN/CAMDEN
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1355
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1355
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. Two semi-circles are punched out of the center, leaving a strip. The reverse bears the signature of J.A. Harder.
Obverse: Image of four stars. Legend: FULL/K.C. RYS. CO./FARE
Reverse: Three stars at the top. Legend: J.A. Harder/TREASURER
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1677
catalog number
1981.0296.1677
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: INTERSTATE L’T’D MOTOR COACH CO./ILMCCo
Reverse: The legend reads: ONE FARE/ILMCCo/FALL RIVER, PROVIDENCE
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Interstate Limited Motor Coach Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1368
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1368
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this time table token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this time table token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: NEW YORK AND ALBANY/ PEOPLES LINE OF STEAM BOATS
Reverse: The legend reads: TIME TABLE/ LEAVE N.Y./ 6 P.M./ LEAVE ALBANY/ 7 ½ P.M.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
referenced
People's Line of Steamboats
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1602
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1602
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token is punched out, and an “F” shape remains.
Obverse: The legend reads: SAN ANTONIO TRANSIT COMPANY
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/ONE FULL FARE
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
San Antonio Transit Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1445
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1445
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. .
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. . Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of this token is punched out leaving the shape of a star.
Obverse: The legend reads: CITY ZONE FARE DISTRICT 1.
Reverse: The legend reads: BAY STATE/ BAY STATE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1317
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1317
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token reads PTC and bears the PTC wing logo.
Obverse: Small Keystone symbol at the bottom. The legend reads: PHILADELPHIA/PTC
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/ONE FARE/PTC
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Philadelphia Transportation Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1428
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1428

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