New York, New York: First Death by Automobile in U.S.
Henry H. Bliss was run over by an automobile here on September 13, 1899. A plaque, stating that he was "the first recorded motor vehicle fatality in the United States," was unveiled on the spot 100 years after his death.
- Address:
- Central Park West, New York, NY
- Directions:
- The plaque is mounted to the traffic light pole on the northeast corner of W. 74th St. and Central Park West.
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Historical plaque marks the site of the first recorded motor vehicle fatality in the U.S.
[Pat Gordon, 02/29/2024]Nearby Offbeat Places
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The plaque was placed here in 1999, on the 100th anniversary of Henry Bliss's auto-demise, "to promote safety on our streets and highways." Mr. Bliss, who was 69, was run over by an electric car.