April 17, 1947. The first motor car ever operated in Yamhill County was the 1901 steam “Locomobile” belonging to Ralph
Wortman, pictured here. The vehicle was purchased in Portland by Wortman in 1902 for $400 and a motorcycle and brought to McMinnville in the spring of 1903 as soon as the roads were passable. It was the first car ever to travel across the mountains to Tillamook and back to
the Yamhill Valley under its own power. Ralph Wortman and his brother, Frank, made this trip on July 4. 1904. The steam car has been stored in Wortman’s basement for the past 40 years, and was restored to running condition this winter at a cost greater than the original purchase price.
A number of McMinnville residents were treated to a ride in the ancient vehicle during the warm days early this week. This car is being taken to Portland tomorrow (Friday) where it will be used to meet James Melton, concert tenor and collector of early model autos, when he arrives at the Portland airport.