Who knew?…
The world’s first RV (built in 1914) was actually made from a single redwood tree!
As a result, they called the vehicle “the Travel Log”.
The Travel Log was constructed by Charles Kellogg from a fallen redwood in the state of California.
Kellogg, a popular performer, wanted people to see the magnificent trees and to save these gifts of Nature, for logging was claiming them at a frightful pace. He spread the word by making a fallen redwood into a rolling home.” Source
Inside, there was a bed, a table, a tiny closet and some shelves. There was also a small sink and toilet, but no running water. Kellogg did all of the interior cabinet work himself.
The Travel Log RV is estimated to weigh about 9500 pounds and the top speed is 5 mph atop the solid rubber tires which provide no traction.
It is 9’9″ high, 6′ 1/16″ wide, 19’4″ long and 11 feet in diameter. The interior is about 5’8″ high and the gas tank holds 26.7 gallons. Source
Timeline For This Log Cabin On Wheels
Kellogg drove the Travel Log for the first time in the fall of 1917. In all, he drove “the world’s first RV” around the USA a total of 4 times on his vaudeville tours as a performer who sang (not whistled) bird songs.
In 1931 he retired, sold the truck and gave the redwood shell to two sisters who took care of him. They used it as a sewing room until 1994, when they donated it to the Humboldt Redwood Interpretative Association (HRIA).
In 1999, the HRIA restored the vehicle with the help of carpenters from Pacific Lumber Company. To put the log camper portion back on wheels, the HRIA bought a 1914 Nash 4-wheel truck from the Hays Truck Museum in Woodland, California.
Currently the historic vehicle is on exhibit at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center.
More details about Kellogg, the RV itself, and the areas surrounding Humboldt County, California — should you decide to take a drive to see the giant redwoods.
Related (yet not)… Check out these “house trucks“!
We’ve gone through the entire process of designing and planning every single detail of our dream log home! We have the blueprints… and the land… and the contractor… and the goal for our log cabin home to be our retirement home. Before you build (or buy) a log home, I have a slew of helpful tips for you — to plan, design, build, decorate, and maintain your very own rustic modern log home. When I’m not fine-tuning the log home of my dreams, you’ll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I’ve written nearly 300 articles for current and future log home owners on this site! Many of them have over 50K shares.
