Tin Can Tourists Tidbits
T.C.T. Official Colors: Black and Tan
T.C.T. Stated Objective: To Unite Fraternally All Auto Campers
T.C.T. Guiding Principles: Clean camps, friendliness among campers, decent behavior and plenty of clean, wholesome entertainment for those in the camps
Ode to the TCT: (Sang to the tune ‘Battle Cry of Freedom’)
Lyrics by T.C.T. Royal Secretary, Mrs. W. H. Husselman from Butler, Indiana Circa 1921
“Oh we will rally round the campfire, We’ll rally once again. Shouting the auto camper forever, We will always be faithful. We will always be true. Shouting the auto camper forever.
The Tin Can Forever Hurrah! Boys Hurrah! Up with the Tin Can, Down with the foe. We will rally round the campfire, We’ll rally once again. Shouting the auto camper forever.
We will stand by the canner, our duty we will do. Shouting the auto camper forever, And we will rally around the campfire as we go passing through, Shouting the auto camper forever.
The Tin Can Forever Hurrah! Boys Hurrah! Up with the Tin Can, Down with the foe. We will rally round the campfire, We’ll rally once again. Shouting the auto camper forever.”
The Little Lamp of Friendship:
The little lamp of friendship, We light along the way. Go shining on far down the years and brighten everyday. “Tis love that keeps them shining And sympathy and trust.” God help us that no lamp go out Because we let it rust. Written by unknown TCT member
T.C.T. Prayer: ( from prayer delivered at meeting) – “O’Lord grant us the power to do the things that we know are right and grant us the power not to do the things we know are wrong and grant us the knowledge to know the difference.”
T.C.T. Motto: – “Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you.”
T.C.T. official Song: “The More We Get Together”
“The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be
‘Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be”
T.C.T. Secret Handshake: Sawing motion
T.C.T. Secret sign: “C” made with thumb and forefinger
“after WW II the tourists gathered in Traverse City, every summer”
The success of the movement was said to be due to the legend that once you roll with a trailer you’ll never be satisfied with a stationary home again.
In 1982, Dorothy Trumble, of Clearwater, Florida, and TCT member, donated pictures to Florida Museum of History
Billie Vliet Tracy – El Paso, Texas- wrote of experiences traveling with her parents that is part of the Florida Museum’s collection
“Mobile Home and Trailer News” published weekly in Florida, carried a lot of TCT items.
TCT members used metal ID tag on license plate – diamond shaped, TCT letter imprint (tan and black)
A Grand March kicked off the opening ceremonies.
There was a definite rivalry between the campers and hotel owners. The hotels discouraged camping in public parks as contrary to public health and incidentally contrary to their business. They called them Tin Canners or those literally living out of tin cans, having limited facilities for cooking the tin can was a convenient item and a friend indeed.
The originals called themselves “Soupbone”
Our organization has a “tar and feather” element in it. The city of Tampa labeled the place (the camp), a nuisance and the better element were compelled to go to work and clean it out or lose their privilege as campers. Panhandlers were also declared as undesirables. When fishing was good the surplus of each individual fisherman was dumped on the ground, the less fortunate or slothful could help themselves.
Since 1933 when membership cards were first issued, over 43,500 have been placed on our filing list. Early Qualifications: ** over twelve years of age and good moral character. Must be living in a tent, car house, car, trailer or camp (tourist ) cottage, on or near the site of one of our meetings at the time application for membership is made. Applications must be made in person. Cost: Each applicant is required to purchase an official lapel emblem and each car carry on official car emblem. Membership card good for life, is given. At each official meeting each members pays for a registration card that entitles that member to all activities of the two weeks of meetings.
Three official meetings yearly, Annual summer reunion in some other city, annual winter homecoming and annual convention and trailer show held in Florida, – Thanksgiving reunion in Florida and an official Home Going gathering in Florida
Each camper also carried a large assortment of canned goods. There would be cans stashed under the seats, slung over the top, packed along the sides, tucked behind cushions and stacked on the floor.
Before going to bed be sure to lock the manipulating devices on your automobile so that no one may appropriate the carriage while you sleep. You might also place a six-shooter under your pillow. You will sleep just as well, and it might come in handy.
Tin Can Camper Exhibit at Museum of Florida History, Department of State, R.A. Gray Building, Tallahassee, Fl 32304
“trailordom’s most modern portable palaces are being shown this week.” News clip advertising TCT gathering in Tampa
“They called us Tin Can Tourists, because of our cars and the fact that canned food was frequently on our menus.”
“Most people would have nothing to do with us. They thought we were gypsies. And a lot of sheriffs met us at the county lines.”
“With the postwar (WWI) drop-off in industrial production in the North, many laid-off workers still had a cushion of money – and a Ford Model “T”. Instead of despairing, they decided, ‘Lets take a vacation.’ And they headed to Florida.”
“St. Petersburg had endured wisecracks in that era (20’s) as a “tin can” tourist town, with some avaricious natives avowing that the tourists ‘ arrived with one shirt and a $20 bill – and never changed either all winter’.”
” a new breed of winter tourists – restless, full of energy, frequently cosmopolitan rather than provincial, from cities instead of farms.“
“on display (at annual gatherings) are units ranging from small honeymoon homes to big macadam mansions, finished in padded leather. Prices vary from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.”
“If you met a (tin lizzie) on the road with a little tin can on the radiator cap, you knew he was a member and a gentleman.”
“It is said that before the typical tin Can Tourist relinquishes his hold on a 25-cent piece he gives it a farewell squeeze of such violence that the eagle on it frequently emits a strangled squawk of anguish.”
The main business of the Winter Convention was to decide when and where the Summer Convention was to be held, and vice versa.
Those who have the cheaper trailers are known as the Tin Can Tourists, those who have the elaborate ones are veritable land yachtsman. Editorial; New York Times, August 8, 1936.
In his story “The Golden Honeymoon,” Ring Lardner follows his main characters on a trip to St. Pete, where the narrator/protagonist portrays, inter alia, the Tin Can Tourists.
All known T.C.T. Winter Conventions (Florida) with notable officers in attendance:
1919-1920- DeSota Park, Tampa. Note: Charter was drafted and listed officials elected
Royal Chief, J. M. Morrison, Chicago, Ill.
Royal Vice-Chief, G. M. Tremaine, Fredonia, N. Y.
Royal Secretary, Mrs. R. C. Kimball, Deport, Texas
Royal Treasurer, Mrs. J. L. Truesdale, Minneapolis, Minn.
1920-1921- DeSota Park, Tampa.
Royal Chief, J. M. Morrison, Chicago, Ill.
Royal Vice-Chief, G. M. Tremaine, Fredonia, N. Y.
Royal Secretary, Mrs. R. C. Kimball, Deport, Texas
Royal Treasurer, Mrs. J. L. Truesdale, Minneapolis, Minn.
1921-1922- Gainesville, Florida.
Royal Chief, G. M. Tremaine, Fredonia, N. Y.
Royal Vice-Chief, “Grandpa” Hawkins, Noblesville, Ind.
Royal Secretary, Mrs. W. H. Husselman, Butler, Ind.
Royal Treasurer, Mrs. J. L. Truesdale, Minneapolis, Minn.
1922-1923- DeSota Park, Tampa, Florida
Royal Chief, G. M. Tremaine, Fredonia, N. Y.
Royal Vice-Chief, “Grandpa” Hawkins, Noblesville, Ind.
Royal Secretary, Mrs. W. H. Husselman, Butler, Ind.
Royal Treasurer, Mrs. J. L. Truesdale, Minneapolis, Minn.
1923-1924- Tampa and Arcadia, Florida
Royal Chief, “Grandpa” Hawkins, Noblesville, Ind.
Royal Vice-Chief, Chas. W. Ballard, Girard, Ill.
Royal Secretary, Mrs. C. G. Elmore, Omaha, Neb.
Royal Treasurer, D. M. Furstenburger, Cardington, Ohio.
1924-1925– Arcadia, Florida
Royal Chief, O. G. Shoup, Detroit, Mich.
Royal Vice-Chief, E. A. Genia, Hart, Mich.
Royal Secretary, R. W. Vaughn, Rome City, Ind.
Royal Treasurer, Ben C. Kennedy, Indianapolis, Ind.
1925-1926– Arcadia, Florida
Royal Chief, O. G. Shoup, Detroit, Mich.
Royal Vice-Chief, D. E. Huston, Columbus, Ohio
Royal Secretary, R. W. Vaughn, Rome City, Ind.
Royal Treasurer, Ben C. Kennedy, Indianapolis, Ind.
1926-1927– Arcadia, Florida
Royal Chief, D. E. Huston, Columbus, Ohio
Royal Vice-Chief, J. C. Quinby, Chappaqua, N.Y.
Royal Secretary, R. W. Vaughn, Rome City, Ind.
Royal Treasurer, Ben C. Kennedy, Indianapolis, Ind.
1927-1928– Arcadia, Florida
Royal Chief, J. C. Quinby, Chappaqua, N. Y.
Royal Vice-Chief, D. L. Barlow, Huntington, W. Va.
Royal Secretary, L. E. Egle, Lincoln, Nebr.
Royal Treasurer, Ben C. Kennedy, Indianapolis, Ind.
1928-1929– Arcadia, Florida
Royal Chief, D. L. Barlow, Huntington, W. Va.
Royal Vice-Chief, Fay King, Fulton, N. Y.
Royal Secretary, R. W. Vaughn, Rome City, Ind.
Royal Treasurer, Ben C. Kennedy, Indianapolis, Ind.
1929-1930– Arcadia, Florida
Royal Chief, Fay King, Fulton, N. Y.
Royal Vice-Chief, Frank Keenan, Morgantown, W. Va.
Royal Secretary, R. W. Vaughn, Rome City, Ind.
Royal Treasurer, Ben C. Kennedy, Indianapolis, Ind.
*The Royal Chief being absent, Vice-Chief Keenan presided, and by action of the Convention was granted all the rights and privileges of a Royal Chief.
1930-1931– Arcadia, Florida
Royal Chief, F. E. Sylvester, West Englewood, N. J.;
Royal Vice-Chief, L. L. Vaughn, New Carlisle, Ind.;
Royal Secretary, Mrs. E. S. Ho-
1931-1932– Sarasota, Florida
Royal Chief, R. W. Vaughn, Rome City, Ind.
Royal Vice-Chief, J. J. Kelly, Watkins Glen, N. Y.
Royal Secretary, Mrs. E. S. Hobart, Buffalo, N. Y.
Royal Treasurer, Ben C. Kennedy, Indianapolis, Ind.
1932-1933– Sarasota, Florida
Royal Chief, J. E. Martendill, Columbus, Ohio
Royal Vice-Chief, M. A. Dickey, Kansas City, Mo.
Royal Secretary, Mrs. E. S. Hobart, Buffalo, N. Y.
Royal Treasurer, W. O. Perkins, Noblesville, Ind.
1933-1934– Sarasota, Florida
Royal Chief, Dr. M. A. Dickey, Kansas City, Mo.
Royal Vice-Chief, William Hickey, Tuscola, Ill.
Royal Secretary, Edward Jungclas, Cincinnati, Ohio
Royal Treasurer, J. A. Smith, Deposit, N. Y.
1934-1935– Sarasota, Florida
Royal Chief, William Hickey, Tuscola, Ill.
Royal Vice-Chief, Ira L. Neely, Middletown, Ind.
Royal Secretary, Edward Jungclas, Cincinnati, Ohio
Royal Treasurer, James A. Smith, Deposit, N. Y.
1935-1936– Sarasota, Florida
Royal Chief, James A. Smith, Deposit, N. Y.
Royal Vice-Chief, Albert Carson, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Royal Secretary, Sewell B. Grout, Everett, Mass.
Royal Treasurer, Ira W. Green, Vassar, Mich.
Royal Assistant Secretary, Elliott W. Gyger, Cleveland, Ohio
1936-1937– Sarasota, Florida
Royal Chief, Ira W. Green, Vassar, Mich.
Royal Vice-Chief, E. A. Atwater, Lakewood, Ohio
Royal Secretary, Elliott W. Gyger, Cleveland, Ohio
Royal Treasurer, E. P. Goodman, Wooster, Ohio
Royal Assistant Secretary, John J. Timmerwilke,Terre Haute, Ind.
1937-1938—Sarasota, Florida
Royal Chief, C. C. McKnight, Coldwater, Mich.;
Royal Vice-Chief, Oscar J. Peter, Winesburg, Ohio
Royal Secretary, E. E. Gill, Tampa, Fla.
Royal Treasurer, P. L. Eidamiller, Downer’s Grove, Ill.
Royal Assistant Secretary, M. Edw. Long, Lansing, Mich.
1938-1939- Tampa, Florida
Royal Chief, Oscar J. Peter, Winesburg, Ohio
Royal Vice-Chief, Frank Van Epps, Portage, Wis.
Royal Secretary, Arthur D. Steele, Columbus, Ohio
Royal Treasurer, Harry Monde, Detroit, Mich.
Royal Assistant Secretary, Lloyd Cleveland, Iron Mountain, Mich.
Directors, C. H. Murray, L. W. Lightner, Paul Goldsworthy, B. G. Plant, E. A. McAllister and Joseph Havens.
1940- Tampa, Florida
1941- Tampa, Florida
1942- Tampa, Florida (22nd annual convention)
Royal Chief, R.C. Foster
1943- Tampa, Florida
1944-No Winter Convention due to WWII
1945- No Winter Convention due to WWII
1946- No Winter Convention due to WWII
1947- Tampa, Florida (Listed as 24th annual convention but 27th year of existing)
1948- Tampa, Florida (Listed as the 25th annual convention)
1949- Tampa, Florida
1950-
1951-
1952- Melbourne, Florida
1953- Arcadia, Florida
……
1968- Eustis, Florida (Eustis RV Park)
1969- Eustis, Florida (Eustis RV Park)
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1978- Eustis, Florida (Eustis RV Park)
……
2000- Tampa, Florida (@RV Trade Show, Fair Grounds)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
2001- Tampa, Florida (@RV Trade Show, Fair Grounds)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2002- Kissimmee, Florida (Tropical Palms)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2003- Kissimmee, Florida (Tropical Palms)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2004– Fort Mead, Florida (Flywheelers)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2005- Fort Mead, Florida (Flywheelers)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2006- Cedar Key, Florida (Sunset Isle RV Park)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2007- Cedar Key, Florida (Sunset Isle RV Park)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2008- Bradenton, Florida (Lake Manatee State Park)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
Mid-States Representative, Terry Bone (Michelle), Wixom, Michigan
2009- Bradenton, Florida (Lake Manatee State Park)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2010- Bradenton, Florida (Lake Manatee State Park)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2011- Bradenton, Florida (Lake Manatee State Park)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2012- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2013- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2014- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2015- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2016- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2017- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2018- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2019- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
Royal Chief, Forrest Bone (Jeri), Bradenton Florida
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Florida Ambassador, Denis Blaquiere (Ginger), Cape Coral, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
Mid-States Representative, Terry Bone (Michelle), Wixom, Michigan
2020- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Florida Ambassador, Denis Blaquiere (Ginger), Cape Coral, Florida
Representative at large, Hunt Jones (Sue), Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
2021- No Convention due to Pandemic (Covid-19)
2022- Brooksville, Florida (Sertoma Youth Ranch)
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Florida Ambassador, Denis Blaquiere (Ginger), Cape Coral, Florida
2023- Fort McCoy, Florida (Fort McCoy KOA)
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Florida Ambassador, Denis Blaquiere (Ginger), Cape Coral, Florida
2024- Dunnellon, Florida (Robinson Ranch)
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Florida Ambassador, Denis Blaquiere (Ginger), Cape Coral, Florida
2025- Dunnellon, Florida (Robinson Ranch)
Royal Chief, Terry Bone (Michelle), Wixom, Michigan
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Florida Ambassador, Denis Blaquiere (Ginger), Cape Coral, Florida
Florida Ambassador, Alice Ramos (Ron), Lakeland, Florida
2026- Dunnellon, Florida (Robinson Ranch)
Royal Chief, Terry Bone (Michelle), Wixom, Michigan
SE Representative, Tim Heintz, Panama City, Florida
Florida Ambassador, Denis Blaquiere (Ginger), Cape Coral, Florida
Florida Ambassador, Alice Ramos (Ron), Lakeland, Florida