Camping grew in popularity with the introduction of the automobile. Camping allowed urbanites to enjoy nature and engage in restorative and physical activities such as reading, boating, fishing or hunting. Campers also avoided the cost and possibly dissolute activities provided at more expensive hotels, spas, and resorts. In the early years of the automobile camping was limited by the poor condition of American roads and to families who could afford both a car and time off work. By 1920, the popularity of “autocamping”, promoted by articles in magazines and newspapers, drove the creation of designated campsites in towns hoping to capture tourist dollars. By the 1950s, when this magazine article was published, camping was a popular and affordable option for post-war American families. Cars were large and gas was cheap.
From “We rough it and love it!” by Martha Forster Mertz in Town Journal, p. 32-33, 65.
“Our family of five takes vacation jaunts to all parts of the country at a cost of only $14.27 a day. And we have a barrel of fun. A station wagon does for us what the old prairie schooner did for the westward ho! pioneers. It takes u places; houses us; and hold all our living needs. On occasion, we even cook our meals on the tail gate.” p. 32
To learn more about vacationing through time, see Exploring Vacation and Etiquette Themes in Social Studies