TEXAS

The earliest registration of motor vehicles in Texas was by cities, with Fort Worth and San Antonio being the earliest known to pass ordinances in 1904.  Other cities followed, even after the first state law was passed in 1907, requiring motor vehicles to be registered with the County Clerk.  Local registration continued until July 1, 1917, when all such ordinances became invalidated by the first comprehensive state registration law.  A 1913 state law even enumerated vehicle registration as one of the powers cities of over 5,000 people were granted as part of their charters; this would have applied to some 39 cities of the state.

Amarillo (9,957)

A Nebraska State Journal article on June 5, 1910, reported that "420 autos were licensed by the town clerk last year" in Amarillo, Texas.

Austin (29,860)

According to the Austin American-Statesman on April 17, 1906, "Alderman Miller also offered an ordinance regulating the speed of automobiles.  The ordinance, which was referred to the ordinance committee, requires that all automobiles bear numbers not less than four inches high..."  On June 19, 1906, the same paper reported that "The city clerk reports that very few automobiles have registered of late."

An article was published on October 13, 1907, explaining the situation between city and county license tags at the time:  "Previous to the enactment...of a law requiring...all automobiles in the state to register each machine with the county clerk...an ordinance of the city of Austin required that each automobile owner in the city register his machine with and receive a number from the city clerk.  Numbers in each instance have been given out in the order of registration...and in consequence nearly all the automobilists in Austin are carrying two numbers on their machines, one issued by the county and one by the city.  City Clerk Jno. O. Johnson announced some time ago that if the motor car owners would get together and arrange a transfer of their numbers issued by the city to correspond with the county numbers, he would make the necessary changes without any charge on the city records, but nothing has ever been done in the matter.  At the present time the city ordinance, though never repealed, is regarded as a dead letter and City Clerk Johnson is not now registering machines, but directs parties applying for numbers to go to the county."  The article went on to list all of the city owners from #1 to #69 and the county registrants from #1 to #64.  Perusal of both lists shows that only five owners had matching numbers, #16, 19, 28, 31 and 55.

Another article on November 12, 1909, mentioned that "Commissioner Hart said yesterday that over 200 automobiles are registered in the county and that only about ninety-six are registered with the city clerk up to date.  He says that the owners...have neglected to turn in their names and receive permits from the city clerk..."

Brownsville (10,517)

The Brownsville Herald reported on November 23, 1909, that "The automobile ordinance, which was passed over until the next meeting...also requires that all automobiles in the city must be numbered, their numbers to be obtained from the city tax collector and their  names registered with him, the cost of these numbers to be $1.00 per annum.  These numbers must be placed in a conspicuous place on the machine..."  The ordinance was passed on December 20, 1909.

Dallas (92,104)

A Dallas Morning News article on February 21, 1908, states that the new automobile ordinance requiring the registration of automobiles and motorcycles is not being complied with.  The City Tax Collector noted that out of at least 180 autos in the city, only about 40 have registered.  The Horseless Age reports on April 1, 1908, that "The automobile registrations in Dallas, Tex., have passed the 200 mark."

Denton (4,732)

An automobile ordinance was passed on June 27, 1910, effective immediately, which, interestingly, did not require a fee or any registration with the city, but did specify the display of the name "DENTON" on the "same number block" as the county license number.  Motorcycles were specifically included.  This is the only instance known so far in which a city name was actually mandated by law.

El Paso (39,279)

The El Paso Herald reported on October 20, 1905, that an ordinance has passed the night before, with no fee charged for the registration or plate:  "At the request of mayor Davis, the city attorney drew an ordinance regulating the speed of automobiles running within city limits...It provides that the owner of each automobile in the city shall obtain from the city collector and assessor a number which shall be placed on the rear of the machine, the number to be not less than two by three inches in dimension...Upon motion of alderman Rand the ordinance was passed, all aldermen voting for the motion."

Fort Worth (73,312)

The first automobile ordinance was passed on June 3, 1904.  A Fort Worth Telegram article on June 4, 1904, states that the city's automobile ordinance went into effect that day and that the City Secretary issued numbers 1 through 6.  The numbers were required to be 6 inches tall.  Another article on October 10, 1905, mentions that "auto number 66" has been issued by the city.  A third article on May 27, 1907, alludes to city-issued plates:  "Those owners...not supplied with the official tag of the city will also be arrested as the city requires all machines to be numbered.  No charge is made for issuing this number tag, but in spite of this fact, about thirty autos in Fort Worth are without a designating number."

At some point, the city seems to have switched to owner-provided plates.  A June 6, 1908, ordinance required an owner-provided rear plate with 6-inch-tall numbers.  A May 9, 1910, Fort Worth Star-Telegram article says that the city is considering a new ordinance for annual city-issued rear tags to avoid swapping and duplication of numbers.  Yet, another article on April 18, 1911, mentions that tags are still owner-provided.

An article dated March 10, 1912, has the headline "AUTO ORDINANCE IS EFFECTIVE IN 5 DAYS".  It further reports that "all automobiles will have to be registered with the county clerk" (as they should have been already to comply with state law).  "In making the change, the city does away with its provision for city registration."  This simplified affairs for the motorist, but alas, was too good to last!

The Star-Telegram reports on July 16, 1914, that "Numerous applications for city registration of automobiles have been made, but none is being received, as the city auto licenses have not been secured.  It is now proposed to have the cars registered at police headquarters rather than in the tax office...the police also can see that the license tags are properly attached to the cars when they are issued."  A subsequent article on August 7, 1914, entitled "Required by New Law", announces that "City automobile number plates have arrived.  Commissioner Davis announced Friday that the numbers may be procured at the city hall, beginning Monday [August 10]."  Another ordinance is reported to have been passed on March 18, 1915.  Known plates, embossed steel, are as follows:

1915 (reported)

1916 White on Dark Blue, #2447 - 9266, vertical "FTW" over "16" at left

1917 Orange on White, #6170 - 6650, "FT" over vertical "WORTH" at left, vertical "1917" at right

Galveston (36,981)

A Galveston Daily News article on July 7, 1903, mentions that the automobile ordinance did not yet pass, but was amended in committee to require that only autos for hire need register and number their machines.  According to The Horseless Age on February 26, 1908, an ordinance passed February 6 for an automobile tax of $3, $5, $7 or $7.50 per year depending on private or public use and seating capacity.  The tax year was January 1 to December 31.

Houston (78,800)

The Houston Post published on May 7, 1907, the new automobile ordinance passed the day before.  In Section 1, it stated that "said numbers shall be in Arabic figures not less than six inches in height, provided that where the county registry number is displayed in a similar manner, it will be deemed sufficient for the purpose and two registry numbers will not be required."  No fee was to be charged for registration.

A newspaper report on June 10, 1915, mentioned that, due to the recent passage of an updated automobile ordinance which was to take effect "next week", and which required owner-provided front and rear plates with 6-inch-tall numbers, a problem had developed with owners trying to procure new numbers.  Many owners who were scrambling to purchase newly-required front plates discovered that none of the numbers offered by any of the automotive accessories dealers in the city, aluminum, enamel or otherwise, were of the correct size.  The 6-inch height was fine, but the width was 2 inches instead of the specified 3.  City officials were considering amending the ordinance to read "approximately 3 inches"!

Laredo (14,855)

A Laredo Weekly Times article on March 6, 1910, mentions that numbers 1 through 7 have already been issued under a recently adopted ordinance which required a $2.50 fee to the city secretary.  Another ordinance, passed on December 7, 1915, and effective January 1, 1916, prohibited owners from selling or disposing of their automobile number.

Marshall (11,452)

On May 10, 1911, the Marshall Messenger reported that "The automobile ordinance was...passed with the emergency clause.  The ordinance required...that a number shall be placed on the car..."

McKinney (4,714)

The Courier-Gazette stated on June 19, 1907, that "The regular monthly meeting of the city council was held last night, when, owing to the large number of automobiles that have recently been received in McKinney, it was deemed necessary to pass an automobile ordinance.  The new ordinance adopted provides that every automobile in the city shall be numbered on the front or back and both sides, the numbers to be obtained from the city secretary, who shall record them..."

San Antonio (96,614)

City registration began on August 15, 1904.  #10 was the lowest number issued and #13 was not assigned.  58 automobiles were registered in 1904, reaching #68.  When #113 was issued on July 31, 1906, the assignee elected to use #13 instead.  An August 20, 1904, news article in the San Antonio Daily Express describes motorists' dissatisfaction with having to pay the city 37c each for 6-inch-tall numbers while identical numbers were available from any supply house for only 11c each.  "If the numbers are not purchased from the city, they are not registered at the city hall."  This implies that city-issued numbers were to be displayed on an owner-provided background as of 1904.

A listing of the city's expenditures for September, October and November of 1904, published in the San Antonio Light on December 28, 1904, includes the following entry:

      "Nov. 5 F. Nagel, for 68 automobile numbers, Oct. 11, '04 $17.00"

At 25 cents each, this expense implies digits only and not fully-made license plates.

An amended ordinance was passed on June 25, 1906, requiring front and rear license plates;  it is probable that city-issued full plates started at this time, as such plates are known to have been provided by the city as of August 1907.  367 plates were issued in 1909, while 42 were issued in January 1910.  As of March 6, 1910, 789 plates had been issued, with numbers now up to #799, and non-residents were allowed 7 days before having to register.  New plates ordered in 1915 had thinner numbers, but they still remained 6 inches tall.  This may have been the point where 5-digit numbers began.  A San Antonio Light article on October 31, 1916, lists "Auto Licenses" issued from #10846 to #10857, but it is not clear if they are city numbers or Bexar County numbers, which were also in the low 5-digit range.  A 1916 "Auto For Hire" plate has also been reported.

Victoria (3,673)

An ordinance was passed on March 12, 1907, for speed limits only.  There were six automobiles in the city at that point in time.  This was quickly followed by another law, announced in the Houston Post on May 22, 1907:  "VICTORIA, Texas, May 20 - The city council last night passed an automobile ordinance...Owners of machines will be required to register the same..."

Another ordinance, passed on October 30, 1916, required registration with the city secretary at no cost, and display of a rear plate which may have been the already-required county plate, since a second plate was not required.

Wichita Falls (8,200)

An article in the Wichita Falls Daily Times on October 2, 1915, stated that "Enforcement of the provision in the traffic ordinance requiring automobile owners in the city to register their numbers with the tax collector at the city hall where on payment of a fee of one dollar a letter 'C' is furnished to be attached to the number board, began this morning."  We assume that "C" stood for "city", but the meaning was not defined.