Hitch-Hikers Get a Waiting Room of Their Own, 1939

Performing the role of the good Samaritan to the nation-wide fraternity of automobile hitch-hikers, the owner of a service station in Albion, Mich., established a hitchhikers’ depot hard by his row of gasoline pumps in 1939.

Nailed to a tree, a large sign visible to approaching motorists at a good distance, identifies the spot, while a painted hand, with the thumb outstretched in the traditional manner, does the spade work for tired hikers.