Baldwin [1] (United States) - AllCarIndex

The Baldwin Automobile Company was established in Providence, Rhode Island, and operated from 1899 to 1901. The company was founded by L.F.N. Baldwin, who initially constructed a steam van for a local department store in 1896. This early venture into automotive engineering laid the groundwork for Baldwin's subsequent developments in the automotive field.

In 1899, Baldwin completed a four-seater steam car that featured a vertical two-cylinder engine and a single-chain drive. The design of this vehicle was characterized by a spidery appearance, which was typical of the era's steam-powered automobiles. Although the Baldwin Automobile Company was intended to produce this model, there is no documented evidence that production extended beyond the prototype.

After the initial efforts in Rhode Island, Baldwin moved operations to Pennsylvania, where he continued to develop the Baldwin (ii) model. However, the company ultimately ceased operations shortly thereafter, marking a brief but notable chapter in the early history of American automotive manufacturing.