Eureka [1] (United States) - AllCarIndex

Eureka Automobile & Transportation Company was established in San Francisco, California, during the late 19th century, specifically between 1899 and 1900. The company was founded by J.M. Ough and George Waltenbaugh, who designed and built the first vehicle to carry the Eureka name. This initial model was a four-seater surrey, powered by a rear-mounted 10 horsepower three-cylinder horizontal engine. It featured four forward speeds, a single-chain final drive, a vertical steering column, and solid tires, achieving a top speed of 30 mph (48 km/h). However, the manufacturers acknowledged that this speed was excessive for the typical roads in California at the time.

Eureka aimed to produce a diverse range of vehicles, including cars, delivery wagons, and trucks, from a planned large factory. Unfortunately, the company never realized this ambition, largely due to the untimely death of Charles L. Fair, one of the partners and Ough's employer, who died in a racing accident in Europe. This event significantly impacted the company's prospects, leading to its eventual decline.