Recent Acquisition: Fidelity Bus photos

Article by Jessica Shoemaker, Registration Assistant at the Massillon Museum. Nan McAllister Ream recently donated photos from Fidelity Motor Bus Lines, Inc. to the collection of the Massillon Museum. C.I. McAllister, Sr. chartered Fidelity Motor Bus Lines, Inc. in 1926. The initial two bus routes were laid out by McAllister and Mayor Irving Ferrell.

2014.022.19 West Park, Kendal buses in front of hotel
West Park and Kendal buses in front of a hotel
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Nan Ream (2014.022.19)

McAllister opened the first office of Fidelity in the old Arcade building on Lincoln Way W, just west of the Weslin Theater.

2014.022.12 Six men standing in front of arcade
Six men standing in front of arcade
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Nan Ream (2014.022.12)

After some time, Fidelity moved its offices to 15 Lincoln Way E, above Linde’s Women’s Apparel. During World War II, Fidelity advertised for war bonds and stamps in effort to support the war effort, and men overseas, as well as promote patriotism.

2014.022.06 Fidelity Motor Bus Lines Inc. Buy War Bonds and Stamps
Buy War Bonds & Stamps decal on Fidelity Bus, c.1946
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Nan Ream (2014.022.06)

2014.022.07 Mac & Rogers and man in front of bus_1925
Mac McAllister, Rogers, and man in front of West Park Bus
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Nan Ream (2014.022.07)

2014.022.11 Fred Ebner, Charlie Sebus, Mac, Leonard, Dallas Moritz, Meyers, & man standing in front of store
Fred Ebner, Charlie Sebus, Mac McAllister, Leonard, Dallas Moritz, and Myers
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Nan Ream (2014.022.11)

2014.022.13 Les Mason, Norm Smith, Peck Smith, Gus Heiman, & Three men standing in front of Goodyear Tires
Les Mason, Norm Smith, Peck Smith, Gus Heiman and three men in front of Goodyear Tires
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Nan Ream (2014.022.13)

In 1956, Fidelity was collecting over one million fares a year and was running seven routes. C.I. McAllister retired in 1968 and passed the business on to his son, C.I. “Mac” McAllister, Jr. By 1970, bus patronage had dropped due to an increase in private car ownership. As a result, in 1970 Fidelity reduced to four bus routes. The company cancelled its city bus line on September 30, 1970. It became a charter service traveling all over the United States, supervised by Mac McAllister. Fidelity continued to expand and became Fidelity Tours, thanks to Nanette McAllister Ream, the third generation. Fidelity Tours was acquired by US Coach Tours in 2008.