The Humble Origins of the "Hitch Hiker's Depot"

TL;DR
In 1939, the owner of a gas station in Albion, Michigan set up a waiting bench for hitchhikers with a sign above it to let passing cars know where they could pick up someone waiting to hitch a ride. The photo of three women waiting patiently with suitcases is an incredible piece of history, although the attitude towards hitchhiking has changed for good reason.
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