16 Facts About Erwin Baker

Erwin George "Cannon Ball" Baker was an American motorcycle and automobile racer and organizer in the first half of the 20th century.

Erwin Baker was famous for his record-setting point-to-point drives, in which he was paid to promote the products of various motorcycle and automobile manufacturers.

In 1908, Erwin Baker purchased an Indian motorcycle and began entering and winning local races.

Erwin Baker raced at the 1922 Indianapolis 500, placing 11th in a Frontenac.

Erwin Baker was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1981, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1989, and the American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.

Erwin Baker was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, possibly in the community of Weisburg, in 1882.

Erwin Baker took a steamer up to San Diego where he based himself for a while and from there he competed in several endurance runs in both California and Arizona.

Erwin Baker set 143 driving records from the 1910s through the 1930s.

Erwin Baker's first was set in 1914, riding coast to coast on an Indian motorcycle in 11 days.

Erwin Baker normally rode to sponsor manufacturers, guaranteeing them "no record, no money".

In 1915, Erwin Baker drove from Los Angeles to New York City in 11 days, 7 hours and fifteen minutes in a Stutz Bearcat, and the following year drove a Cadillac 8 roadster from Los Angeles to Times Square in 7 days, 11 hours, and 52 minutes, while accompanied by an Indianapolis newspaper reporter.

Erwin Baker was so impressed by the car that he purchased one thereafter.

Erwin Baker's best-remembered drive was a 1933 New York City to Los Angeles trek in a Graham-Paige model 57 Blue Streak 8, setting a 53.5 hour record that stood for 30 years until in 1964, using modern Interstate Highways, a tiny Hillman Imp crossed the country in 48 hours.

Erwin Baker died of a heart attack at Community Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 10,1960, at age 78.

Erwin Baker is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

In 2017, an Indiana state historical marker commemorating "Cannon Ball" Erwin Baker was installed by the Indiana Historical Bureau in front of Erwin Baker's home at 902 East Garfield Drive in Indianapolis.