Oct. 15, 1915 Georgia Gov. Nathaniel Harris and other city and state officials officially welcomed a group of Northern tourists participating in a Dixie Highway motorcade. The group had spent the previous night in Chattanooga, and after an afternoon visit to Rome proceeded to Atlanta. The purpose of their highly publicized visit was to promote completion of the new Dixie Highway, which when completed would allow motorists to drive from Chicago to Miami on good roads. Trailing the procession was a baggage car [see photo] that proclaimed, "600,000 Automobile Owners Are Awaiting the Completion of the Dixie Highway to See the South." Atlanta Constitution editor Clark Howell, Sr. had been a leading force in inviting such motorcades in order to stress need for better roads in Georgia. And to emphasize the importance of a good turnout, the front page of this day's issue of the Constitution sent out an appeal:

"At 4:30 o'clock this afternoon every auto owner in Atlanta is requested to meet at the Majestic hotel for the purpose of motoring in Bolton, Ga., on the Chattahoochee river, to give the tourists the greatest road reception they have received anywhere along their route."