How Hibbing became the birthplace of Greyhound and the bus industry

HIBBING, Minn. —  For decades people crossed the country by Greyhound bus to see family. More than a century later, it’s still an option. Greyhound history began in Hibbing.
The Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing presents the history, dating back 110 years to a seven-seater and an enterprising Swedish salesman Carl Wickman.
“They couldn’t sell the car (the Hupmobile) so they started giving rides and charging people,” museum executive director Ron Dicklich said.
Created out of necessity, it began by transporting miners on Minnesota’s Iron Range, paying 15 cents a ride. The name of the recognized running dog would come in the late 1920s.
“People commented that as they go down the road they look like a sleek greyhound,” Dicklich said.
It evolved into the largest intercity bus company, affordably connecting families across the country. 
“It was tough to get any place, but the buses went every place,” Dicklich said. “All kinds of people (were taking the bus). Women with little kids, older people, guys that were going someplace or maybe trying to connect with a new job.”
Operations manager Jon Beckstrom showed how the buses moved from a wood frame to metal, went from using gas to diesel and how buses changed on the inside.
“Creature feature comfort basically. Better seating, better riding,” Beckstrom said.
During wartime, Greyhound transported soldiers between home and bases. It moved Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights Movement.
“There is so much history that is here for the taking, that we can’t take for granted. It’s part of America, and it will always be as far as I’m concerned,” Beckstrom said.
Their time on the road is meaningful to former drivers, mechanics and depot workers. They meet each month in the Twin Cities to reminisce. For some, getting behind the wheel is in their blood.
“My dad drove, started in 1945 after World War II,” Steve Kenney said.
The Kenney brothers followed in his footsteps.
“I can drive these highways in my mind pretty much yet,” Jerry Kenney said.
Employees were gone for days and weeks at a time.
“You lived and breathed Greyhound. You never planned on being home during the holidays,” Al Conquist said. 
There was a dedication to the bus line, and it’s the reason this group has met for over 30 years.
“It’s a way to hang on to something that you really believed in,” Jim Hesselgrave said. 
As cars became more prevalent and air travel took off, Greyhound struggled. It weathered strikes and bankruptcy. Smaller hubs disappeared. 
Today it serves 1,800 locations across North America and 12 million passengers a year.
It’s a story Gene Nicolelli Junior’s late father felt needed telling, and so he created the museum.
“My father, who was always into history, especially Americana. And so he said, ‘You know this is interesting. How come nobody’s telling the story?’ And that’s really where it kind of started,” Nicolelli said. 
His childhood memories are aboard the flagship of the fleet, the Scenic Cruiser. 
“It’s up higher than the normal buses were, so you can look down and look out and see all the landscape,” Nicolelli said.
It’s the lasting legacy of Greyhound on display at the museum, along with his dad’s dedication to the bus line, Nicolelli hopes people remember.
“I’m happy to know that this museum is still going strong after my father passed away and that people still want to see where Greyhound started,” Nicolelli said.
The museum will celebrate 110 years of Greyhound and 25 years since the museum’s opening on September 21. Click here to learn more.