The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum
Mission Statement: Our Mission is to preserve the history of the towing and recovery industry, to educate the children of the world, and all of society, about said industry, and to honor those individuals who have made significant changes, and have dedicated precious time throughout our industry.
 
 
Come walk among early towing and recovery history in the International Towing & Recovery Hall Of Fame and Museum. Enjoy restored antique wreckers and equipment, industry related displays of collectible toys, tools, unique equipment, and pictorial histories of manufacturers who pioneered a worldwide industry.

Chattanooga, Tennessee, was chosen as the museum's home because the indusry's first wrecker was fabricated approximately three and a half miles away from the museum at the Ernest Holmes Company.

Automotive and history buffs alike will enjoy a tour of the nostalgic museum, located in historic downtown. The everchanging collection of tow trucks dates from the earliest days of the automobile. The museum has a variety of antique toys and memorabilia to entertain all members of your family.

If you're lucky, Museum Manager Frank Thomas will give you a personalized tour through the exhibits sharing stories from the early days of towing and recovery.

The International Towing and Recovery Museum was dedicated in the fall of 1995 and has been growing ever since. The museum is a non-profit organization. All money and exhibits come exclusively from donations, grants, and gifts from individuals and major industry corporations.

The museum hosts tour groups, school trips, and special events. It is recommended that you call 30 days in advance for reservations

 

This 1913 Locomobile with a Holmes Wrecker is owned by Bob Meyers Auto Parts & Wrecker Service in Owensville, Ohio. The 485 wrecker was completely bolted together from the factory. The Locomobile was built in Connecticut, and cost a whopping $6,000.00.
 
This 1947 GMC "bubble nose" was found in 1988 near West Bend, Wisconsin, by George Lanser of Lanser Garage & Towing in Belgium, Wisconsin. The "bubble nose" was originally purchased by the Pabst Brewery to deliver beer, and later sold to a bus company which used it to tow their buses. The company abandoned the truck when a water pump failed and they couldn't find one to replace it. George searched for two years before he found one that could be machined to fit.
 

Ford with a Holmes 515 & 540 Cradle from Whealon's in Wisconsin.

 
The Museum has a collection of antique toy trucks which date back to the early 1900s. Each has a characteristic and a realism that reflects the history of the towing and recovery industry around the world. Children of all ages will be entertained, and adults will find themselves flashing back to their childhood memories.