June 2, 1963
A group of motorhome owners met up with each other at McCurdy Park in the city of Corunna, Michigan. This Sunday gathering is widely regarded as the first organized meeting of motorhome owners in the United States.
Motorhomes had grown increasingly popular nationwide. At the time, quite a few families eagerly converted large vehicles such as school and transit buses into “homes on wheels” that included cooking, sleeping, and sanitary accommodations. By the early 1960s, various businesses were manufacturing and selling their own motorhomes.
Ted Austin and Dennis McGuire coordinated the meeting in Michigan so that they and other area motorhome owners could discuss establishing a group. Attendees showed up at the park in their motorhomes by two o’clock that afternoon. An open house took place so that everyone could inspect each other’s vehicles. This was followed by a brief meeting at some nearby picnic tables.
The Argus-Press (based in this region of Michigan) reported, “The group discussed rules of the road, making reports to the secretary on good places to stay and places which cater to mobile homes.” Those in attendance agreed to call their new group the Michigan Courtesy Club, and 16 people altogether became charter members.
A Massachusetts couple named Bob and Jean Richter soon learned about the meeting in Michigan and invited those club members to join them and other motorhome owners in the northeastern part of the United States for a gathering in the village of Hinckley, Maine, the following month. A total of 26 motorhome-owning families convened there to view a solar eclipse and launch a non-profit organization that they agreed to call the Family Motor Coach Association (FCMA).
This organization has since become a major force in the recreational vehicles industry. The Michigan Courtesy Club, which renamed itself the Michigan Knights of the Highway, became an FCMA chapter in 1965. FCMA was officially renamed the Family RV Association (FMCA) in 2024 to be more inclusive of all types of recreational vehicles rather than just motorhomes.
(The accompanying photo of a 1968 Dodge Travco motorhome was taken in 2008.)
Photo Credit: Public Domain
Additional information on the 1963 meeting of motorhome owners in Michigan is available at https://michiganknights.com/history and https://magazine.frva.com/2013/07/01/fmca-celebrates-mile-marker-50/
Transportation History 
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