Belle Valley Ohio Meteor Car Hearse Funeral Coach 1924 Real Photo Postcard

This 1924 postcard captures a specialized motor vehicle, identifiable by its Ohio license plate, likely a funeral coach or hearse, a vital component of the burgeoning funeral industry in the early 20th century. The side inscription "C. A. DYE" probably refers to an undertaker or funeral home, while "Meteor" on the spare tire cover points to the Meteor Motor Car Company, a prominent Piqua, Ohio-based coachbuilder known for converting standard automobile chassis into hearses and ambulances from the early 1910s onwards.

The development of motorized hearses marked a significant transition from horse-drawn funeral conveyances, reflecting the broader impact of automotive technology on daily life and specialized services during the 1920s. These vehicles, often built on robust chassis from manufacturers like Cadillac or Packard, demonstrated a blend of luxury, solemnity, and practical efficiency, symbolizing the professionalization and modernization of funeral customs in America.