Archive for the ‘history’ Category
June 10, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
Supervisors in Unity Twp., near Latrobe, Pennsylvania, have approved the demolition of the Hi-Way Drive-In Theater and its replacement by a CVS pharmacy. The outdoor theater is a beloved icon along the Lincoln Highway/U.S. 30.
Residents and drive-in fans tried protesting in recent months that the 51-year-old theater was popular with families, had a minimal or even pleasing impact on the landscape, and that CVS has a pharmacy less than a mile away at Mountain Laurel Plaza along Route 30. Nonetheless, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the screens and equipment will be razed, and construction will begin later this summer as soon as permits are issued.
“This isn’t anything against CVS … this is about taking a piece of our history for no apparent reason,” said Cindy Yutzy of Latrobe, adding that she believes that CVS could have found other land to purchase for a new pharmacy. “This is a piece of our history and, slowly, every piece of our history is going bye-bye because of big business.”
But landowner Richard Ridilla “wrote a letter to township officials indicating that, regardless of the outcome of the township’s negotiations with CVS, the drive-in and flea market would no longer be in operation” due to it not making a profit in recent year.
Check out the website while you can at www.hiwaydriveinlatrobe.com/.
Tags:drive-in theater, highway history, historic highway, Latrobe PA, Lincoln Highway, PA, pharmacy replacing history
Posted in film/video, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, roadside, travel | 7 Comments »
May 20, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
A constant stream of Lincoln Highway memorabilia shows up on eBay, less so on craigslist. But here’s a sign from the Lincoln Highway Garage that was on Rt. 462 in York that advertised the LH Restaurant inside. The station is long gone, replaced by a Turkey Hill store that pays homoage to the old place, but this souvenir has survived.
Lear more at http://lancaster.craigslist.org/atq/2384874181.html
Tags:highway history, historic highway, Lincoln Highway, PA, restaurant sign, York PA
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, signs, souvenirs, travel | Leave a Comment »
May 5, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
Fellow roadtripper Denny Gibson visited the Ohio Lincoln Highway League’s meeting last Saturday in Ashalnd Ohio. As always, he documented it with great photos. Click the link to start on the second day, then follow along as he takes the Lincoln Highway through Mansfield and westward. www.dennygibson.com
Tags:Ashland OH, brick roadways, cigars for highway, Denny Gibson, highway history, historic highway, Lincoln Highway, Ohio, roadside monument
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, roadside, travel | Leave a Comment »
May 4, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
Rumors continue to swirl around the Hi-Way Drive-In Theater along the Lincoln Highway east of Pittsburgh in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The most likely fate is that drugstore chain CVS is buying the land to open a store. Perhaps the only delay now is assuring all permits proceed.
One post on the drive-in’s Facebook page listed a response from CVS:
CVS has outgrown the current store location in Latrobe and we need to relocate to a site that will be more convenient and accessible for our customers, which is why we are moving to a larger location on Rt. 30. According to the current property owners, the drive-in is being closed for financial reasons whether or not CVS moves to this site. We look forward to providing the Latrobe community with improved pharmacy services when we open our new store next year.
UPDATE: An article ran a week before this post in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Tags:drive-in theater, highway history, historic highway, Latrobe PA, Lincoln Highway, PA, roadside attraction
Posted in film/video, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, roadside | 4 Comments »
April 26, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
Jeff Blair has been walking the Lincoln Highway across Indiana to promote the highway but also asking for pledges of support to be split evenly between the Alzheimer’s Association in Indiana and the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association. He has reported on his walk daily since he headed west from the Ohio border on April 14. His blog at www.blairwalk.com/daily-blog is a fun read and many await his daily updates. As he nears the completion, just yesterday he wrote:
I can tell we are tiring …the decibel level of groaning when we climb out of the car to check in to a new motel rises each day. But we eat a good meal, get a good night’s sleep, and everyone is ready to go again the next day.
Jan and Bill Arick walked with Jeff a couple days, as many others have. Jan wrote, “The success of this walk is an incredible story and Bill and I have been honored to be part of it. Crowds and school kids have been turning out along the route. Mayors are walking and holding dedication ceremonies! People are stopping along the road and handing Jeff donations! It’s so neat to see the support for Jeff’s efforts.”
Here are some photos from Jeff’s blog, starting with a Lincoln Highway sign near Townley; New Haven City Hall; the Bonnie Doon in Mishawaka; B&J’s American Cafe in LaPorte; and making the turn at Oak Knoll.
Tags:highway history, historic highway, Indiana, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, roadside, walking for a purpose
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, roadside, signs, transportation, travel | 1 Comment »
April 20, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
The 19th annual Lincoln Highway Association conference will take place June 20–24 at Stateline, Nevada, on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. The host hotel is Harrah’s Lake Tahoe (along with with Harvey’s), where you will register for the conference, browse the book room, enjoy the Opening Night Banquet, attend the Thursday program lectures, and celebrate the end of a great conference with Friday’s Continental Breakfast Buffet.
Paul Gilger, conference committee co-chair, sent a report from a planning meeting held Saturday at Harrah’s. Among the 20 committee members attending from Nevada and California were Jim and Lani Bonar at head of table, Bob Dieterich to Lani’s left, Geno Oliver 3rd from right, Bob Chase front left, with Paul taking the photo.
The group took a tram up Heavenly Mountain to visit Lakeview Lodge, site of the awards banquet.
Paul took a telephoto shot of the conference hotels: Harveys at left, Harrah’s behind tree at right, and the Lincoln Highway between them.
And then a shot of the Rainbow Bridge at Donner Pass.
Tags:California, highway history, historic highway, Lake Tahoe., Lincoln Highway, Nevada, snowy photos, travel
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, lodging, Road trip, transportation, travel | Leave a Comment »
April 15, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition unveiled its newest mural on April, 13, 2011, at 810 Main Street in Ashton, Illinois. The Coalition’s murals will soon be found in more than two dozen communities along the 179-mile National Scenic Byway corridor across the northern tier of the state.
The Lincoln Highway Coalition collaborated with Ashton Mayor John Martinez and Village Clerk Sharon Van Dam to develop the theme with designer Jay Allen, President of ShawCraft Sign Company. Ashton’s mural recalls the town’s 1921 Pavement Jubilee, a two-day celebration honoring the newly paved section of the Lincoln Highway and the town’s new electric streetlights.
For more information on the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition — places to see, things to do, festivals, special events, highway history and stories or to download a free ILHC Visitor Guide — go to www.drivelincolnhighway.com/
Tags:Ashton IL, highway history, historic highway, Illinois, Lincoln Highway, mural for highway
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, roadside, souvenirs, transportation, travel | Leave a Comment »
April 12, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
LHA director for Indiana Jeff Blair will be walking the Lincoln Highway across the state starting this Thursday, April 14. The walk will start at the Ohio border and for two weeks head west over the 170 miles to Illinois. He is asking for pledges of support or donations that will be split evenly between the Alzheimer’s Association in Indiana and the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association. Follow his blog at www.blairwalk.com or contact him at jeffblair87@gmail.com or (574) 453-3158.
Jeff says he’s looking forward to seeing some of the old buildings, businesses, and Midwest scenery along the original 1913 route and posting photos on his blog:
Also, I want to celebrate my 63rd birthday by walking the 170 mile distance over 2 weeks just to prove I still can. I have driven 2/3 of the coast-to-coast route over the past two years and only the Wyoming to San Francisco drive remains. About 3 years ago I also got interested in Alzheimer’s as my father in law (Leo Radkey) was deteriorating physically and mentally.
Join Jeff at a stop or walk along a while. Here’s a general schedule:
April 14 – OH/IN border to New Haven (11 miles)
April 15 – New Haven to Ft Wayne (11 miles)
April 16 – Ft Wayne to Churubusco (11 miles)
April 17 – Churubusco to Kimmel (15 miles)
April 18 – Kimmel to W. of Ligonier (13 miles)
April 19 – W. of Ligonier to Goshen (13 miles)
April 20 – Goshen to Mishawaka (17 miles)
April 21 – Mishawaka to South Bend (11 miles)
April 22 – South Bend to New Carlisle (11 miles)
April 23 – New Carlisle to La Porte (12 miles)
April 24 – La Porte to Westville (12 miles)
April 25 – Westville to Valparaiso (11 miles)
April 26 – Valparaiso to Schereville (13 miles)
April 27 – Schereville to IN/IL border (10 miles)
Tags:Alzheimer’s Association fund-raising, highway history, highway walking journey, historic highway, Illinois, Indiana, Lincoln Highway, Ohio
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, transportation, travel | 2 Comments »
April 5, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
Tom Neely, a songwriter and music teacher in the Lincoln Highway town of Dublin, California (just south of San Francisco) has been writing and performing music most of his life. After seeing Rick Sebak’s Lincoln Highway show on PBS, Tom was inspired to write a song about the joys of the open road: “it seemed like an easy metaphor for freedom. The lyrics, to be honest, wrote themselves.” Tom says he and his wife “plan to drive it with our kids some time. We love nothing more than throwing our kids in the back seat and following our noses.”
Listen to Tom’s bluesy tune “Endless Highway” or download an mp3 for free:
www.mp3unsigned.com/Tom_Neely#Endless+Highway
Tags:blues song, highway song, historic highway, Lincoln Highway, music, Road trip
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, roadside, travel | 1 Comment »
March 22, 2011
LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS IS A BLOG BY BRIAN BUTKO
Plans are underway to create a ‘gateway park” in Plainfield, Illinois, at the crossroads of the Lincoln Highway and Route 66 — now US 30 and SR 159. The Plainfield Patch reports that “Michael Bortell told the Plainfield Village Board Monday that he plans to apply for a $5,000 matching grant from the National Park Service to fund a redevelopment study for the .925-acre site, which is one of the most historic in the village.” A gas station at the triangle-shaped property was removed last year when Illinois 59 was widened. The historically significant Corbin-Bingham-Worst house would become a visitors center with parking and park land. Another house and two garages would be demolished.
Bortell says the project:
would not only celebrate the only place in the country where two of the most famous cross-county roads intersect but would preserve the land on which the village’s first industrial business, the Dillman Foundry, was built in 1848.”
As for the house, it belonged to one of the first families to settle in Plainfield within the first 20 years of the town’s establishment and was home to Plainfield’s second doctor, Oliver J. Corbin.
Bortell admits that part of his motivation is to keep yet another historic house from being torn down, with nothing built in its place.
Note that another crossroads of the two famous highways can be found in Joliet, Illinois.
Photo by Bill and Karen McKibbon from their excellent travel blog billstraveljournal.blogspot.com/.
Tags:highway history, historic highway, Illinois, Lincoln Highway, Plainfield IL, Route 66
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, transportation, travel | 1 Comment »
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