September 4, 2009
I recently talked with Olga Herbert, director of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, about how the Ship Hotel constantly struggled with people stopping to take photos or use the restrooms but not buy anything. Costs to just stay open, let alone provide services, are a huge problem for roadside businesses. Olga adds:
I hear that all the time from Dunkle’s Gulf and Lincoln Motor Court. People love to stop for a snapshot, but then get gas at the BP and check into the Hampton Inn. In an effort to get more (and a younger Lincoln Highway fan base) we have begun a LHHC geocache. One of the sites is at Lincoln Motor Court. Geocachers and the Altizers [who own the motel] really enjoy it; feedback is posted on http://www.geocaching.com. It appears many have driven by Lincoln Motor Court and always wondered about it. Now they are stopping, meeting the Altizers and checking the place out. Hopefully, it will turn some adventure seekers into Motor Court guests.
There are a number of geocaches along the LH such as at the restored Coffee Pot nearby. Learn more about the motor court one HERE.
A couple first-person reports came in recently. First was a reader’s reply to this blog from Bonnie Metzler:
Just visited there 8/7/09. Loaded with nostalgic charm and spotless! Glass doorknobs, vintage lace curtains and bedspreads-SIX pillows on my bed and bedside plate of mints. Windowbox full of flowers, complete with friendly owner critters-cat came in to nosey around my cottage! Old fashioned tile bath w/porcelain fixtures and fabulous old wooden window. Cable TV, microwave, mini frig, and coffee pot plus glass mugs. Only drawback was Route 30 is noisy even late night if you sleep light. Will find a reason to return! Owners were friendly and accommodating!
Also, NY LHA Director Jerry Peppers writes:
We just stayed overnight in Bedford at the Lincoln Motor Court. The LMC is a true 1920s era experience, including the Altizer’s 1920s era hospitality. The cozy cabins are tastefully updated but the quality of construction from that era is still very apparent. Don’t worry about the lack of air conditioning, even in mid-August. The crisp mountain air had us scrambling to get under a blanket!
We also ate at the Jean Bonnett Tavern and saw Dunkle’s Gulf, which are in your book. Bedford has street concerts Friday nights in the summer in the center of town; you lose sight sometimes just how friendly people are. After visiting Sue’s hometown in Ohio we picked up the LH in East Liverpool and drove it, including Cindell Street, to Canton. We stopped at the Hot Dog Shoppe in East Liverpool and the Steel Trolley Diner in Lisbon (both in your book) and at Bob Lichty’s auto showroom in Canton. I have autographs in your book from the places where we stopped.
Tags: Bedford PA, cabin court, classic motel, Lincoln Highway, motor court, PA travel
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, lodging, Road trip, roadside, travel | 2 Comments »
September 2, 2009
From Oh My News comes a series of reports by David McLane documenting life in small towns along four major highways in the US. First was US 95 from Mexico to Canada, then south on US 395 from Canada near Laurier, Washington, then merging with I-15 near Hesperia, California (at one time it went all the way to Mexican border near San Diego and was called the “Three Flags Highway”). The third section of the journey is the Lincoln Highway, then wrapping up with US 60 starting at Virginia Beach.
To get to San Francisco, they went north through the central valley of California and Weedpatch, made famous by John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath.” This report ends when they reach “the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, the west end of the Lincoln Highway”:
english.ohmynews.com/.
Now they’re on their way driving eastward: english.ohmynews.com/. Click at the end of each article to see the two reports since this one. You’ll find some interesting observations about life along the road, and some cool photos too.
Tags: California, highway history, Lincoln Highway, Oh My News, reporting on life along the road, San Francisco, trailer travel, travel
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, transportation, travel | 1 Comment »
September 1, 2009
A new travel column at San Fransico’s examiner.com features the Lincoln Highway‘s Western Terminus marker and maps out a trip across California and Nevada.
Tags: California, highway marker, Lincoln Highway, Nevada, travel, vacation
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, signs, transportation, travel | Leave a Comment »
August 31, 2009
An interpretive gazebo will be constructed along the LH in Plainfield, Illinois, this fall. According to the Joliet Herald News,
The gazebo, one of 16 the coalition is building in participating communities, will be near Village Hall on the south side of Lockport Street. The coalition plans to use federal grant money to build the gazebos statewide along Lincoln Highway, once known as “the most famous road in America.” The village chipped in $3,080, 20 percent of the gazebo’s cost.
The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition, which Plainfield joined in 2006, has been marketing the 179-mile route for more than 10 years. The group counts 34 towns along its Lincoln Highway corridor, which means all aren;t exactly on the route, such Frankfort, Mokena, Joliet, New Lenox, Aurora, and Oswego.
Besides the gazebo for Plainfield, a committee is working with an artist to design a mural that will be painted on a local building along Lincoln Highway. This will likely depict U.S. Grant Blakely, former publisher and owner of the Plainfield Enterprise newspaper who was instrumental in getting Lincoln Highway routed through Plainfield, as well as several prominent local historic buildings, Schwarz said.
For more information about the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition, visit www.drive lincolnhighway.com/.
Tags: highway history, Illinois, interpretive gazeno, Lincoln Highway, marking an old highway
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, roadside, signs, transportation, travel | 2 Comments »
August 28, 2009
As Denny Gibson climbed the Sierra Nevadas a couple days ago he wondered if he should or could access Kings Canyon Road, a sometimes steep climb between Carson City, Nevada, and Lake Tahoe to the west. Once suburban King Street ends, there are 9 miles of westbound climbing. The total gain is 1,800 feet, but the worst of it is the first two miles. Here’s my view of the eastern start:
An 1860s toll road, it became part of the LH in 1913 (improvements led it to be called called Ostermann’s Grade for LHA’s Henry Ostermann). It was bypassed by US 50 and the old road deteriorated; it was in rough shape when people began rediscovering the LH. It’s obviously been improved in recent years as hikers and bikers take to it. ATVs and jeeps share the road but it’s not recommended for regular-clearance vehicles. This article describes the condition: We couldn’t go too far up the mountain though; the road is no longer maintained, and at one point higher in the mountains, the road has washed away. An old truck lays in the valley below as if it had fallen off the cliff.”
As this article says, “Almost all freight, clothing, pots, pans, food stuffs and lumber came to Carson City by way of this road. If you wanted to visit family in California or spend a vacation at the Lake, this was how you went.”
Here’s a site that makes KCR look stunning but, they’re on bikes.
http://www.bikecarson.com/2008/06/24/kings-canyon-to-ash-canyon-loop/
This site says “Climbing from 5400ft above Carson City to 7000ft at Spooner Summit, Kings Canyon is no slouch for elevation gain. Most of the gain takes place in the first 3 miles of the climb, so expect to get the worst over quickly.”
The road is hard-packed dirt and rock, with very few sandy spots along the first 3 miles. During this time, the grade is fairly steep, giving the rider a good aerobic workout. After a couple switchbacks, the road contours along the hillside and makes for a small saddle, which marks the end of the steep climb and the beginning of the longer, easier gradient. The road stays pretty much on contour for the next 5 miles, with very minor dips. A few hundred feet below through the pine trees is Highway 50 to Spooner summit, but traffic noise is almost non-existent. Depending on the season, there are a few sandy spots along this section, but nothing serious. The final mile includes a quick steep climb, and then you pop out just above the NDOT highway maintenance station on Spooner. Note: this road is drivable with a 4WD and high clearance, so don’t be surprised if you run across motorcycles, ATVs, and Jeeps.
Finally, here’s a link to a topo map that can be enlarged even more once yo’re there by clicking a magnifier.
Tags: bike trail, Carson City, historic highway, Kings Canyon, Lake Tahoe., Lincoln Highway, Nevada, Sierra Nevada
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, transportation, travel | Leave a Comment »
August 26, 2009
A Lincoln Highway landmark closed the past two years is set to reopen. Eagle-eyed “Loungelistener” stopped on his cross-country LH trip to photograph the giant sign for Stone’s in Marshalltown, Iowa, and noticed activity at the closed restaurant. He took this photo and reported on his blog,
As I drove around under the viaduct, I could indeed see action at the restaurant. Workmen were busily scurring around, saws and hammers sounding out. There certainly was something going on.
Indeed, the Marshalltown Times-Republican reports that new owner Steve Badger will reopen on September 1:
“It has been a challenge because starting a restaurant is a very complex process, but you hate to see something that’s been part of the community for so long disappear.”
An aroma of baked goods will add to vintage ambiance ranging from cinnamon rolls, pies and cornbread; edibles will include soups and salads, sandwiches, steaks, fresh fish and diet-conscious or vegetarian foods. A featured entree will be pan-fried chicken – cooked in cast iron skillets — served with fresh mashed potatoes and gravy.
“We’re trying to provide something for everybody,” Badger said. “It’s traditional Midwest cooking.”
And everything will be homemade…. On whether Stone’s will serve dishes reminiscent of menu favorites, Badger said one thing is certain.
“Yes, we’re going to have the pie,” he laughed. “But it might only be a half-mile high.”
Tags: food, highway history, Iowa, landmark restaurant, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown IA, Noen sign, restaurant reopening, roadside business, travel
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, signs, travel | 3 Comments »
August 25, 2009
Ohio’s Michael Hocker writes that the PGA of America’s Distinguished Service Award was presented in Minneapolis recently to PGA Life Member William Powell of East Canton, Ohio, a pioneer in diversity in the game of golf. “This is a really great unknown story — he started an integrated golf course after returning from WWII and specifically chose it to be along the Lincoln Highway.”
The PGA adds that Powell, 92, “overcame racial barriers to become the only African-American to design, build, own and operate a golf course while pioneering diversity in the game.”
“William Powell’s dream to build a golf course where players regardless of the color of their skin would be welcome was a task that he met under great duress, hardship and personal sacrifice,” said PGA of America President Jim Remy. “Yet, Mr. Powell displayed exceptional courage, grace and the finest character while persevering toward his goal of opening Clearview Golf Club….
In September 1946, while denied a G.I. Loan despite serving honorably in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Bill Powell received the financial backing of two black physicians in nearby Canton and Massillon, Ohio, to begin building a public golf course.
Clearview Golf Club remains at 8410 Lincoln Highway/Lincoln St. SE, East Canton, Ohio. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Tags: diversity, East Canton OH, golf, integration, Lincoln Highway, Minneapolis, Ohio, PGA, racial harmony
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, transportation | 1 Comment »
August 24, 2009
A week ago I reported on Denny’s Gibson’s blog but if you didn’t bother visiting it, go to dennygibson.com/lhwest09/ now and spend a half hour seeing, feeling, and tasting a trip along the Lincoln Highway westward from Illinois. Make sure you click his photos to see them bigger; here are a few.
A real heartbreaker, the Covered Wagon attraction near Kearney, Nebraska. Someone was working on the building last year, with plans to restore the wagon and oxen, but now they look worse than ever.
Here’s a great old road segment west of Medicine Bow, Wyoming. A truck used the road while Denny was there.
The pull-off has been paved and ground was recently broken for the Fisher Pass monument south of Grantsville, Utah.
Tags: coast-to-coast, highway history, Lincoln Highway, Nebraska, old motels, Road trip, roadside America, Utah, vacation, vintage attractions, Wyoming
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, roadside, transportation, travel | Leave a Comment »
August 21, 2009
The 2nd Annual Iowa Lincoln Highway Motor Tour will cross the midwestern state on August 28–30. The Friday-to-Sunday trip begins in the west at Desoto Bend and heads eastward with stops in Carroll, Jefferson, Boone, Nevada, Marshalltown, Tama, Youngville, Cedar Rapids, Mechanicsville, Lowden, and ending at Clinton. Here are some photos from the 2008 tour by Bryan Osberg.
ABOVE: Approaching the Union Pacific Bridge via old brick section of Lincoln Highway, just past Cornell College in Mt. Vernon.
ABOVE: The first stop on the second day was Youngville Cafe.
ABOVE: Lunch day 3 at the Brickstreet Station in Woodbine.
Visit the Iowa LHA page for a full itinerary and more info.
Tags: antique cars, fun weekend trip, historic highway, Iowa, Lincoln Highway, motor tour, Road trip, roads in Iowa, roadside, vacation, vintage cars on tour
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, roadside, transportation, travel | Leave a Comment »
August 20, 2009
From the Tracy Press, a story that more Historic Lincoln Highway signs are being placed in Tracy, California.
On Wednesday morning, city employee affixed a Lincoln Highway sign to a metal post on westbound Byron Road just west of Corral Hollow Road, joining three signs were on 11th Street. A second new sign was placed just east of Civic Center Drive on eastbound 11th Street. LHA member Mike Kaelin said signs will soon be placed on the Old Altamont Road between Tracy and Livermore.
LHA president Bob Dieterich adds, “The credit for this belongs to Mike. He has gotten signs installed on Mountain House, Summit Garage at Altamont Pass, and Banta Inn. He has been working with local politicians and is close to agreement for signing the entire Altamont Pass Road.”
Tags: California, historic highway, Lincoln Highway, marking an old road, signs for old road, Tracy CA
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, roadside, signs, transportation, travel | 1 Comment »
Lincoln Highway News 