Posts Tagged ‘highway history’
January 6, 2010
Updating yesterday’s story on Brian Cassler’s efforts to deliver bricks to Nebraska, dad Jim sent this photo and info on where they came from:
The bricks were uncovered in the summer of 2007 when Tuscarawas Street (the Lincoln Hwy through downtown Canton, Ohio) was unearthed as a part of a street renovation project. Former LHA president Bob Lichty asked the city to save them to be used for a future project. When the Archway requested bricks, we were able to fill their request.
The bricks will be used for a recreated stretch of the transcontinental road at the Great Platte River Road Archway that spans I-80 near Kearney in central Nebraska. Cleaning the bricks and arranging their transport was an Eagle Scout project for Brian Cassler. Jim operates the Lincoln Highway Trading Post.
Tags:archway museum, highway history, history, I-80, Lincoln Highway, Nebraska, Ohio, preservation, roadway reproduction, transporting bricks
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, museum, Road trip, transportation, travel | 1 Comment »
December 7, 2009
Those wishing to decorate their yards, or preserve a piece of history for a local historical society, can bid on an abutment that was not only used on the Lincoln Highway but retains the porcelain plaque to prove it.
Up for auction on eBay through Wednesday is the concrete bridge abutment and marker, located in a front yard in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. The starting price of $800 has no bids yet. Here’s the description:
Lincoln Highway Concrete Bridge Abutment. It has the original Ceramic Lincoln Highway logo. It weighs approximately 800 pounds. It was removed off the last bridge on route 30 in Hancock county, Ohio in the early 1980’s. It is 33 inches in height, 13.5 inches wide and 21 inches from front to back. The ceramic logo does have several cracks in it. The cement abutment does have some cement missing from the bottom portian. The winner of the auction will have to arrange for pick up and delievery of the item.
Let’s hope it ends up somewhere not only cared-for but accessible for public enjoyment.
Tags:bridge abutment old, eBay auction LH marker, highway history, Lincoln Highway, old road marker, porcelain road marker, red white blue, Road trip
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December 4, 2009
Another new gazebo is spreading news of the Lincoln Highway in Illinois. Though the town of Oregon is not on the coast-to-coast the route, it played a part in the road’s development and history. The Ogle County News reports that officials unveiled the addition to the Ogle County Courthouse lawn with hopes that tourism dollars will follow. The image below is a screen capture from that article, and excerpts follow.
“This area draws tourists and tourism draws dollars,” said State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) during a grand opening ceremony for the structure Nov. 28. “Hopefully, tourists will stop at the gazebo and spend some time and money here.”
The gazebo is one of 16 constructed along the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway and its corridor in northern Illinois.
It was recently constructed on the northwest corner of the courthouse square, facing Ill. 64 just one block west of Ill. 2.
Bonnie Heimbach, project director for the Illinois Highway Lincoln Coalition (ILHC) said Oregon qualified for a federal grant to help construct the gazebo because the city was part of early marketing efforts soon after the coast-to-coast highway was opened in 1913.
“Oregon is not exactly on the highway, but it is mentioned as early as 1915,” said Heimbach.
The Lincoln Highway is located south of Oregon and runs east to west, through Franklin Grove and Dixon. It was the first highway in the United States to connect the east and west coasts.
Oregon and Ogle County are included in the Lincoln Highway corridor because Lorado Taft’s Black Hawk statue was part of the cover of the original promotional flyer that advertised the first all-weather transcontinental highway, said Marcia Heuer, executive director of the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce….
Each gazebo was constructed for $16,000 with a National Scenic Byway Grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). That grant provided 80 percent of the funding for each gazebo with local groups providing the remaining 20 percent.
WIFR-TV also covered the story.
Tags:highway history, Illinois history, Interpretive Gazebo, Lincoln Highway, old roads, Oregon in IL, travel
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November 3, 2009
The Shopper Online reported on the dedication of two new highway plaques honoring the Lincoln Highway’s Ideal Section between Dyer and Schererville, Indiana. Ideal Section authority Art Schweitzer says the section was “a test highway to lay groundwork for future highway construction.” Engineering of its lighting, underground wiring, expansion strips, and 10”of concrete pavement was quite advanced in its day and was to serve as a model experiment.
Speaking at Dyer was Steve Cramer, v-p of Dyer town council. Town manager Joe Neeb was unable to attend but is credited with much of the work involved in getting the approval for the plaques. The speech for Schererville marker (in the Hometown Inn parking lot) was presented by town manager Bob Volkmann.
Two awards were also presented to two members of the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association: Joyce Chambers, a retired teacher and active member of the INLHA was presented with the Teacher of the Year Award. Chambers spent three years developing a historic two week classroom curriculum about the Lincoln Highway and its history. Indiana LHA president David Hay accepted an award to the INHLA from the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana for its “Outstanding Advocacy, Organizational Planning and Development in Preserving Historic Landmarks.”
Two authors signed books afterwards: Cynthia Ogorek for “The Lincoln Highway Around Chicago” and Jan Shuper-Arick for her “The Lincoln Highway Across Indiana.”
Tags:Dyer IN, highway history, Indiana, Lincoln Highway, plaque dedication, road history, travel
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November 2, 2009
A ceremony was recently held in Rochelle, Illinois, to celebrate a new Lincoln Highway gazebo at the Rochelle Railroad Park off of Ninth Street. The gazebo is one of 16 along the Lincoln Highway in Illinois between Fulton in the west and Park Forest in the east. Stories appeared here and here.
Bonnie Heimbach, ILHC Project Director and Executive Director of the Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office, says they are an effort to interpret the stories of the highway: “These 16 gazebos represent our organization’s first ‘bricks and mortar’ project and we’re very proud of the outcome. This project will give travelers an opportunity to learn more about the Lincoln Highway as well as the community they are visiting.”
For more information on the Lincoln Highway through Illinois, including places to see, things to do, and stories of the highway’s significance and history, visit www.drivelincolnhighway.com/.
Tags:gazebo for road, highway history, history project, Interpretive Gazebo, Lincoln Highway
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, roadside, signs, transportation | 2 Comments »
October 28, 2009
The Pilot News of Marshall County, Indiana, reports that Plymouth, a town along the Lincoln Highway in central Indiana, has opened a new transportation museum that includes the famed coast-to-coast road:
A ribbon-cutting ceremony Sunday marked the culmination of the efforts of many individuals, businesses, and organizations that contributed to the expansion of the Marshall County Historical Society and Museum. Welcoming the guests for the occasion was the president of the Historical Society, Dr. Ronald Liechty. Dr. Liechty explained that the process started full steam upon receiving an INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) grant in 2005 to open a transportation museum….
Local resident Kurt Garner was among those in the audience with deep affection for the completed project. Garner was one of several who were instrumental in formulating the original concept of the Transportation Museum highlighting the crossroads of the Dixie Highway: 1915, Yellowstone Trail: 1912-1930, Grand Army of the Republic (U.S. 6): 1931-present, Lincoln Highway: 1913-1950s, and Michigan Road: 1826-1900.
Garner said, “It is a great asset to the county. The museum will be a huge draw across the state for those interested in discovering historic routes.”
The museum is located in the Lauer Building at 123 North Michigan St., Plymouth, (574) 936-2306 or visit www.mchistoricalsociety.org/. The above map of the town is from the LHA’s DeLorme road atlas package; click here to purchase your own — the 2007 version is on sale for $12.50, nearly 70% off while the 2010 edition is prepared.
Tags:highway history, Lincoln Highway, old highways, Plymouth IN, transportation museum, travel, vacation on 2-lanes
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, museum, transportation, travel | 2 Comments »
October 22, 2009
The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition announces they have 40 murals in the works, with three already being painted – Aurora, Oregon (which was not directly on the LH), and Joliet. You can email diane@drivelincolnhighway.com with questions or visit www.drivelincolnhighway.com/ for more information. Below are the plans for two of the newest.
Tags:highway history, Illinois, interpretive murals, Joliet IL, Lincoln Highway, murals, old highway
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October 16, 2009
Flickr friend loungelistener wrote to alert us that the Bon-Air Motel sign is no longer found at the abandoned property in central Ohio. It was a popular photo stop for those following the original Lincoln Highway through Williamstown. Here is an old photo from loungelistener; you can read others’ comments about his photo here.
Ohio’s Milke Buettner did some sleuthing and reports the sign was acquired by the guy who has the building on the southwest corner of the crossroads covered in old gas station signs. He adds, “In a related matter, the Eagle Creek Historical Organization will be erecting a new brick pillar at the original crossroads in Billtown (a.k.a. Williamstown) some time in 2010. I write about this is the most recent issue of Buckeye Ramblings.”
Tags:highway history, Lincoln Highway, motel, neon sign, Ohio, old neon, sign missing, Williamstown OH
Posted in highways, history, Lincoln Highway, roadside, signs | 1 Comment »
October 14, 2009
Students at 61 elementary/middle schools along the historic Lincoln Highway just received copies of The Lincoln Highway Road Trip Board Game, courtesy of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Using pewter-like game pieces (vintage gas tank, suitcase, compass, tourist cabin, postcard, and antique auto) players move along the highway beginning in Irwin. The goal is to be the first to travel 200 miles along the historic highway to Abbottstown.
A sampling of a few of the 200 question cards (answers at the end):
1) “What Lincoln Highway community had 5 trolley car companies in one town?” A. Gettysburg; B. Irwin; C. Breezewood; or D. New Oxford.”
2) “Bill’s Place once boasted to have the country’s smallest _________, which tourists often used before leaving the attraction.” A. Gift Shop; B. Bowling Alley; C. Post Office; or D. Bathroom.
3) “Name the town along the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor that you would most likely see bison roam.” A. Fayetteville. B. Schellsburg; C. Harrisonville; or D. Tatonkaville.”
LHHC summer intern Alex Gra, developed the game, which meets/exceeds PA Academic Standards for Mathematics, Science and Technology, Reading, Speaking and Listening, and History. In addition to the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, funding support was through The Sprout Fund/Pittsburgh 250/Community Connections in Pittsburgh.
A limited number of the games are available for purchase through the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor website at http://www.LHHC.org — click on Gift Shop, then Collectibles; or call the office at 724-238-9030. (Answers: B, C, B)
Tags:board game, family game, fun, heritage corridor, highway history, Lincoln Highway, PA history, Road trip
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October 12, 2009
Ohio’s Mike Buettner sent word of two signs along the Lincoln Highway that welcome drivers to Van Wert, Ohio. The sign shown below (photo by John Renock) is on the Marsh Foundation property at the east edge of Van Wert
Buettner, Ohio LHA Director, says a similar sign was erected on the Brookside Dairy property at the west edge of Van Wert:
This project was the brainchild of LHA member Larry Webb, who has accomplished more interesting Lincoln Highway tasks in his home town than any other Ohioan. Money to build the gateway signs was raised by a local group, which has asked to remain anonymous. Larry presented the idea to the “Main Street, Incorporated” group in Van Wert when he was on that committee, and they enthusiastically backed his idea, paying any bills that were not otherwise covered by donations.
The brick pillars are built to the same standards as the original pillars erected in Crawford County and other western counties of Ohio during the 1920s, and were laid up by a local bricklayer. The cement capstones were constructed from a mold fashioned by Richard Taylor of the Mid-Ohio Chapter. The “Welcome” sign was designed by a local architect. The signs were in place just in time for the annual Lincoln Highway “BuyWay” event, which according to Mike Hocker, enjoyed its best year ever.
Tags:highway history, historic highway, Lincoln Highway, Ohio roads, transcontinental road, Van Wert OH, welcome signs
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Lincoln Highway News 