The Lincoln Highway was one of the earliest transcontinental auto trails in the United States of America.
Conceived and promoted by Indiana entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California. In 1915, the “Colorado Loop” was removed, and in 1928, a realignment relocated the Lincoln Highway through the northern tip of West Virginia. Thus, there are a total of 14 states, 128 counties, and over 700 cities, towns and villages through which the highway passed at some time in its history.
The first officially recorded length of the entire Lincoln Highway in 1913 was 3,389 miles. Over the years, the road was improved and numerous realignments were made, and by 1924 the highway had been shortened to 3,142 miles. Counting the original route and all of the subsequent realignments, there is a grand total of 5,869 miles.
Most significantly, the Lincoln Highway inspired the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956, which was championed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, influenced by his experiences as a young soldier crossing the country in the 1919 Army Convoy on the Lincoln Highway. Today, Interstate 80 is the cross-country highway most closely aligned with the Lincoln Highway. In the West, particularly in Wyoming, Utah and California, sections of Interstate 80 are paved directly over alignments of the Lincoln Highway.
The Lincoln Highway Association, originally established in 1913 to plan, promote, and sign the highway, was re-formed in 1992 and is now dedicated to promoting and preserving the road.
If you are interested in learning more check out the book Divided Highways by Tom Lewis. Also, Modern Marvels (a series on the History Channel) produced a very interesting show on the highway system, titled America’s Highways. I am sure you can catch it in reruns fairly easily.
I traveled Route 66 several times but not the Lincoln Highway – at least not so I was aware of it. Fantastic historical summary and I thank you very much! I think Mr. Fisher was the man referred to in a GM vehicles sticker which said “Body by Fisher.” Of course, I could be wrong. That would surprise me, but it’s happened once or twice before! Heh, heh!
It does fascinate me! There was a PBS show about someone who drove across the country in the early auto years….I don’t remember if this was who it was about but it really grabbed my interest. I have often thought I would love to travel Rt 66 pulling a nice old Airstream:)
You always give us such a nice history lesson!
How interesting! That is a great photo of a rather understated monument to what is a mammoth achievement!
I never heard of the Lincoln Highway spanning across the nation. Very interesting! I have been on I-80 and did not even know how historical it is.
Great post! I could also equate this with the old Rte 66, don’t know the number of states it traverse, but it ends in Santa Monica Pier.
I always learn so many fascinating things when I stop by here. The great photos are icing on the cake.
I do love learning stuff like this and the image is a perfect companion to the words.
Mollyxxx
Highway “terminus”
Wow – – – you don’t hear THAT much nowadays!
Thanks for this informative post.
That is really cool! I didn’t know any of that — really good info.
Happy Sunday!
🙂
Traci
Great information, there is so much history we pass (drive) without realizing it.
I saw something about it on PBS and it is fascinating.