Sunday Historic Cruise Down Lincoln Highway
Okay, so cruises are fun, but we had already done one of those. I needed something new and different that would still be fun. Dean Hoffmann came to my rescue with the idea for an historic cruise down the old Lincoln Highway. For those of you not in the know, the Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental highway in this country. It began in 1915 and had several changes over the years. The success of this road changed the way people traveled and was the precursor to our current Interstate system. To quote the Lincoln Highway Iowa Map Pack "The road was such a success that a trip tahat had taken 30-90 days prior to 1913, was made in just over 6 days in 1915." Our cruise took us through the Story and Marshall county portions of the highway as it existed in the 1920s and 30s. I did a CD that worked for most people to narrate some of the sights along the way. It was something different and fun. Let's see if I can use these pictures to bring those who couldn't make the trip along with us this time...
From the 1924 publication of the Lincoln Highway Guide "The Lincoln Highway tourist crossing the state of Iowa will travel through one of the richest rural communities in the world. A trip by motor car across the state during the summer months is a revelation of the productive possibilities and agricultural resources of this wonderful "garden state" of the Union. The Lincoln Highway across Iowa traverses a gently rolling open country, a beautiful and interesting drive."
11 of us stayed for the Sunday Drive. I was leading in Leia's RS3.0 for a change. That's Brett right behind me as we leave Ames with nothing but the Highway in front of us.
You can just see a blur of yellow and green in this one out the back window of Leia's ride. That's Jason bringing up the tail in the Juice'd xB.
As we pull into Nevada, IA we pass the large granite welcome signs which proclaim Nevada to be the home of "Lincoln Highway Days".
Downtown Nevada is a neat historic area and home of the Dyer-Dowell Historical House, the first Jail in Story County!
The train tracks parallel the Lincoln Highway for most of its journey through Iowa. They cross at an overpass just outside of Nevada.
Leaving Nevada and heading toward Colo, IA.
Colo houses Niland Corner, a grouping of cabins and a Cafe which stands at the intersection of the Jefferson and Lincoln Highways. The Jefferson Highway runs from Winnipeg to New Orleans and here you can see part of the cloverleaf that joins the two. Just up the road is one of the first freeway overpass in the United States.
Brett is very excited to be crossing the Jefferson Highway. It's his favorite historic highway that runs North/South.
Elyce and Cass follow us into State Center, IA as we cross the county line into Marshall County. State Center is not only the geographic center of Iowa, it is also the rose capital of Iowa.
The roses weren't blooming, so here's another picture of the Scions.
Out of State Center and on the way to Marshalltown. At this point we are actually traveling the original Lincoln Highway route from 1915.
Ah, the aforementioned "rolling country".
The Lincoln Highway stretches out in front of us on the way to Marshalltown. I'm glad I'm not in a Model T.
Snaking our way into Marshalltown.
This is historic downtown Marshalltown, IA. Many of the shops in this downtown have been in business since the Lincoln Highway was first built.
Willard's is one of those businesses.
This is the magnificent Marshall County Courthouse built in the 1880s and restored in the 1970s to its former glory.
You can see the ghost signs from old advertising on the sides of the buildings as we weave the downtown.
Down 3rd St. we see Taylor's Maid Rite. This is the first Maid Rite store and will ship a sandwich anywhere in the world. We rolled in for lunch after the cruise.
We ended our trip at the Lennox Heating and Cooling factory which incorporated in 1904. It was great having everybody try the ride out and it was my pleasure to have you all in Iowa. We'll see you again soon!