Marking the Way

 From 1917 to 1928 the Lincoln Highway went through three different types of markers before they finally came up with the idea for the fourth and final marker. These markers were:

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1) Red, White, Blue bands painted on a pole, rock, or any other convenient object

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2) Official insignia painted on poles. Stencils of the logo were sent out and locals painted the markers

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3) Enameled steel signs placed on redwood posts

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4) Finally, they settled on concrete posts with a bronze medallion depicting Lincoln’s face. This is one of over 2000 concrete signposts placed along the Lincoln Highway on September 1, 1928. It originally stood in front of the Churchill County Courthouse. Made of steel-reinforced concrete, these signs were very durable. Though many have been destroyed or moved, some still stand along the Lincoln Highway today.

Placing all of these was going to be a massive undertaking. The Association needed help.

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Boy Scouts near Ragtown Crossing Historic Marker

This help was to come from the Boy Scouts of America. In 1921, Lincoln Highway Association Field Secretary, Gael Hoag put out the suggestion for concrete posts. He called on the Boy Scouts of America to help with the project. E.S. Martin, chief of the editorial board of the Boy Scouts, replied that “the scouts were anxious to participate in such public works.”

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This patch commemorates the Boy Scout marker project. Note the depiction of the concrete pillar and the fleur-de-lis, which is used by scouting organizations worldwide and has multiple levels of meaning.

Prior to the official date, Boy Scouts across the country dug holes for the concrete posts. Then, on September 1, 1928, the troops put the posts into the ground, permanently marking the Lincoln Highway. The Fallon troop covered about 175 miles from Austin to Sparks, more than any other in the country!