Paving the Way

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This is a condensed timeline of the Lincoln Highway. Give it a click and then scroll down to files to look more closely!

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This map (c. 1915) shows the many railroad lines that people used to get around before highways

The Lincoln Highway Association’s goal was to create a free, paved highway that stretched across the country. They did this by stitching together existing paths, trails, and dirt roads. The challenge was determining which roads to use.

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Towns across America appealed for inclusion on the Lincoln Highway, but the final decision was made based on directness, distance from points of interest, and “amount and character” of support. Many were bitter at being excluded from the final route, but there continued to be overwhelming support for the project.

At left is a Letter to E.L. Fletcher of Ely, Nevada discussing business along the Lincoln Highway. You can click on the image to read the letter and its response. How do they say Ely’s geography affects travel along the Highway? Based on this letter, what did travel mean to Ely?

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In the east, the Lincoln Highway had many roads to choose from. In the west, however, often there were no roads, simply old pioneer trails and the Pony Express route. This led to some difficulties plotting out the path, as the excerpt here shows:

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The Lincoln Highway Association sought to educate the public on the benefits of a paved highway through the use of “Seedling Miles.” These were 1-3 mile stretches of concrete road placed in rural areas with the hope they would be extended in both directions. These miles were often the best quality road in that area.

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By 1924, there were multiple highways crossing the country. The Lincoln Highway is in red, with other major routes in dark blue.