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THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY

Dedicated in 1913, the Historic Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental road created specifically for automobiles in the United States. Stretching roughly 3,000 miles from New York City to San Francisco, the Lincoln Highway winds its way through big cities, small towns, historic communities, farmland, mountains, and some of the most interesting roadside attractions in America. For me, the Lincoln Highway isn't just a historic road—it's an invitation to get out there and explore. Around every turn, there is another story to discover, another landmark to photograph, or another little piece of roadside Americana waiting to be found. From Times Square in New York City to historic sites around Gettysburg and Valley Forge, the Lincoln Highway passes through places that have played an important role in American history. But some of the most memorable discoveries can be found far from the big cities—along Pennsylvania back roads and through small communities where the history of the highway is still part of the landscape. One of the most fascinating pieces of that history is the collection of Lincoln Highway Markers installed across the country by the Boy Scouts of America on September 1, 1928. A total of 2,436 concrete markers were placed along the route to commemorate the highway and its role in connecting America from coast to coast. Today, only a small number of these original markers remain in each state, making them a special part of the Lincoln Highway's story—and a fun challenge to track down and photograph. And then there are the things that make a Lincoln Highway road trip truly fun. Along the way you'll find colorful historic murals, roadside giants, unusual landmarks, vintage businesses, historic buildings, bridges, monuments, and plenty of classic roadside Americana. In Pennsylvania alone, the journey can lead to places such as the World's Largest Quarter, a giant pickup truck, the famous Shoe House, and many other unexpected roadside discoveries. The highway's story also includes some fascinating milestones in the development of American roads. In Illinois, for example, the Lincoln Highway was home to one of the country's earliest seedling miles—a specially constructed stretch of road demonstrating how improved paving could make automobile travel easier and more reliable. These experimental sections helped showcase what better roads could mean for the future of transportation in America. This is a project I plan to continue for years to come. There is simply too much to see in one trip—or even a dozen trips. I'm working my way along the Lincoln Highway one section at a time, searching for the historic markers, landmarks, murals, roadside attractions, communities, and forgotten pieces of history that help tell the story of this remarkable road. Some stops are famous. Others may be little more than a marker beside the road or an old building that most people drive right past. That's part of the adventure. So buckle up and come along for the ride. Through my photography, I'll be documenting the Lincoln Highway as I discover more of its history, scenery, roadside attractions, and hidden gems—from New York City to San Francisco and all the interesting places in between. The road is still out there. Let's see where it takes us next.

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CONTENTS

The Haines Shoe House, completed in the spring of 1949, a roadside attraction on the Lincoln Highway in York, Pennsylvania, USA.

THINGS TO SEE

Landmarks, attractions & roadside Americana.
Original 1928 Lincoln Highway Marker, installed by the Boy Scouts of America, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

1928 MARKERS

Finding the original 1928 Lincoln Highway Markers.
Lincoln Highway Mural on the Bison Corral Barn in Shellsburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

MURALS

Art telling the story of the highway.
The Lincoln Highway Association National Headquarters in Franklin Grove, Illinois, USA.

TOWNS & CITIES

Exploring the communities along the route.

MORE ROAD TRIPS

The Cigars and Stripes Muffler Man on historic Route 66 in Berwyn, Illinois, USA.

ROADSIDE GIANTS

The larger than life attractions of America's roadside.
Painted Route 66 sign on historic Route 66 in Ash Grove, Missouri, USA.

HISTORIC ROUTE 66

Landmarks, attractions & roadside Americana.
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