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The genesis of the Lincoln Highway began when Indiana automotive pioneer Carl G. Fisher
The Lincoln Highway: coast to coast from Times Square to the Golden GateThe Lincoln Highway: coast to coast from Times Square to the Golden Gate provides an experiential trip across one of America’s famous byways. During this 3,389 miles trek across 13 states, you are introduced to the towns, monuments, diners, and personalities along the country’s first transcontinental highway. This review concentrates only on the Indiana connection. The genesis of the Lincoln Highway began when Indiana automotive pioneer Carl G. Fisher conceived his idea of “The Coast-to-Coast Rock Highway” in October 1912. The 1913 route in Indiana begins east of the settlements of Townley, Zulu, and Besancon. As the route approaches New Haven, you can follow State Route 930 today into Fort Wayne. A worthwhile stop in Fort Wayne is Cindy’s Diner at the corner of Harrison and Wayne streets. Leaving Fort Wayne, today’s travelers cross the St. Mary’s River on the original Harrison Street bridge, built in 1915. The original route follows U.S. 33 all the way to Elkhart through Churubusco, Merriam, Wolf Lake, Kimmel, Ligonier, and Goshen. In Elkhart, you can visit the Recreational Vehicle and Motor Home Hall of Fame, which celebrates the city being known as the RV manufacturing capital of the world. Traveling west out of Elkhart, U.S. 33 turns into Lincoln Way west of Osceola and flows through Mishawaka on Lincoln Way to South Bend. South Bend’s automotive heritage is celebrated at the Studebaker National Museum at 201 S. Chapin Street. Lincoln Way west turns into U.S. 20. Bendix Woods County Park is in New Carlislie, on State Route 2. The park is the former 840-acre Studebaker Proving Ground where the half-mile stand of pine trees planted in 1937 is the largest arboreal sign in the world and forms STUDEBAKER when viewed from the air. Back on U.S. 20 it merges into State Route 2 east of Rolling Prairie. Next along the route is LaPorte, Westville, and then Valparaiso. West of town, Joliet Road merges with U.S. 30 and the newer alignment of the Lincoln Highway through Deep River, Merrillville, Schererville, and Dyer. Author Michael Wallis notes that the “Lincoln is a route for travelers who hanker for the hidden places off the well-beaten tourist path….The road reflects the glorious diversity, the multifaceted heritage, indeed the exceptional genius of what America was and what it promises to be.” Wallis’ narrative and Williamson’s photography involve the reader in their trek across the Lincoln. They introduce you to various personalities like diner owners, garage operators, and lodging proprietors who add their own “spice” to the journey. Vintage photographs and postcards portray an idea of the route’s past as well as the present. The book is an excellent resource for anyone contemplating a trip across the Lincoln Highway.
Peruse The Lincoln Highway: coast to coast from Times Square to the Golden Gate at Amazon.com. Back to: Book Review – reviews of current and other auto-related books
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