Who's That Picture on the Wall?

The June 12th Rockford, Illinois Register Star ran an article about the new murals and interpretive centers opening up along the 179 mile stretch of the old Lincoln Highway passing through the state.

The newest one is of etiquette guru Emily Post and is in the "Hub City" of Rochelle where she spent several days on her trip along the Lincoln Highway in 1915. She described the city as a "charming community" on what then was America's only coast to coast highway.

Illinois' stretch is part of the Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway. The old road went 3,300 miles across 12 states from New York City to San Francisco.

There are now 3 murals along the Illinois route with another 40 planned. Also, there are plans for 20 interpretive gazebos.

Bonnie Heimbach, executive director of the Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office, said: "It's a unique way to bring the story of Illinois' role to the people. With high gas prices, families are looking for unique day trips." People are getting off I-88 and I-90 "and travel into these little communities and discover the history and heritage of these places."

I should mention that signage along Illinois' Lincoln Highway is excellent. You could drive the whole thing without using a map, just follow the signs.

THE MURALS

The murals are painted on aluminum-backed foam boards and mounted on the walls of buildings. Artists like Jay Allen of Shawcraft Sign Co. are making them. Trips are made out to proposed building sites where measurements are made. Some will be more expensive and larger than others..

Jay Allen played a big role in the many murals around Belvidere, Illinois on US Highway 20, so he knows what he's talking about.

PUT ONE UP AND MORE WILL FOLLOW

Rochelle, called the "Hub City" because of the one hundred or so trains that pass through there every day (they even have a Railroad Park where you can watch them), has plans to put up six more. There is also a restored 1919 Standard Station.

The article also had a complete list of all towns which will have murals and those that will have the interpretive centers.

June 12, 2007 Rockford Register Star "Lincoln Highway gets 'Post" marked" by Bob Barker.

Keepin' on Down that Old Lincoln Highway. --RoadDog