More on Zero Mile Markers

Some more from Richard F. Weingoff's "Zero Milestone, Washington, DC" article.

The second convoy was to drive over the Bankhead Highway, named for Alabama politician and US Senator John Hollis Bankhead, who was a leader in early American roadbuilding. The Bankhead Highway was to connect DC with San Diego, running through most of the Southern states. Several sections of US-78, part of the old Bankhead Highway, were renamed for his son, US Representative William B. Bankhead. --from Wikipedia.


Sen. Bankhead, the oldest senator and last-surviving Civil War veteran in that august body did not attend the beginning of the second convoy. The 77-year-old senator had died shortly before it.


OTHER ZERO MARKERS

The October 1923 American Motorist Magazine had an article about problems facing early auto drivers. "Motorists are familiar with the conflicting statements of roadside markers as to distance to and from a certain city or town, all because mileage was measured from different points....With official milestones in each city and town, all disputes...can be accurately settled...."

There were several zero milestones around the country.

The Pacific Milestone was dedicated in Grant Park across from the US Grant Hotel at the western terminus of the Lee Highway.

On May 12, 1924, there was one dedicated in Nashvile, Tennessee.


The Washington, DC, milestone is in front of the National Christmas Tree when it is standing.

Nice Backdrop. --RoadDog