Thinking Lincoln Highway

The May 30th Indianapolis Star had an article by James Glass about the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mr. Glass felt it wih appropriate to also think about the first US transcontinental highway which was born in Indianapolis thanks to the "Fabulous Hoosier," Carl G. Fisher, who also conceived the Motorway.

In September, 1912, he proposed to his other Indianapolis car folk, and east-west highway to take advantage of the growing popularity of the automobile. They pledged $300,000 of the anticipated $10 million for the project. The call went out to other automotive people and Henry Joy of Packard Motor Co. in Detroit came aboard and suggested the road be named after Abraham Lincoln.

In 1913, the new Lincoln Highway Association suggested a 3,300 mile route through 11 states and connecting 11 major cities, including Fort Wayne and South Bend in Indiana. Effort was made to minimize mileage, scenery, condition of existing roadage, cost of improving and building new alignments.

The Lincoln Highway in Indiana originally ran from Fort Wayne to Elkhart and South Bend and eventually to Schererville close to the Illinois border. In 1928, it was straightened. Then, Glass suggested that those interested should at end the Lincoln Highway Association convention in South Bend June 16th to 20th.

Quite a Guy, This Fisher. --RoadDog