Illinois' 'Horner Highway' an Early Example of Natural Beautification Along Roadways-- Part 1

From the Jan. 11, 2021, Springfield, Illinois State Journal-Register from the SangamonLink.org. Online Encyclopedia.

The Horner Highway north of Springfield was one of the first examples of roadway beautification in the United States.

Horner Highway, named for Governor Henry Horner ran along Illinois Highway 29 to the junction of  today's Illinois Highway 123 east of Athens.  Horner was governor from 1933 to his death in 1940 and was a huge fan of Abraham Lincoln, amassing quite a collection of Lincoln memorabilia. His collection was bequeathed to the people of Illinois upon his death and it has become the foundation of today's Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (right next to the Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield).

The Horner Highway was planned partly to recognize Horner's interest in Lincoln, connecting Oak Ridge Cemetery, site of Lincoln's Tomb with what is today Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site.  The road, however, between Athens and New Salem was never incorporated into the Horner Highway.

--RoadDog