At the turn of the 20th century, there were virtually no paved roads outside of a city limit. By 1910 automobiles were good for a short drive as long as you didn’t stray too far. Gas stations and auto repair shops were far and few between, automobiles were simply a toy for the upper class.
The history of the Lincoln Highway officially began on September 14, 1913, with an announcement of the proposed route by industry leaders Henry B. Joy of the Packard Motor Company, Frank A. Seiberling of Goodyear Rubber, and Carl Fisher, founder of Prest-O-Lite Company, maker of car headlamps.
The first coast-to-coast route began at Times Square in New York and ended 3,389 miles westward in San Francisco.
The route of the highway was marked with red, white, and blue strips-sometimes painted on utility poles. In 1928, The Lincoln Highway, as a final tribute to Abraham Lincoln, set nearly 2,500 concrete posts by the Boy Scouts of America in cities and towns along the highway.
Two hundred and forty-one were set in Ohio, some of which can still be found along the highway yet today.
We invite you to join thousands of fellow bargain hunters on August 9, 10, and 11, for the Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sale, across the state of Ohio and right through Wayne County! Each year the Ohio Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Association has watched the number of sales rise each year and this year promises not to disappoint.
We hope you find this short history lesson beneficial as you travel the highway looking for bargains. Take notice of the buildings that were once thriving businesses, look for remains of old motor court motels, drive-in restaurants or filling stations.
We hope you enjoy traveling an important part of America’s past!
For up to the minute sale information and to learn how to join the Buy-Way Sale visit us on the web at www.historicbyway.com