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lincoln highway Highlights

Here are just SOME highlights along the Lincoln Highway between New York City and San Francisco, including things to see and some places to eat and sleep. Despite its length, I really am trying to keep the list short and manageable, so you'll find lots more to discover as you travel. Listing, of course, is not an endorsement. Listings are the extent of my knowledge, search online for further information.

* Note the list is still IN PROGRESS and NOT COMPLETE for UT, NV, and CA *

NEW YORK

TIMES SQUARE, 42nd St @ 7th and Broadway, the LH's eastern terminus.

STREET SIGN, for Lincoln Highway, Times Square.

THEATER ROW, 42nd Street.

FERRY TERMINAL, original at 42nd, now 39th St, for crossing Hudson River to New Jersey.

HOLLAND TUNNEL, LH route moved here starting 1928.

NEW JERSEY

FERRY TERMINAL, Port Imperial/Weehawken.

LINCOLN STATUE, Jersey City, by Fraser, 1930.

LINCOLN STATUE, Newark, by Borglum, 1911.

MEMORIAL TOWER, Edison, site of Menlo Park lab.

STONE ARCH BRIDGE, Kingston.

GEO WASHINGTON BATTLE MONUMENT, Princeton.

WARREN STREET BRIDGE, Delaware River, large 1935 letters "Trenton Makes, The World Takes."

CALHOUN STREET BRIDGE, Delaware River, iron bridge built 1884, 15 mph speed limit.

PENNSYLVANIA

STATE LINE MARKER, Delaware River, cast iron, 1917 shows LH directions, end of Calhoun St. Bridge.

LINCOLN MOTEL, Trevose, vintage neon sign, at city line.

STONE BRIDGE, Trevose, behind Lincoln Motel in woods, 1805, from early turnpike.

INDEPENDENCE HALL & LIBERTY BELL, Philadelphia, 6th St @ Chestnut.

FRAZER DINER, Fraser, 1935 O’Mahony-brand diner (NOTE: they discourage photo-taking).

DUTCH HAVEN, Ronks, roadside attraction selling shoo-fly pie, windmill on roof.

HALLAM, Haines Shoe House

ORRTANNA, Mister Ed's Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium

GETTYSBURG, Gettysburg Hotel, on the square

BEDFORD, Coffee Pot cafe, display-only

BEDFORD, Dunkle's art deco Gulf Station — fill up your tank! (temproarily closed)

W OF BEDFORD, Jean Bonnet Tavern, 1760s landmark, lodging too.

MANN'S CHOICE, Lincoln Motor Court — last cabin court on the entire LH!

LIGONIER, restored "diamond" aka town square.

GLENFIELD, yellow brick road paving.

WEST VIRGINIA

CHESTER, World's Largest Teapot, display-only.

CHESTER, Frank's Pastry Shop, 1952

CHESTER, three 1928 LHA concrete posts.

NEWELL, west of LH, 1907 iron toll bridge.

NEWELL, west of LH, Homer Laughlin China, makers of Fiesta Ware, factory outlet store.

OHIO

EAST LIVERPOOL, Museum of Ceramics.

LISBON, Steel Trolley Diner (currently closed)

HANOVERTON, Spread Eagle Tavern and Inn, built 1837 with 11 rooms and 12 fireplaces + Rathskeller

MINERVA, Kishman's gas station with President Lincoln graphics.

MINERVA, Palmantiers Motel, restored vintage lodging, across from brick stretch.

E of CANTON, Baywood Street, long stretch of brick paving.
MASSILLON, Chase Motel.

MASSILLON, Country Motel.

ORRVILLE, Shisler's Cheese House.

ORRVILLE, J. M. Smucker Company Company Store & Cafe.

ORRVILLE, Royal Star Inn, family-run motel.

E OF BUCYRUS, Hopley LH Monument.

LIMA, Kewpee Hamburgers.

E OF VAN WERT, Van-Del Drive-In Theater.

VAN WERT, Fountain Inn, two-story 1950s motel.

INDIANA

FORT WAYNE, Knotty Pine Motel, old fashioned home and connected cabins.

FORT WAYNE, restored iron Wells St Bridge (no traffic) and parallel 1915 concrete Harrison St Bridge

GOSHEN, Goshen Motor Inn, 1950s motel

GOSHEN, 1939 concrete deco police booth

GOSHEN, Olympia Candy Kitchen, chocolates and soda fountain

MISHAWAKA, Bonnie Doon drive-in restaurant

W of SOUTH BEND, Kenrose Motel, brick 1950s motel

ROLLING PRAIRIE, Jennie Rae's restaurant in former Bob's BBQ

SCHERERVILLE, Rosewood Inn, an early 1950s motel

SCHERERVILLE, Teibel's restaurant, fried chicken since 1929

E of DYER, Motel Lee, ’60s style lodging.

IN/IL LINE, Ideal Section marker & Henry Osterman monument

ILLINOIS

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, 1916 Arche Memorial Fountain, intersection of LH and Dixie Highway

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Hi-Way Bakery, restored neon sign of baker

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Carlo's Restaurant, Italian dining since the 1950s

NEW LENNOX, Walona Motel, 1950s

JOLIET, Joliet Area Historical Museum, exhibits on LH and Route 66

PLAINFIELD, LH and Route 66 share road for .3 mile

AURORA, Phillips Park, restored camping pavilion

ROCHELLE, Railroad Park, observation deck where two major rail lines cross

FRANKLIN GROVE, LHA visitors center in 1860 building

DIXON, statue of young Abe Lincoln

MORRISON, Parkview Motel

FULTON, Windmill Welcome Center

IOWA

DeWITT, Winsther Motel, good reviews and neon sign

W of CALAMUS to W of Lowden, section abandoned in 1956, not fully driveable

LOWDEN, Lincoln Hotel, 1915, rehab 1996, now B&B, listed in National Register

W of MT. VERNON, site of first "Seedling Mile" of concrete in Iowa (brown signs mark ends)

W of CEDAR RAPIDS, Ced-Rel Supper Club serving food since 1935

WATKINS, at 24th Ave., Youngville Station Cafe, 1931 rural station serves pies & lunch, check for days

BELLE PLAINE, Lincoln Cafe

BELLE PLAINE, George Preston's vintage gas station (long-closed but being restored, photo op)

TAMA, King Tower Cafe, built 1937, neon sign being restored

TAMA, 1915 LH Bridge with "Lincoln Highway" spelled out in concrete rails

CHELSEA, rebuilt bridge include concrete rails and original globe lights

MARSHALLTOWN, Taylor's Maid Rite, loose meat sandwiches since 1928

COLO, Reed-Niland Corner with restored Niland's Cafe, Colo Motel, and gas station (display only)

AMES, Ames Motor Lodge Motel

E of GRAND JUNCTION, bridges over W Beaver Creek including original concrete and 1924 bridges.

GRAND JUNCTION, Janco Motel & Tanning

JEFFERSON, 14-story Mahanay Bell Tower

N of SCRANTON, two 1924 concrete monument with busts of Lincoln, corner of former Moss farm

DENISON, Cronk's Cafe, since 1929

DENISON, Park Motel, built 1940, Spanish Colonial design, theme rooms, listed in National Register

WOODBINE, six blocks of brick street paving

E of MISSOURI VALLEY, Harrison County Historical Village includes LH Interpretive Center

MISSOURI VALLEY, Hillside Cottages, 1950s, 12 themed inexpensive rooms

MISSOURI VALLEY, Rialto Theater, since 1938, restored + modern upgrades, neon marquee 

HONEY CREEK, Hitchcock Nature Center & Cabins Campground, 1,268 acres in the Loess Hills

NEBRASKA

OMAHA, Hotel Deco, restored Redick Tower, built 1930

E of ELKHORN, one mile of preserved brick paved road, listed in National Register

FREMONT, Mullins statue of President Lincoln

DUNCAN, trace of original LH running between row of trees

GARDINER, iron bridge over Prairie Creek with LH interpretive panel

GRAND ISLAND, Kensinger tiny gas station with neon sign

GRAND ISLAND, Seedling Mile preserved section, built 1915, bypassed 1931, behind station

GRAND ISLAND, Coney Island Lunch Room for hot dogs and malted milkshakes, red counter & stools

W of KEARNEY, Covered Wagon roadside attraction, former gas station and gift shop, giant oxen statues

E of OVERTON, original concrete bridge near RR tracks, now painted white

LEXINGTON, Water Tower Court (former 1950s Green Valley Motel/Travelodge till 2017)

GOTHENBURG STAIRSTEP, original route south of Platte River, a rural throwback

NORTH PLATTE, Western Motel, court style, vintage neon sign

NORTH PLATTE, Fort Cody Trading Post, faux fort facade, check out backyard play area

NORTH PLATTE, Buffalo Bill's Scout's Rest Ranch, tour house and barn, visit buffalo

OGALLALA, Lazy K Motel, 1956, one-story, great sign

BIG SPRINGSPhelps Hotel, 1885, listed in National Register, may be closed

SIDNEY, Sleep For Less Motel, family owned for two decades

SIDNEY, Sidney Motor Lodge, cool, small, red-brick motel

SIDNEY, Dude's Steak House and Brandin Iron Bar, vintage signs on rooftop

POTTER, Point of Rocks Motel & RV Park

KIMBALL, Motel Kimball, small one-story motel

ELKHORN, 4 miles of brick paving

FREMONT, Lincoln statues by Mullins

GRAND ISLAND, Kensinger's Gas station & LHA Seedling Mile behind it

SHELTON, LH Visitors Center

W of KEARNEY, former Covered Wagon souvenir shop with giant wagon and oxen

E of OVERTON, concrete bridge along RR tracks, painted white

COLORADO

JULESBURG, Old Ford Garage/Fort Sedgwick Museum, 112 E 1st St

FORT MORGAN, Rainbow arch bridge

FORT MORGAN, Central Motel,  201 W Platte Ave, classic lodging and sign

ORCHARD (unofficial Greeley Branch), tiny main street used in 1978 Michener miniseries Centennial

DENVER, Pete's Kitchen,1962 E Colfax Ave, all-night classic diner with neon sign

DENVER, Brown Palace Hotel, founded 1892, AAA 4-diamond

NE of DENVER, Lakeside Amusement Park, 4601 Sheridan Blvd, family-owned, founded 1908

BERTHOUD, Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum; across street is mural to auto writer Floyd Clymer

CO-WY border, Terry Bison Ranch, cabins and RV sites, restaurant, bar, gift shop, horseback rides

WYOMING

CHEYENNE, Fleetwood Motel, 3800 E Lincolnway

CHEYENNE, Cheyenne Motel, 1601 E Lincolnway

CHEYENNE, Lincoln Theatre, 1615 Central Ave at Lincolnway, stunning marquee with neon

CHEYENNE, Historic Plains Hotel, 1600 Central Ave at Lincolnway, 1911 landmark

CHEYENNE, Sands Motel, 1022 W LincolnwayCHEYENNE, Wyoming Motel, 1401 W Lincolnway

CHEYENNE, Luxury Diner, 1401 W Lincolnway, former trolley, diner since 1926

CHEYENNE, Stage Coach Motel, 1515 W Lincolnway

BUFORD, Tree Rock, I-80 mm 333, famous to Union Pacific, LH, US 30 travelers

BUFORD, Ames Monument, I-80 exit 329, old LH, pyramid marked highest point on Transcontinental Railroad
SHERMAN SUMMIT, Rest Area, mm 323, Abrahma Lincoln and Henry Joy Monuments, exhibit

LARAMIE, Laramie Valley Inn, 1104 S 3rd St

LARAMIE, Gas Lite Motel, 960 N 3rd St, quirky Americana decor

ROCK RIVER, Longhorn Lodge and Hostler's General Store
COMO BLUFFS, Fossil Cabin, built 1932 from dinosaur bones, endangered

MEDICINE BOW, Virginian Hotel, 404 Lincoln Hwy, iconic, opened 1911

ELK MOUNTAIN, [a non-official LH route], Elk Mountain Hotel, 102 East Main St, built 1905RAWLINS, Brickyard Inn, 415 W Spruce St, brickyardinn.com

RAWLINS, La Bella Motel, 1819 W Spruce St

WAMSUTTER, Sunset Inn, 175 McCormick St

ROCK SPRINGS, Springs Motel, 1525 9th St, operated by the Gillespie family since built in 1969

ROCK SPRINGS, Cozy Cottage Motel, 1204 9th St

Panoramic view of Palisades from Flaming Gorge Way near I-80 exit

GREEN RIVER, Hitching Post Restaurant & Saloon, 580 E Flaming Gorge Way

GREEN RIVER, Mustang Motel, 550 E Flaming Gorge Way

GREEN RIVER, Coachman Inn, 470 E Flaming Gorge Way

GREEN RIVER, Penny's Diner, 1170 W Flaming Gorge Way, modern retro, part of Oak Tree Inn chain

JAMES TOWN, remains of gas station (pumps now gone), WY 374, west end

LITTLE AMERICA, hotel and travel center, opened 1930s to the west but relocated here

GRANGER, triangle intersection s of town, Old Little America Rd (old LH) and Granger Rd (old US 30)

CHURCH BUTTES, mountain scenery on original LH, east of Lyman

LYMAN, 1928 concrete LH post east of town

LYMAN, Gateway Inn, 24 rooms all non-smoking

FORT BRIDGER, restored 1840s fort including restored LH-era cabin camp at entrance

EVANSTON, Prairie Inn, 264 Bear River Dr, locally owned and operated since 1966

EVANSTON, Jody's Diner, 260 Bear River Dr

EVANSTON, 1928 LH concrete post & plaque, 201 Bear River Dr, in front of abandoned Sunset Tourist Cabins

EVANSTON, 1928 LH concrete post rededicated 1996, next to Depot Square and Uinta County Museum

UTAH

...

... BELOW is still under construction!!

...

3 small concrete bridges just west of WY border, on private land but can seen from access road

ECHO, old Gas station and Cozy Café buildings, signs

WEBER CANYON, Devil's Slide, two parallel limestone strata, pull-off on I-84 at mm 111

MORGAN, Taggart's Grill, I-84 x108

RIVERDALE, Motor Vu Drive-In Theatre, on 1050 W. just off Riverdale Road

CLEARFIELD, Charin Inn, 116 N Main St, vintage motel

LAMBS CANYON, 1914 bridge, I-80 x137

COALVILLE, Echo State Park Campground, at Echo Reservoir, I-84 x169

COALVILLE, Polar King Drive-Inn, 128 N Main St, classic American & Mexican food

COALVILLE, Blonquist Motel AKA A Country Place Motel, 99 S Main St

SALT LAKE CITY, Temple Square inc Mormon Temple and Tabernacle

SALT LAKE CITY,

SALT LAKE CITY,

SALTAIR, famed lakeside attraction

GRANTSVILLE, Warner RV Park, 324 E Main St

GRANTSVILLE, Donner-Reed Pioneer Museum, 90 North Cooley

SKULL VALLEY, Orr's Ranch

DUGWAY PASS, TOOELE COUNTY, Simpson Springs Campground BLM

WENDOVER, Bonneville Salt Flats and Speedway.

NEVADA

...

ELY, Fireside Inn, 49 N McGill Hwy

ELY, Bristlecone Motel, 700 Ave I, bristleconemotelnv.com

ELY, Magnuson Hotel Park Vue, 930 E Aultman St, magnusonhotels.com

ELY, Hotel Nevada

EUREKA, Jackson House Hotel, 701 N Main St, eurekagoldcountryinn.com

EUREKA, Sundown Lodge, 60 N Main St

EUREKA, Ruby Hill Motel, 380 N Main St

AUSTIN, Lincoln Motel, 60 Main Street

AUSTIN, Cozy Mountain Motel, 40 Main Street, clients.innroad.com

FALLON, Cold Springs Station, 52300 Austin Hwy, cssresort.com

FALLON, Overland Hotel & Saloon, 125 E Center St, theoverlandhotel.com

FALLON, Fallon Lodge Motel, 25 N Taylor St

FERNLEY, Lahontan Inn, 135 E Main St

FERNLEY, Lazy Inn, 325 W Main St

SPARKS, Lariat Motel, 304 Victorian Ave

SPARKS, Victorian Inn, 1555 Victorian Ave

CARSON CITY, Hardman House Hotel

 

CALIFORNIA

...

TRUCKEE, River Street Inn, 10009 E River St, riverstreetinntruckee.com

TRUCKEE, Loch Leven Lodge, 13855 Donner Pass Rd, lochlevenlodge.com

TRUCKEE, Richards Motel, 15758 Donner Pass Rd, richardsmotelca.com

SODA SPRINGS, Kingvale Lodge, 51228 Donner Pass Rd

EMIGRANT GAP, Big Yeti, 43310 Laing Rd

COLFAX, Colfax Motor Lodge, 550 S Auburn St

CITRUS HEIGHTS (metro Sacramento) CA, Ranch Motel, 6221 Auburn Blvd, ranchmotelcitrusheights.com

SACRAMENTO, Surf Motel, 3204 Auburn Blvd

SACRAMENTO, The Greens Hotel, 1700 Del Paso Blvd, thegreenshotel.com

SACRAMENTO, Deville Motel, 2756 Stockton Blvd

SACRAMENTO, Delta King

STOCKTON, Brevia Inn & Restaurant, 1625 French Camp Turnpike, breviainn.com

TRACY, Hacienda Inn, 639 W 11th St, haciendainn.net

LIVERMORE, Del Valle Lodge, 3979 First St, delvallelodge.com

CASTRO VALLEY, Valley Inn, 17130 Foothill Blvd

SAN FRANCISCO, OCean Park Motel

SAN FRANCISCO, Alexis Park Inn San Francisco, 825 Polk St, alexisparksf.com

Also visit my LINCOLN HIGHWAY NEWS blog and its archive of information www.lincolnhighwaynews.com

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