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 SPRINGS, Phelps 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
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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