Lincoln Highway History  -- Western Indiana

 LaPorte Argus-Bulletin, Saturday, 13 September, 1913
 
LAPORTE ON ROUTE OF THE LINCOLN ROAD

 Official Announcement Comes From National Headquarters
 at Detroit of Route Which Highway Will Follow.

Special to the Argus-Bulletin.
 Detroit, Sept. 13. -Thirteen states will be traversed by the Lincoln highway, the route of which was
definitely announced today in a proclamation issued from the national offices of the Lincoln Highway
association.
 The states which will be honored by this memorial to Abraham Lincoln are New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California.
 Starting in New York city the highway passes through Jersey City, Newark and Trenton to Philadelphia,
then west to Pittsburg, through the north central section of Ohio, over to Fort Wayne and South Bend,
passes through LaPorte and Valparaiso, skirts Chicago, enters Joliet, Rochelle, Sterling and other Illinois
cities; reaches Iowa at Clinton and leaves at Council Bluffs; passes through Omaha, goes to Denver and
north to Cheyenne, west through Green River and Evanston to Salt Lake City; finds its way into Nevada
by way of Tippet's ranch and after reaching Reno, goes to Lake Tahoe, California, finally ending on the
Pacific seaboard at Oakland and San Francisco.
 The directors of the Lincoln Highway association have endeavored to select a route of easy grades yet
combining the scenic splendors of the country.  Some of the points either on, adjacent to, or to be connected
by branch highways are Gettysburg, Washington, Canton, the resting place of McKinley, the Mammoth cave
of Kentucky, the home of Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., Lincoln's birthplace in Kentucky, the scenic splendors of
Colorado, and the many varied wonders of Utah, Nevada and California.

 South Bend News-Times, Sunday, 14 September, 1913

 South Bend Put on Route of Lincoln
 Highway Through Efforts of Clement
 Studebaker, jr.; Road From Gotham
 to Frisco to Cost $10,000,000

 Through the efforts of Clement Studebaker, jr., of the Studebaker corporation, South Bend was placed on
the Lincoln highway, the route of which was announced today.  By persistent work and financial donation
to the building fund of the national road he was able to show the committee in charge the desirability of having
South Bend on the route.
 Although no definite local route has yet been announced it is believed the highway will pass through the heart
of the city, entering it on the east possibly along Jefferson boulevard, from Mishawaka and thence west out
along the Michigan avenue road to Laporte.  New Carlisle may also be touched by the highway.
 It is estimated the highway will cost over $10,000,000, which will be provided by popular subscription.  Already
$5,000,000 is pledged.  The road which is to be constructed of concrete whenever practicable, will reach from
New York to 'Frisco and will be open to lawful traffic of all descriptions.  No toll charges are to be paid.
 Through Thirteen States.
 Thirteen states will be traversed by the Lincoln highway according to the proclamation from the national offices
of the Lincoln Highway association in the Dime Bank building of Detroit, Mich.
 The states which will be honored by this memorial to Abraham Lincoln are New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California.
 Starting in New York city the highway passes through Jersey City, Newark and Trenton to Philadelphia, then west
to Pittsburgh, through the north central section of Ohio, over to Fort Wayne and South Bend, skirts Chicago, enters
Joliet, Rochelle, Sterling and other Illinois cities, reaches Iowa at Clinton and leaves at Council Bluffs, passes
through Omaha, goes to Denver and north to Cheyenne, west through Green River and Evanston to Salt Lake City,
finds it way into Nevada by may of Tippet's ranch and after reaching Reno goes to Lake Tohoe, California, finally
ending on the Pacific seaboard at Oakland and San Francisco.
 The directors of the Lincoln Highway association have endeavored to select a route of easy grades yet combining
the scenic splendors of the country.  Some of the points either on, adjacent to or to be connected by branch
highways are Gettysburg, Washington, Canton, the resting place of McKinley, the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky,
the home of Lincoln at Springfield, Ill., Lincoln's birthplace in Kentucky, the scenic splendors of Colorado, the
Grand Canon of Colorado, and the many varied wonders of Utah, Nevada and California.
 The Proclamation.
 The proclamation of the route of the Lincoln highway which is signed by the directors and officers, R. A. Alger,
Paul Deming, F. A. Seiberling, Albert J. Beveridge, John N. Willys, A. R. Pardington, R. D. Chapin, A. V. Gowan,
Emory W. Clark, Henry B. Joy and Carl G. Fisher, and also by Henry E. Bodman, legal counsel and Frank H. Trego,
engineer, is as follows:
 Whereas, the purpose of this association is to immediately promote and procure the establishment of a continuous
improved highway from the Atlantic to the Pacific, open to lawful traffic of all descriptions and without toll charges,
and
 Whereas, toward the end of accomplishing this purpose elaborate research and investigation has been prerequisite
to crystallization of opinion before intelligent and wise decision could be reached and
 Whereas, this association expressly desires to impress upon all the people that it fully acknowledges that a public
declaration of it of a route is of no force or effect except as it shall be wise and practicable, and being so meet with
the approval of the people for such a useful and enduring memorial and
 Whereas it is obvious that this association can only aid and co-operate toward the desired end, and that UPON ALL
THE PEOPLE and expecially upon the officials of each state and county and upon the inhabitants thereof, within the
borders of which is designated by these resolutions a section of the Lincoln highway, does rest the patriotic burden of
establishing, broadening, straightening, maintaining and beautifying such highway to the end that it may become an
appropriate memorial to the great martyred patriot whose name it bears, and
 Whereas, our chief step toward the desired goal is to crystallize in the public mind the practical wisdom of the route
selected, therefore be it recorded here:
 First--That in general it has been for nearly a century and is today the main overland trail, and that part lying west of
Chicago is known by that historic name.
 Second--It is the most direct and practical route as to grades, curves and general topography.
 Third--It is to the greatest extent improved and marked throughout its length.
 Fourth--It is capable of being extablished as a fitting memorial highway at the least cost, and
 Whereas, It is now proper to declare the results of deliberation and inspection in the hope that the wisdom and care
in selection may insure united sentiment, and with the prayer that this record will appeal to the hearts of all patriotic
Americans to the end that plans and activities toward construction may go immediately forward, therefore be it
 Resolved, That the Lincoln highway now is and henceforth shall be an existing memorial in tribute to the immortal
Abraham Lincoln.
 That the Lincoln highway does extend from New York to San Francisco over and through the following states:
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California.
 More specifically the route is described as passing through or near the following cities in the several states, viz:
 NEW YORK--New York city.
 NEW JERSEY--Jersey City, Newark, Trenton, Camden.
 PENNSYLVANIA--Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Gettysburg, Chambersburg, Bedford, Ligonier, Greensburg,
Pittsburgh, Beaver Falls.
 OHIO--Canton, Mansfield, Marion, Kenton, Lima, Van Wert.
 INDIANA--Fort Wayne, Ligonier, Elkhart, South Bend, Laporte, Valparaiso.
 ILLINOIS--Chicago Heights, Joliet, Geneva, DeKalb, Rochelle, Ashton, Dixon, Sterling, Morrison, Fulton.
 IOWA--Clinton, Dewitt, Cedar Rapids, Tama, Marshalltown, State Centre, Ames, Grand Junction, Jefferson,
Dennison, Logan, Council Bluffs.
 NEBRASKA--Omaha, Freemont, Columbus, Central City, Grand Island, Kearney, Lexington, Gothenberg, North
Platte, Ogallalla, Big Spring, Chappell, Sidney, Kimball.
 COLORADO--Julesburg, Sterling, Fort Morgan, Denver, Longmont, Loveland, Fort Collins.
 WYOMING--Pine Bluff, Cheyenne, Laramie, Rawlins, Wamsutter, Point of Rocks, Rock Springs, Green River,
Granger, Fort Bridger, Evanston.
 UTAH--Echo, Parley's Canyon, Salt Lake City, Garfield, Grantville, Timple, Kanaka Ranch, Fish Springs, Kearney's
Ranch, Ibapah.
 NEVADA--Tippet's Ranch, Shelburne Pass, Elly, Eureka, Austin, Fallon, Wadsworth, Reno, Carson City.
 CALIFORNIA--Truckee, Auburn, Tallac, Placerville, Sacramento, Stockton, Oakland, San Francisco.
 And be it resolved, That this is an appeal to the state authorities and to all officials to properly dedicate, to re-mark
and re-name the said described highway with the Lincoln highway insignia and be it fully
 Resolved, that copies of these resolutions be sent to the president of the United States, to the governors of each state
and territory, to the members of the national congress and to the members of the legislatures of each state.

 Porter County Vidette, Wednesday, 17 September, 1913
 
Valpo on Nation's Highway.

 Detroit, Sept. 15.--The route over which the ocean-to-ocean Lincoln national highway will traverse was Saturday
made public by the association.  From Indiana to Nebraska the route is as follows:
 Indiana--Ft. Wayne, Ligonier,  Elkhart, South Bend, Laporte, Valparaiso.
 Illinois--Chicago Heights, Joliet, Geneva, DeKalb, Rochelle, Ashton, Dixon, Sterling, Morrison, Fulton.
 Iowa -- Clinton, DeWitt,  Cedar Rapids,  Tama, Marshalltown, State Center,  Ames, Grand Junction,  Jefferson,
Dennison, Logan, Council Bluffs.
 Nebraska -- Omaha,  Fremont,  Columbus,  Central City, Grand Island, Kearney,  Lexington, Gothenberg,  North
Platte, Ogalalla, Big Springs, Chappell, Sydney, Kimball.
 

 Hobart News, Thursday, 18 September, 1913

 LINCOLN HIGHWAY ROUTE IS MADE PUBLIC

 Thirteen states will be traversed by the Lincoln ocean-to-ocean highway, the route of which has been definitely
announced in a proclamation issued from the national offices of the Lincoln Highway association at Detroit, Michigan.
 The states which will be honored by this memorial to Abraham Lincoln are:  New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Utah, Nevada and California.
 Starting in New York City the highway passes through Jersey City, Newark and Trenton to Philadelphia, thence to
Pittsburg, through the north central section of Fort Wayne and South Benc, passes through Laporte, Valparaiso,
Hobart, Chicago Heights, Joliet, Rochelle, Clinton, Council Bluffs, Omaha, Denver, Cheyenne, Reno, and finally ending
at Oakland and San Francisco.
 

 Valparaiso Messenger, Thursday, 18 September, 1913

 VALPARAISO ON ROUTE OF THE LINCOLN ROAD

 Detroit, Sept. 15--Thirteen states will be traversed by the Lincoln highway, the route of which was definitely
announced today in a proclamation issued from the natiional offices of the Lincoln Highway association.
 The states which will be honored by this memorial to Abraham Lincoln are New York, New Jersey, Pennsyvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California.
 Starting in New York City the highway passes through Jersey City, Newark and Trenton to Philadelphia, thence
west to Pittsburg, through the north central section of Ohio, over to Fort Wayne and South Bend, passes through
Laporte and Valparaiso, skirts Chicago, enters Joliet, Rochelle, Sterling and other Illinois cities; reaches Iowa at
Clinton and leaves at Council Bluffs; passes through Omaha, goes to Denver and north to Cheyenne, west thru
Green River and Evanston to Salt Lake City; finds its way into Nevada by way of Tippet's ranch and after reaching
Reno, goes to Lake Tahoe, California, finally ending on the Pacific seaboard at Oakland and San Francisco.
 The directors of the Lincoln Highway association have endeavored to select a route of easy grades yet combinging
the scenic splendors of the country.  Some of the points either on, adjacent to, or to be connected by branch highways
are Gettysburg, Washington, Canton, the resting place of McKinley, the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, the home of
Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., Lincoln's birthplace in Kentucky, the scenic splendors of Colorado, the Grand Canon of the
Colorado, and the many varied wonders of Utah, Nevada and California.

 Valparaiso Messenger, Thursday, 30 October, 1913

 NEW HIGHWAY SCHEME

 That the name of the Indiana division of the Trans Continental Highway Association be changed to the Northern
Indiana Lincoln Highway Association was the report presented by the committee which met yesterday at the
Chamber of Commerce in South Bend.
 The former organization was completely dissolved and was absorbed in the formation of the new society.  The
furthering of the Lincoln Highway plans is not the only object of interest to this new organization, as it intends to
make it a part of the work to arouse the public interest toward a better road system in this part of the state.
 This new organization includes 12 towns and cities of the northern part of the state.  These are Ligonier, Goshen,
Elkhart, Mishawaka, South Bend, New Carlisle, Rolling Prairie, Laporte, Valpo and Hobart.  Committeemen from
these towns have told of the interest to be found in each place and the aid from these communities will be greatly
beneficial.
 Although the plans for the new society were adopted at once, no officials have as yet been elected.  This will be
primary purpose of the next meeting. [sic]
 These meetings will be held on Oct. 31.

 MARK NEW HIGHWAY ROUTE
 Valpo will take part in the general celebration which will mark the dedication of the Lincoln National Highway,
Friday, Oct. 31.  The exact nature of the local celebration is not known.  Hundreds of cities along the route will
join in the event.  The road from the Laporte county line thru this city to the Lake county line will be marked.  The
committee in charge of Porter county are Mayor W. F. Spooner, George T. Miller and G. F. Stinchfield.  They rre
[sic] planning an auto parade.
 

 South Bend News-Times, Friday, 31 October, 1913

 MACHINES WANTED FOR AUTO PARADE
 All owners of automobiles and motorcycles are invited to take part in the Lincoln highway parade tonight to
commemorate the first important step towards the establishment of the highway through northern Indiana.
 The owners are requested to have their machines at the Oliver hotel by 7:30 o'clock.  The parade is to start at 8
o'clock, but time is needed to get the machines in line and make ready for the start.
 Members of the committee which has the affair in charge are anxious to make the turnout one of the best ever seen
in the city, as the establishment of the highway is of vital interest to the autoists and motorcyclists as well as to other
citizens of the city and county.

 RED LIGHTS TO BURN ALONG ROUTE TONIGHT
 Auto Parade and Burning of Bonfire at Springbrook
 Park, South Bend's Part in Lincoln Highway Celebration
 Preparations are complete for the great illuminated parade which will mark the dedication of the Lincoln
National highway through South Bend this evening.  With scores of outsiders here to aid in the celebration
South Bend and Mishawaka good roads enthusiasts are planning to make the event fitting the significance
of the opening of such a highway.
 The highway and the demonstration planned for tonight are expected to bring the automobile owners of this
vicinity into a closer relationship which will in turn it is hoped, result in a further crystallization of the good
roads' sentiment.
 The celebration will begin with the lighting of the first red tire torch at New Carlisle by William Nichols, who
will proceed to place the rest of the torches from that place to the seven mile corner.  A mass meeting to
promote interest in the new highway has been arranged by New Carlisle citizens to be held in the high school
auditorium at 7:30 when a large crowd is expected.
 At the seven mile corner the lighting will be taken up by W. Nikert, who will proceed to this city entering on
Michigan av. and stopping at Lasalle av. and Lafayette st. where the automobile parade from this city will join.
There will be two cars to set the fires from this point to the bonfire at Springbrook.
 The automobile parade, in which all who own cars are expected to enter, will form at Jefferson boulevard and
Main st.  Automobile trucks will pick up all the school children who desire to come down town.  Noisemaking
apparatus of every description will emphasize the Halloween feature.  The parade will proceed east to Michigan st.,
south to South st., west to Lafayette st. and north to Lasalle where the torch bearers will be met and followed to
the scene of the speechmaking.
 Ray Randall of Mishawaka will begin lighting the torches on the east at Osceola leaving at 7:30.  At Second and
Main sts. he will be met by the Mishawaka auto parade preparations for which are being made by George Clark.
The two parades will meet at Springbrook.
 M. L. Williams has disposed of 50 of the $5 certificates in South Bend.  It is believed these are all the local
contributions up to date but the subscription feature is to be boosted as soon as the dedication is over.  Word was
received Thursday of the first large subscription from northern section of the state.  The Auburn Motor company
has sent check for $10,000 to the fund.

 Hobart News, Thursday, 6 November, 1913

 The biggest gift to the Lincoln National Highway to be recorded in northern Indiana, came from Morris Eckhart,
of Auburn, president of Auburn Automobile Manufacturing Co., the contribution being an even $10,000.  The highway
does not go through Auburn.

 There still seems to be a misunderstanding in regard to the rule of vehicles passing an automobile on the road, as to
which side of the road to take, and accidents are resulting on account of it.  It is a very easy matter to make yourself
clear on this when you firmly stick to the rule that the vehicle keeps to the right when passing or being passed by an
automobile and the automobile driver keeps to the left in either case.  This is the law.  Automobile to the left, vehicle
to the right, always, remember.

 Valparaiso Messenger, Thursday, 6 November, 1913

 GIVES $10,000 FOR NEW ROAD
 The biggest gift to the Lincoln National Highway to be recorded in Northern Indiana, came from Morris Eckhart,
of Auburn, president of the Auburn Automobile company, the contribution being an even $10,000, and the highway
will not go thru Auburn