Great news! The City of Placerville has requested information on how to begin signing their city with our Lincoln Highway signs. I had spoken to the city council a few months ago about the Lincoln Highway, and the importance of recognizing the old road. Now they are on board, and we need to decide where to place the signs. Generally, they are put about every 3-4 minutes driving time at the speed limit, so drivers can know they are still on the highway. Often they are placed where there is a confusing intersection or doubt on which way to proceed.
High snow near Cisco. Photo from Donner Summit Historical Society, Norm Sayler collection.
The Lincoln Highway Association has, since its founding in 1913, been all about promoting the highway. Besides conceiving the road, their main goal was publicity, and to sign the route for transcontinental autoists. You would find metal signs or a stenciled "L" on bridges or telephone poles all along the way across the country.
The present-day Lincoln Highway Association also wishes to sign the old route. Our chapter here in California has the goal of signing both Lincoln Highway routes from San Francisco to the border with Nevada. There are two border crossings into Nevada for the Lincoln in California. One is at Stateline, and the other is at Verdi, Nevada on the old Dog Valley Road.
Recent stencil project in Newcastle at the oldest auto subway in California, built in 1910.
There has been lot's of progress over the years, apparent by the signs we see in various locals. Our most recent project has been the stenciling of the Logo on the railroad underpasses through Placer County. The towns of Galt, Rancho Cordova, Auburn and the county of San Joaquin are well signed. That leaves a lot of cities and counties that still need to recognize the old road.
The satisfaction from a well placed sign!
What's needed is people that are willing to join us and help get their local Lincoln Highway town or county on-board the signage program. The signage program has moved forward when there is a "champion" of the project in their particular home region. Membership in the Association is inexpensive, but the value of new members is priceless. Association and membership information here.