Tama in Tama County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Historic "Lincoln Highway" Bridge

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

1. The Historic "Lincoln Highway" Bridge Marker

Inscription.
This bridge, constructed in 1915, was an early advertisement for the Lincoln Highway, which was the first successful effort to mark, promote, and build an automobile highway spanning the United States. Initiated in 1913 as a memorial to the martyred president, the Lincoln Highway linked Iowa to both coasts and crossed the state by way of Tama.

Motorists today can travel the original route through the city by following signs that begin at the bridge and continue west on 5th Street. Guard rails spelling the name on both sides make this a unique bridge on the Lincoln Highway.

On March 30, 1978, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and community donations paid for its restoration in 1987. It stands as a dramatic reminder of a time when few roads were paved and the campaign to “get out of the mud” had just begun.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 41° 57.843′ N, 92° 33.73′ W.

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Marker is in Tama, Iowa, in Tama County. It is at the intersection of Lincoln Highway (Business U.S. 30) and East 5th Street, on the right when traveling east on Lincoln Highway. Marker is beside the parking lot, on the west side of the small, unnamed, triangular-shaped roadside park at this location. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tama IA 52339, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Depot Site (approx. 0.8 miles away); Hope Fire Company Engine House (approx. 2.3 miles away).

More about this marker. This marker is a large metal plaque, mounted at eye-level on an attractive, 6-foot tall brick kiosk.

Regarding The Historic "Lincoln Highway" Bridge. The

The Historic "Lincoln Highway" Bridge Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

2. The Historic "Lincoln Highway" Bridge Marker (wide view)

1915 Lincoln Highway bridge is about 20 yards south of the marker, and is still in service carrying East 5th street across Tama Mud Creek.

Also see . . .
1. Lincoln Highway Orphaned Bridge. Roadside America website entry:
The Lincoln Highway was announced to the world on Oct. 31, 1913, America's first national memorial to President Lincoln. Unfortunately, proclaiming a coast to coast highway is far easier than actually building one, and the Lincoln Highway remained a series of wildly mismatched roads for years. One of the hundreds of towns it went through was Tama, Iowa. In 1915 the town showed its pride in its good fortune by building a concrete bridge for the highway across Mud Creek with the words "Lincoln Highway" cut out of its guard rails. (Submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Tama’s Lincoln Highway Bridge: A Landmark Spelled Out in Concrete. The Lincoln Highway Guide website entry (Submitted on April 29, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

1915 Lincoln Highway Bridge (<i>north side; wide view from near marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

3. 1915 Lincoln Highway Bridge (north side; wide view from near marker)

1915 Lincoln Highway Bridge (<i>north rail view from 5th Street; roadside park in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

4. 1915 Lincoln Highway Bridge (north rail view from 5th Street; roadside park in background)

1915 Lincoln Highway Bridge (<i>south side; East 5th Street passes over bridge</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

5. 1915 Lincoln Highway Bridge (south side; East 5th Street passes over bridge)

1915 Lincoln Highway Bridge (<i>south rail view from East 5th Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

6. 1915 Lincoln Highway Bridge (south rail view from East 5th Street)

Lincoln Highway Bridge National Register of Historic Places plaque (<i>mounted on north rail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

7. Lincoln Highway Bridge National Register of Historic Places plaque (mounted on north rail)

Iowa Historic Site
Lincoln Highway
Bridge
1915
This property is listed in
the National Register of Historic Places
Iowa State Historical Department
Division of Historic Preservation

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,147 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on December 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.