Lathrop in San Joaquin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

America's First Coast-to-Coast Road

Historic Lincoln Highway

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 19, 2020

1. America's First Coast-to-Coast Road Marker

Inscription.
(First panel:)

America's first coast to coast road
Established 1913

(Second panel:)

1924-1967
Site of Original Wiggins
Trading Post serving travelers
along the Lincoln Highway

Erected 2007 by Lathrop Sunrise Rotary Club.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway, and the Rotary International series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 37° 49.153′ N, 121° 17.522′ W. Marker is in Lathrop, California, in San Joaquin County. It is at the intersection of Harlan Road and Thomsen Road on Harlan Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15688 South Harlan Road, Lathrop CA 95330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the San Joaquin Valley and specifically in the Central Valley. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it

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finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lathrop Veteran’s Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lathrop (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Comet – 1846 – First Sail Launch (approx. 2.3 miles away); California Chicory Works (approx. 3.4 miles away); Finley’s Bar and Grill (approx. 3.7 miles away); Liberty Plot (approx. 4.8 miles away); French Camp (approx. 4.8 miles away); William Campbell (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lathrop.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Shooting of David S. Terry (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing); First Transcontinental Railroad (was approx. 2.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Lincoln Highway sign dedication in Lathrop, CA (Lincoln Highway Association). "Wiggins Trading Post was established on the Lincoln Highway in 1924. Francis Wiggin opened his store to serve the needs of the motoring public traveling through the Central Valley. He provided Gilmore Gasoline,

America's First Coast-to-Coast Road Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 19, 2020

2. America's First Coast-to-Coast Road Marker - wide view

oil, and other motoring necessities. In 1932, he began selling “Indian Head” Gasoline, for which he had a patent. Francis also provided Indian trinkets and souvenirs, a holdover from his early days as a setup man with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. His son, Francis Porter Wiggin II, became involved in the business around 1936." (Submitted on September 20, 2020.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 605 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 20, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.