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

Lincoln Highway

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, June 21, 2020

1. Lincoln Highway Marker

Inscription. The Lincoln Highway, the nation's first east-west transcontinental highway, has an intimate history with Greene County. Stretching from New York City to San Francisco, its original construction was essentially a private promotional effort, created by the Lincoln Highway Association in 1913, with no federal help and very little from the state, Greene County was the first in the state to gravel and the first to pave its section. The original route ran through Grand Junction, Jefferson and Scranton. Several segments and structures through the country are on the National Register of Historic Places. Concrete markers along the entire route were erected nationwide on a single day in 1928 by Boy Scouts, and several of them mark the route through Greene County. About 50 miles of drain tile, all hand dug, adjoin the highway through the county. Eureka Bridge west of Jefferson across the Raccoon River was built in 1912, and remains the only multiple-arch bridge of its type in rural Iowa.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 42° 0.913′ N, 94° 22.446′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Iowa, in Greene County. It is on East Lincolnway Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 113 E Lincolnway St, Jefferson IA 50129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sally White (here, next to this marker); Albert Head (here, next to this marker); The Kendall Building (here, next to this marker); Friday Club (a few steps from this marker); Judge Robert Montgomery Rippey (a few steps from this marker); Captain Darrell R. Lindsey (within shouting distance of this marker); Greene County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul and Railroad Depot

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, June 21, 2020

2. Lincoln Highway Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 462 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.