Fulton Township in Whiteside County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Illinois Lincoln Highway

Speed Racer

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023

1. Illinois Lincoln Highway Marker

Inscription. The Lincoln Highway became the route of choice for transcontinental auto speed records, mostly sponsored by small automobile companies trying to compete with General Motors and Ford. The first was in 1916 when Bobby Hammond set the mark at six days, 10 hours, 59 minutes. Over the years this dwindled to four days, 14 hours. The most famous runs were by L. B. Miller in 1925 (102 hours, 45 minutes) and in 1926 when he made a round trip, stopping only one minute in New York City before heading back west behind the wheel of “The Flying Lady”.

On Wednesday, August 25, 1915, Anita King, a former race car driver and movie star, set out from Los Angeles to be the first woman to cross the continent alone. She drove the Illinois Lincoln Highway on route and after successfully completing the journey, started production on a movie version entitled “The Race,” starring Anita King and Victor Moore.

Erected by Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles • Women. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 25, 1915.

Location. 41° 52.019′ N, 90° 10.016′ W. Marker is in Fulton, Illinois

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, in Whiteside County. It is in Fulton Township. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 10th Avenue and 3rd Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fulton IL 61252, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lincoln Highway (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Illinois Lincoln Highway (here, next to this marker); The Lincoln Highway – The nation's first coast-to-coast highway! (here, next to this marker); Dement House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fulton: A River Town (about 500 feet away); The Dutch on the River (about 500 feet away); The Market Place (about 700 feet away); Modern Woodmen (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fulton.

Also see . . . Anita King: The woman who conquered a continent. In 1913, a new highway connects one coast to the other, and it comes to connect a little-known aspiring address to adoring fans. Larry Potash has the backstory on Anita King, AKA the Paramount Girl, and her pioneering feat involving the Lincoln Highway. (WGN News, uploaded April 23, 2022) (Submitted on August 10, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023

2. Illinois Lincoln Highway Marker

Featured marker is inside the gazebo, just right of center.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.