Creston in Ogle County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Creston
Lincoln Highway Water Fountains
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
1. Creston Marker
Illinois was the only state to have LH drinking fountains. They were donated by Carl Parker in memory of his mother, Amanda Sutherland Parker who had grown up in the Garden Plain area of Whiteside County. Originally the fountains were to be placed every ten miles across Illinois. This was not practical because of water supply, so the fountains were donated to the towns and cities. 17 fountains were donated, and the 1914 Progress Report states that nine of them were then being placed.
The fountains were donated free of charge, but the recipients had to meet certain criteria: 1) the name of the street that the Lincoln Highway traversed through town had to be changed to Lincoln Way; 2) that the entire route through town had to be marked with the painted LH signs; and 3) that the town had to agree to assume the expense of installing and maintaining the fountains. The design of the fountain made it very useful in that it was a pedestal type with a drinking bubbler on the top, and a spigot on the side for drawing off water in a pail. Along the inside edge of the bowl were the words In Memoriam, so that all who stooped to
this page online
Erected by Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 41° 55.872′ N, 88° 57.897′ W. Marker is in Creston, Illinois, in Ogle County. It is on North Main Street just north of West North Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is mounted above eye-level on the east side of the building at this address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 North Main Street, Creston IL 60113, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
2. Creston Marker
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition - Creston
Also see . . . The Lincoln Highway. Excerpt:
Carl Fisher proposed to form an organization, later known as the Lincoln Highway Association, that would raise ten million dollars in contributions from the automobile companies and their suppliers and in hundred-dollar and five-dollar donations from private(Submitted on November 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)individuals. President Woodrow Wilson sent in his personal check for five dollars.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 20233. Lincoln Highway Water Fountain & Mile Post(water fountain replica and Lincoln Highway Mile Post on exhibit across West North Street from the marker) A man in Los Angeles said that if the highway passed through Illinois, as it later did, he would contribute seventeen drinking fountains along the route in that state as a memorial to his Illinois-born mother.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
4. Lincoln Highway Water Fountain Replica
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
