New Lenox in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Original Lincoln Highway Marker
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025
1. Original Lincoln Highway Marker Marker
[Top plaque:]
One of the few remaining Lincoln Highway markers. Originally, 3,000 markers were placed along the highway by the Boy Scouts of America in 1928. The markers symbolized one of the nation's first cross-country highways.
This historic marker was relocated to this site in May of 1996
[Bottom plaque:]
Lincoln Highway Marker
This object has been designated a
Will County Historic Landmark
September 15, 2016
Will County Historic Preservation Commission and the Will County Board
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Lincoln Highway series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 1, 1928.
Location. 41° 30.694′ N, 87° 55.789′ W. Marker is in New Lenox, Illinois, in Will County. It is on Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) 0.1 miles west of Schoolhouse Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is in front of a gazebo that sits in front of Lincoln-Way Central High School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 East Lincoln Highway, New Lenox IL 60451, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. 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 Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: American Patriotism on the Highway (here, next to this marker); Village of New Lenox (here, next to this marker); Advertising Across America's Roadways
this page online
More about this marker. The highway marker and its accompanying historical marker sit next to a gazebo that houses several historical markers about the Lincoln Highway. The gazebo is one of 16 that were erected by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition along the roadway's 179 miles in the state.
Regarding Original Lincoln Highway Marker. More than 2,400 of these markers were erected along the Lincoln Highway by the Boy Scouts of America on September 1, 1928. The medallion at the top of the marker features a profile of Abraham Lincoln and the words, "This highway dedicated to Abraham Lincoln."
According to newspaper reports, this particular marker had originally sat along the roadway in front of Joliet's Mount Olivet Cemetery, about seven miles west of here. Efforts by a local school
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025
2. Original Lincoln Highway Marker
This is one of about 2,400 four-foot markers that were erected at one-mile intervals along the Lincoln Highway on September 1, 1928, by the Boy Scouts of America. The markers feature the letter "L" in red white and blue and a circular medallion with Abraham Lincoln's head and the words, "This highway dedicated to Abraham Lincoln." This particular marker originally stood in front of a cemetery in Joliet, about seven miles west.
The markers and the gazebo were refurbished by Eagle Scout Jack McDonnell in 2023.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This Lincoln Highway marker from Oswego, Illinois, discusses the plan to erect these markers across the entire 3,000-mile stretch of the Lincoln Highway.
Also see . . .
1. Those Marvelous Memorial Markers.
Excerpt: "On September 1, 1928 at 9:00 AM, the markers were placed by Boy Scout troops, all across the country. (Since the markers weigh over 220 pounds each, it is likely that parents helped out on the project.) In the sparsely populated western states, county highway crews placed the markers at a later date. 2,436 markers were actually placed, the position of each marker was determined by a plan laid out by Gael Hoag, Field Secretary of the Lincoln Highway Association. It is assumed that extras were cast as replacements or set aside for future route improvements. No one seems to know what happened to the extra markers."(Submitted on July 20, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Lincoln Highway marker to become historic landmark.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025
3. Original Lincoln Highway Marker
The original marker is to the left of a gazebo that houses four historical markers about the Lincoln Highway.
Excerpt: "Now standing in front of Lincoln-Way Central High School, next to the historic road, it is one of about a dozen that remain of the 2,436 that were installed by the Boy Scouts of America on Sept. 1, 1928, said Holmquist, who is now writing a book about the history of Lincoln Highway in New Lenox Township, its first paved road."(Submitted on July 20, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025
4. Original Lincoln Highway Marker Marker
The markers are in front of Lincoln-Way Central High School.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025
5. Eagle Scout refurbishment plaque
A 2023 project by Eagle Scout Jack McDonnell refurbished the area around the Lincoln Highway markers in front of Lincoln-Way Central High School.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 20, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
