New Lenox in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Lincoln Highway

The Nation's First Coast-to-Coast Highway!

— Rich in History and Culture —

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025

1. The Lincoln Highway - The Nation's First Coast-to-Coast Highway! Marker

Inscription.

The Lincoln Highway. The Nation's First Coast-to-Coast Highway!. In 1913, Carl Fisher proposed the "Coast-to-Coast Rock Highway". Eager to put America on wheels, executives from automobile and tire manufacturers quickly joined in the effort. At the inaugural meeting on July 1, 1913, the newly elected President, Henry Joy, proposed the highway be dedicated to the martyred Abraham Lincoln. This became a cause that Americans nationwide could rally behind. , , Through a wildly successful marketing campaign convincing the public (and eventually the federal government) that better roads were needed, The Road Act of 1916 provided the seed money to begin road improvement. The Federal Highway Act of 1921 reflected the need for an interstate road network. This act provided $75 million in funding to state highway departments. , , The Lincoln Highway was once the most famous road in America. It was a testament to the vision and perseverance of entrepreneurs inspired to create the first successful, all-weather, coast-to-coast automobile highway. , , In the early 20th century, as bicycle's popularity gave way to the expanding automotive industry, demand for improved driving conditions increased. Muddy, treacherous stretches, roads plagued by broken down vehicles, and impassable expanses amounting to little more than cow paths were rapidly becoming intolerable to a now mobile public. , ,

Traveling along the Lincoln Highway in Illinois will guide you to an adventure rich in beauty and heritage. You will explore a wide variety of scenic communities that celebrate unique history and culture brought together by the first paved road in Illinois. Rediscover the charm of the American road as you follow the 179 miles of the Illinois Lincoln Highway, where every mile is a story! , , This gazebo project is coordinated by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition, the management agency for the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway. The 179 mile portion of the Lincoln Highway through Illinois is the only section that has received the National Scenic Byway Designation. , www.drivelincolnhighway.com

In 1913, Carl Fisher proposed the "Coast-to-Coast Rock Highway". Eager to put America on wheels, executives from automobile and tire manufacturers quickly joined in the effort. At the inaugural meeting on July 1, 1913, the newly elected President, Henry Joy, proposed the highway be dedicated to the martyred Abraham Lincoln. This became a cause that Americans nationwide could rally behind.

Through a wildly successful marketing campaign convincing the public (and eventually the federal government) that better roads were needed, The Road Act of 1916 provided the seed money to begin road improvement. The Federal Highway Act of 1921 reflected the need for an interstate road network. This act provided $75 million in funding to state highway departments.

The Lincoln Highway was once the most famous road in America. It was a testament to the vision and perseverance of entrepreneurs inspired to create the first successful, all-weather, coast-to-coast automobile highway.

In the early 20th century, as bicycle's popularity gave way to the expanding automotive industry, demand for improved driving conditions increased. Muddy,

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treacherous stretches, roads plagued by broken down vehicles, and impassable expanses amounting to little more than cow paths were rapidly becoming intolerable to a now mobile public.

Traveling along the Lincoln Highway in Illinois will guide you to an adventure rich in beauty and heritage. You will explore a wide variety of scenic communities that celebrate unique history and culture brought together by the first paved road in Illinois. Rediscover the charm of the American road as you follow the 179 miles of the Illinois Lincoln Highway, where every mile is a story!

This gazebo project is coordinated by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition, the management agency for the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway. The 179 mile portion of the Lincoln Highway through Illinois is the only section that has received the National Scenic Byway Designation.
www.drivelincolnhighway.com

Erected by Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln,

The Lincoln Highway gazebo in front of Lincoln-Way Central HS image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025

2. The Lincoln Highway gazebo in front of Lincoln-Way Central HS

The gazebo overlooks Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) in New Lenox, about 40 miles (by car) southwest of Chicago.

and the Lincoln Highway series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1913.

Location. 41° 30.692′ N, 87° 55.787′ 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 one of four under a gazebo 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: Advertising Across America's Roadways (here, next to this marker); American Patriotism on the Highway (here, next to this marker); Village of New Lenox (here, next to this marker); Original Lincoln Highway Marker

Lincoln Highway gazebo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025

3. Lincoln Highway gazebo

An original Lincoln Highway marker is to the left of the gazebo, which houses four historical markers about the Lincoln Highway.

(here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Old Brick Tavern (approx. 0.8 miles away); Ronald "Papa" Schaper (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named The Village of New Lenox (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Lenox.

More about this marker. The gazebo, which houses four historical markers, is one of 16 that were erected by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition along the roadway's 179 miles in the state. An original highway marker, erected by Boy Scouts in 1928, sits next to the gazebo.

Regarding The Lincoln Highway. From New Lenox to the east, the Lincoln Highway travels primarly westward toward Indiana. Towards the west near New Lenox, the highway juts northward through Aurora and then goes west again at Geneva.

Also see . . .
1. Lincoln Highway history. From the Lincoln Highway Association

Excerpt: “The association ceased activity at the end of 1927. Its last major activity was to mark the highway not as a route from one destination to another, but as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln. On September 1, 1928, thousands of Boy Scouts fanned
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025

4. 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.
out along the highway. At an average of about one per mile, they installed small concrete markers with a small bust of Lincoln and the inscription, 'This highway dedicated to Abraham Lincoln.'”

(Submitted on July 20, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. The Lincoln Highway, the Road, and the School. From the New Lenox Area Historical Society

Excerpt: "The route of the Lincoln Highway through New Lenox Township follows an old Indian trail. That Indian trail became a stagecoach route in the 1840s and later a road for horses and wagons and even later automobiles and trucks. Finally, this same route became a part of the national highway, the Lincoln Highway, the first coast to coast road in the U.S."

(Submitted on July 20, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Lincoln-Way Central High School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 19, 2025

5. Lincoln-Way Central High School

The gazebo and markers are in front of the 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 100 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 20, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.