Village of New Lenox

Village of New Lenox. Lincoln Highway. The Village of New Lenox, originated as a small settlement along the shores of Hickory Creek, a winding tributary of the Des Plaines River southwest of Chicago. Settlers were attracted to the waterway, and its surrounding groves and fertile lands making the village an ideal agricultural community. , , Area business and farms located directly on the highway or nearby thrived due to the increased automobile traffic. Village stores adapted to the needs of the automobile traveler by installing gas pumps and carrying supplies to service the customer and the car. Recognizing the benefits of the Lincoln Highway and the potential for growth, New Lenox prospered while retaining its identity as an agricultural settlement. , , From the beginning concept of the Lincoln Highway, New Lenox was proud to become involved in its development. The village straightened the main thoroughfare that would become the Lincoln Highway to ensure a direct route for the road to travel under the Wabash railroad viaduct. This was the first paved road in New Lenox which opened up the opportunity for local farmers to market their harvest to Chicago. , , While Traveling the Lincoln Highway... , . Lincoln Highway Interpretive Murals now in Creston, DeKalb and Rochelle, with forty more planned along the highway. , . Lincoln Highway Interpretive Exhibit is located in the Dixon Welcome Center. , . Lincoln Highway's First Concrete Mile, the Seeding Mile, is located in Malta. , . Interactive Kiosk is located at the Phillips Park Visitors Center in Aurora. , . Check the web site for locations of the Lincoln Highway traveling exhibit. , www.drivelincolnhighway.com ,

The Interpretive Gazebo Project was partially funded through a National Scenic Byway Grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), with support from the Village of New Lenox. The project was coordinated by the Lincoln Highway Coalition, the management agency for the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway. Grant funds were provided to tell the history and heritage of the Lincoln Highway in Illinois and stories of our corridor communities.