Creston in Ogle County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Illinois Lincoln Highway
Water Fountains Along the Way
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
1. Illinois Lincoln Highway Marker
With the construction of the Lincoln Highway came many opportunities for community growth and recognition. Illinois was the only state to be awarded the Lincoln Highway drinking fountains by working to achieve the standards required. The fountains were donated free of charge by Carl Parker in memory of his mother, Amanda Sutherland Parker who had grown up in the Garden Plain area of Whiteside County.
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 stopped to drink would see it."
Standards required to be awarded a Lincoln Highway drinking fountain:
The name of the street that Lincoln Highway traversed through town had to be changed to Lincoln Way."
The entire route through town had to be marked with the painted LH signs.
The town had to agree to assume the expense of installing and maintaining the fountains.
Erected by Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition & America's Byways.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it
this page online
Location. 41° 55.883′ N, 88° 57.871′ W. Marker is in Creston, Illinois, in Ogle County. It is on North Main Street just north of East North Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition interpretive gazebo on the south side of Creston Village Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 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 as the crow flies: Lincoln Highway (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Illinois Lincoln Highway (here, next to this marker); The Lincoln Highway - The nations first coast-to-coast highway! (here, next to this marker); Creston (within shouting distance of this marker); The History of Headons (within shouting distance of this marker); The Water Fountain and Mile Marker Below (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln Highway Seedling Mile (approx. 4½ miles away); The Lincoln Highway The nation's first coast-to-coast highway! (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Creston.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition - Creston
Also see . . .
Lincoln Highway Digital Image Collection, Special Collections, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
2. Marker detail: The Lincoln Highway Fountain in Creston
Excerpt: Established in 1912 by early automotive entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway is regarded as the countrys first transcontinental route and is affectionately known as the Father Road. Inspired by the Good Roads Movement and the National Old Trails Road, the Lincoln Highway was also the first route constructed specifically for automobile use, catalyzed by the need for all-weather, hard-surfaced, durable roads and the idea that the route would showcase what roads could be.(Submitted on June 16, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Illinois has the distinguished honor of being the first state to complete its segment through the dedication and hard work of the communities along the route. The first federal highway funding legislation would not be established until the 1916 Federal Aid Road Act was signed into law, which provided federal subsidies for road-building efforts for the first time in the nation's history. Due to the lack of public funding, individuals and communities funded and undertook the physical construction of the Lincoln Highway. In turn, the highway provided an economic boost to the communities located along the route, earning the nickname The Main Street of America.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
3. Illinois Lincoln Highway Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
4. Illinois Lincoln Highway Marker
This is one of four related markers in the Creston Village Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition interpretive gazebo.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
5. Lincoln Highway Water Fountain Replica
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
6. Lincoln Highway Water Fountain & Mile Post
Water fountain replica and Lincoln Highway Mile Post on exhibit across North Main Street from the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 16, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
