Near Verdi in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Lincoln Highway Bridge Rails
The "Coast to Coast" Lincoln Highway
Towns all across the nation were anxious to have the "Main Street of America" pass their way and went all out to advertise the route. Washoe County had been criticized for not marking their part of the route. So in 1914, contractor A.F. Neidt, when building a new culvert about 0.9 miles east of here took it upon himself to mark the highway with these unique rails.
H.E. Frederickson, (pictured) Consul-at-large of the Lincoln Highway Association was so impressed with the rails that he proposed this design for all Lincoln Highway bridges clear across the country. Only one other such set of bridge rails were ever built, in Tama, Iowa, the following year in 1915.
In later years, when the highway numbering system replaced named highways, this route became U.S. 40 and was eventually realigned.
During the early 1970's, when Interstate 80 replaced U.S. 40, the Nevada Department of Transportation salvaged the old bridge rails from the long abandoned Lincoln Highway and put them on display here.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles . In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 39° 30.56′ N, 119° 56.25′ W. Marker is near Verdi, Nevada, in Washoe County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 80 at milepost 6. Marker is located at scenic vista overlook/pullout from the I-80 eastbound lanes after Exit 5 (Mogul). Marker can only be accessed from the eastbound lanes of the freeway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Verdi NV 89439, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Truckee Trail - River Crossings (within shouting distance of this marker); Truckee Trail - 23rd Crossing (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Great Train Robbery (approx. 2.8 miles away); Inyo Marble Works (approx. 2.8 miles away); Henness Pass Road O'Neill Station (approx. 2.9 miles away); Verdi (approx. 3 miles away); Truckee Trail - Last Crossing (approx. 3.1 miles away); Crystal Peak Toll Bridge (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Verdi.
Also see . . . Lincoln Highway Association. Official Website (Submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 693 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on August 3, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on November 3, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.