Lincoln Highway Topic of Center for History Program

South Bend, IN – At the Center for History’s Insights in History for Seniors taking place at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, Jan Shupert-Arick, past president of the Lincoln Highway Association and past national director of the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association, will talk about the famous Lincoln Highway. She is author of the recently-published book, The Lincoln Highway Across Indiana and also guest curator for the Center for History’s exhibit, Appeal to Patriots: The Lincoln Highway. A tour of the exhibit is part of the program.

In 1912, Carl Fisher and James Allison conceived the idea of developing a highway that would span the country. Henry Joy, President of the Packard Motor Car company, urged them to name the roadway after Abraham Lincoln. It would have, he said, great patriotic appeal. Thus, the Lincoln Highway was created.

Admission is $3 and reservations are required by August 31.

For information, call (574) 235-9664 or visit http://www.centerforhistory.org/

Welcome to Indiana (Ohio Border)

Entering Indiana from Ohio on US 30. The yellow right turn sign for the Lincoln Highway is already visible in the background. Dave Zollinger photo.

When you are following the Lincoln Highway through Ohio, approaching the Indiana border, you will be travelling on the modern US Highway 30.
As soon as you cross the border into Indiana, prepare to make a right turn onto the route of the old Lincoln Highway.
While you are passing the "Welcome to Indiana" sign, the diamond-shaped yellow sign warning you of the approaching right turn onto the Lincoln Highway will already be coming into view.


Just past the "Welcome to Indiana" sign, this sign lets you know that the Lincoln Highway is just ahead. Dave Zollinger photo.

Once you make the right turn onto the Old Lincoln Highway you'll immediately see a red, white & blue Lincoln Highway sign that lets you know you're on the right track.


As soon as you make the turn from US 30 you'll see the "L" sign. Dave Zollinger photo.

This stretch of the Old Lincoln Highway runs west for several miles before it rejoins modern US 30 again. When you get to New Haven you make a right turn on Green Street, then go left on Lincolnway and head towards Ft. Wayne. You will see the familiar "L" signs from time to time, but if you are going to make the trip you really need a guidebook, or a set of maps, or both.


The familiar "L" signs are located intermittently along the route. Dave Zollinger photo.

One of the very best guidebooks available is Brian Butko's Greetings From The Lincoln Highway. Brian is a great guy and the book is really good. You can find out more about the book here: Greetings From The Lincoln Highway
As far as maps go, you can't do any better than the Lincoln Highway Driving Maps CD available from the Lincoln Highway Trading Post. I have done buisness with LHTP on a couple of occasions and they are great people. You can find out more about the CD here: Lincoln Highway Map CD

Welcome to Indiana. Enjoy Your visit!

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Side Trip - Four Presidents Corners

Four Presidents Corners, Allen County, Indiana. Dave Zollinger photo.

Four Presidents Corners, located outside (north) of Monroeville, is not exactly the kind of thing that many people would call a "must see". It's at the intersection of some country roads, out in the middle of nowhere, and consists basically of a small bridge over a culvert and a flagpole.
However, it is exactly the kind of thing that I like to see. A unique part of the history of Indiana that few people know about today. What's more, the story of how it came to be is related to the Lincoln Highway.
According to the website of the Four Presidents Corners Historical Society, "Sampson Road was a common route to reach Monroeville from the Lincoln Highway".
The intersection of Sampson Road and Maples Road is the junction of four townships that are named after four U.S. presidents. In 1913 Joseph Marquart, a rural mail carrier, promoted the creation of a monument recognizing this unique feature. Although Marquart was killed in a collision in 1915, the Four Presidents Corners Monument was completed, and dedicated before a large crowd in 1917.


View of the monument looking from south to north. Sampson Road runs north behind SNLHEV. Maples Road runs west to the left. Dave Zollinger photo.

If you are going to visit the monument from the Lincoln Highway, I'll warn you that Sampson Road from US 30 to the monument is gravel. If you want to travel on a paved road you might want to consider a different route. We followed Maples Road to Ternet Road and Ternet Road back north to the Lincoln Highway on our return trip and it was a good route.
There is much more information about the Four Presidents Corners monument available at the website: Four Presidents Corners Historical Society

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Holter's Roost - Ft. Wayne, Indiana

1917 photo showing "Holter's Roost" on left and brick house on right. Image from University of Michigan collection.

The other day I was browsing the images at the University of Michigan Lincoln Highway Collection, when I noticed a photo titled "Packard passing houses east of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 14-foot wide concrete". The photo, which is dated 1917, shows two houses, one of which is very unique in appearance. I immediately recognized this house as one that I have seen on the east side of Ft. Wayne near New Haven.


A photo showing the same view as it appears today, looking west on Maumee Road. The brick house is still on the right, partially hidden by signs and clutter. Dave Zollinger photo.

Today the old fieldstone house that is shown in the photo serves as the office for a used car dealership. The "front" of the dealership is actually what used to be the rear of the house, and faces the modern four-lane US 30. The actual front of the house faces the old Lincoln Highway, which is now Maumee Road.


The front of the fieldstone house, "Holter's Roost", that faces Maumee Ave. Dave Zollinger photo.

While my friend Ray and I were researching the history of this unique house we met a gentleman who has lived on this stretch of Maumee Road for 50 years. He told us that the fieldstone house belonged to a man named Holterman. Mr. Holterman was in the business of raising fancy chickens and was quite successful at it, shipping them all over the world. He also ran a grain business. Once he had established himself as a successful businessman, Mr. Holterman hired a stone mason from Canada to build his house which he named "Holter's Roost". The house was constructed using fieldstone from his own property and surrounding farms.


Mr. Holterman named his home "Holter's Roost". Dave Zollinger photo.

The other house shown in the 1917 photo, the one on the right, still stands on Maumee Road as well. It's a nicely maintained brick house that, according to the person we talked to, belonged to a man named Otto Binder at the time that the photo was taken. Mr. Binder was involved in the plumbing business in the Ft. Wayne area.


The former Otto Binder home as it appears today. Dave Zollinger photo.

I really appreciate the gentleman taking his time to talk to us about the history of this stretch of Maumee Road, and a very unique house that still stands along the Lincoln Highway.

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Magic Wand - Churubusco, Indiana

You can't miss the Magic Wand's classic sign when you're driving through Churubusco. Dave Zollinger photo.

"Good Food! Good Service! Daily Specials!" That's what slogan printed on the menu of the Magic Wand restaurant promises. Based on numerous visits to the Churubusco eatery I can tell you, that's also what they deliver.
I have to travel from my hometown of Goshen to Ft. Wayne on a regular basis, so I pass through Churubusco pretty frequently. With plenty of restaurants to choose from when I make the Ft. Wayne trip, the Magic Wand remains one of my very favorites.


See all the cars crowded around the restaurant? What does that tell you? Dave Zollinger photo.

This is not just a burger joint. They have a very complete menu, "meatloaf manhattan" was one of the specials the last time I was there. They also have an extensive selection of ice cream products, and a walk-up outdoor window that is open seasonally.


The Magic Wand has a Lincoln Highway sign on their sign. Dave Zollinger photo.

Owned by the same couple since 1964, the Magic Wand is one of those neat places that you just don't see everywhere these days. It's located right along the Lincoln Highway, and it's worth a stop.

Contact:
Magic Wand
602 South Main Street
Churubusco, Indiana
260-693-3518

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The Kimmell House Inn

The Kimmell House dates to 1876. Dave Zollinger photo.

Just south of the town of Kimmell, Indiana, there is a beautiful brick house located along the Lincoln Highway. It's a perfect setting. The house, which dates back to 1876, is nestled in a large, wooded property on the west side of the road. Once the home of Indiana State Representative Orlando Kimmell and his family, today that beautiful brick house is The Kimmell House Inn bed & breakfast.


The Kimmell House Inn is located along the Lincoln Highway between Ft. Wayne and Goshen. Dave Zollinger photo.

I feel that The Kimmell House Inn is a "must visit" for anyone travelling the Lincoln Highway.
The house is absolutely gorgeous, of course. But more than that, and unlike many b&bs, The Kimmell House Inn has a full-service restaurant that serves lunch (visit their website for hours and details), a coffee bar, and a gift shop.


The Kimmell House Inn has a full-service restaurant, open for lunch. Dave Zollinger photo.

My wife and I enjoyed our visit to the Kimmell House Inn. The staff was very friendly, and the food that was being served to other customers looked and smelled wonderful. Unfortunately we were due elsewhere and couldn't stay for lunch. However, we vowed to make this the destination for our next getaway weekend.


The Kimmell House Inn is worth visiting just to see. Dave Zollinger photo.

If you are travelling the Lincoln Highway between Goshen and Ft. Wayne and need a place to stay, I would suggest the The Kimmell House Inn.
If you are just passing through, whether it's to have lunch, a cup of coffee or tea, or just to see this beautiful house, definitely plan to stop and visit.

Contact:
The Kimmell House Inn
1397 N. U.S. Hwy. 33
Kimmell, Indiana 46760
260-635-2193
http://www.kimmellhouseinn.com/

Map to The Kimmell House Inn:


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Old 33 Alignment - South of Ligonier

The north end of the Old 33 alignment, looking towards the south. Old 33/Lincoln Highway on the left, current US 33 on the right. Dave Zollinger photo.

The Old US 33 alignment that is located just south of Ligonier, Indiana, is one of the most well known features of the Lincoln Highway in the state. As well it should be. It's easy to find, it's well marked with "L" signs, but best of all it's still brick!


A different perspective on the same section as the previous image. Note the brick construction. Dave Zollinger photo.


A view looking east from the west end of the alignment section. Dave Zollinger photo.

If you want to visit this old section of the Lincoln Highway just go to the intersection US 33 and US 6 on the south side of Ligonier. Turn south on US 33/SR 5 and go just about exactly one mile. The alignment section will be on your left.


This historical marker is located adjacent to the Lincoln Highway section. Dave Zollinger photo.

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