The Lincoln Highway: Coast to Coast from Times Square to the Golden Gate

I enjoy information and text about traveling the U.S.- excellent read and photos…

lots of photos and info on points of interest. it makes us want to drive it

Route 66 is more firmly embedded in American pop history and culture, but the Lincoln Highway is older and it arguably has a stronger claim to being the most important American long-distance highway. Dedicated in October 1913, the original route went from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. I have a personal fondness for the Lincoln Highway by virtue of growing up near it in Pennsylvania and driving it frequently as a youngster, between Philadelphia and Lancaster; moreover, my oldest son now lives within a mile of the Lincoln Highway in Laramie, Wyoming (where I drove on it last weekend).So THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY is a natural for me. The congenial text is by Michael Wallis and the scores of color photographs were taken by Michael S. Williamson. The book is organized as a road trip from east to west, from New York City to San Francisco. There are thirteen chapters, one for each of the thirteen states through which the Lincoln Highway passes. The text is about equally divided between history and a current (as of 2007) travelogue.The Lincoln Highway has been superseded by the interstates, principally by I-80. Driving the interstates, one gets there faster but one sees much less of America. THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY highlights many interesting places and people, among them:* Lincoln Garage (its motto is "Don't cuss, call us") and owner Gene Bellardo, in Langhorne, Pa.* The Haines Shoe House, in Hallam, Pa.* Gene Amos, "the Chester Pie Man", in Chester, W.V.* Balyeat's, a third-generation restaurant and coffee shop in Van Wert, Ohio* Steve Smith and the Smith Brothers General Store in Clinton, Iowa* Preston filling station, Belle Plaine, Iowa* The desolate remains of Smitty's Truck Stop, in Pine Bluff, Wyo. (killed off by I-80)* Orr's Ranch, Skull Valley, Utah* Truckee Hotel, opened in 1873 in the Donner Pass, Cal., 26 years after the ill-fated Donner-Reed Party passed through (with some dying there).The highest and best use of the book probably would be as a companion for one's own trip along the Lincoln Highway or a portion of it. One would also need a current detailed map (a weakness of the book is the absence of any maps other than the stylized one on the cover). But as a history and a travel guide, this book would be ideal. I hope to take it with me on such a trip someday.

Book was in great condition, just as advertised!

Just what I was looking for!Curious about the construction, location, and destinations along the Lincoln Highway. This book answered my questions.

An excellent historical view of the Lincoln Highway, broken down by each state the highway passes through. I had hoped that maps or map segments by sate would have been included but unfortunately they are not

Bought this for my husband, who loves road trips, visiting historic points of interest and old diners. He loves it! Now we have a list of places to go and see, diners to eat in. It gives intensive history on buildings, landmarks, cities and, filled with lots of pictures of past and present. A good companion for travelers who are into our countries earlier beginnings.

Route 66 has certainly been the Mother Road (thanks, John), but the Lincoln Highway may be the Father Road. It is amazing that one can still travel many parts of this great, old highway and see the real America as it has been for a century. My disappointment with the book is that it needed maps of the Highway in each state. But for sheer love of the road, this is it.

Beautifully informative book. Can't wait to drive the road this year.

Great trip down the Lincoln Highway, with many pictures of past and present buildings. If you want to take a drive down this road, this is an excellent guide!! You can just read the book and take a holiday down memory lane, which is rewarding.

Das Buch gibt einen tollen Überblick über Nordamerika, wie es zum Teil auch geschichtlich entstanden ist. Schade dass die Wirklichkeit so viel kaputt macht.

Would have given it a 5 but never gave anything a 5.

Sehr schönes Buch mit vielen interessanten Details und toller Aufmachung. Die alten Bilder sind sehenswert. Der Einband und das Format gefallen mir sehr gut.