Lincoln Highway

Illinois Lincoln Highway Highlights (outside Chicagoland)

June 17, 2013 by Cece

I’ve lived in Illinois for several years, and have driven the Lincoln Highway in these parts a few times. As noted in the previous post, navigating the highway is very easy to do in this state thanks to its excellent signage. There’s some memorable points along the route that one should check out once the traffic of Chicago is far behind you, and these are my personal highlights of this last trip in Western Illinois.

1) The Loveland Community House

George and Emma Loveland lived in Dixon, Illinois their whole lives, but traveled extensively. When they both passed away, they noted in their will and testament that all of their estate funds and belongings from their travels would be donated to the city of Dixon. With this endowment, a museum and community center was built that has continued to serve the community in a number of ways. The museum has one of the most eclectic but fun collections I’ve ever seen (it also includes donations from other Dixon Locals too), as well as meeting rooms and a huge auditorium. I performed my 3rd Illinois concert here and it was a fantastic show. You can see video of some of the songs from this performance on my new YouTube page.

2) The John Deere Historic Site

While this site is not on the Lincoln Highway (it’s about 5 miles from Dixon in Grand Detour), make the journey to visit this place. Between the Archeological Site, the resident Blacksmith doing demonstrations, the gardens, and the original home, you will really get a wonderful, interactive glimpse into life in Grand Detour in the early to mid 1800s.

3) City of Dixon, Illinois

For a population of 16,000, Dixon has a lot going on! The biggest claim to fame is that Ronald Reagan spent his boyhood here, and you can tour this home as well as follow the Reagan Trail. There’s a lot of Lincoln Highway sights here too (see in pictures below), plus there’s five gorgeous state parks all within a short driving distance of the highway.

4) De Immigrant Windmill, Fulton Illinois

Who knew an operating Windmill was in Western Illinois? Originally built in the Netherlands, disassembled and shipped to Fulton. They process 5 different grains in this mill (depending on how the wind is that day), and you can buy it on site. Check out the Windmill Cultural Center next door too, you can see really intricate models of dozens of different types of windmills from all over the world.

Other Lincoln Highway related sites include the Lincoln Highway Association Headquarters in Franklin Grove, IL (they’ve got so much cool stuff there, make sure you have a whole afternoon to check it out), plus the seedling mile in Malta, IL (right in front of the community college). There’s plenty of things to see and do along the route in the “Land of Lincoln”, you easily could do multiple trips.

Here’s a few snapshots of all of the places that I’ve mentioned, plus a couple extra surprises :-) – Enjoy!

Backstage at the Loveland Auditorium. We had lots of room!

Robert Haigler, Me, and Colin Bazali after the show.

There’s some great artwork in Loveland, but there’s something about this woman that intrigues me.

This is a Friendship Quilt dating back to the late 1800s.

This Dixon couple decided to married on Roller skates back in 1939. You can see her roller skates and picture in the museum.

In Victorian Times, people would save the hair of a loved one who has passed on as a memento. Some women actually took this hair and turned it into art, and this is one of a few hair sculptures in the museum.

Here’s the caption to the previous photo.

The person I was staying with in Grand Detour lived next door to the former Colonial Rose Inn and Restaurant. The owner of the home was nice enough to let me in and I got to walk around and check the place out!

This is the main stairwell in the Colonial Rose Inn. Loved the chandelier!

Sculpture of John Deere. He first made his living by being a blacksmith, and to this day there are blacksmiths that forge items near his original shop.

I had the privilege of getting to tour parts of the grounds off limits to the general public, which included a stop in the children’s bedroom and play area of the Deere family.

One of the reasons that amongst others that the John Deere Historic Site is a must see if the Archeological Site. In the 1960’s a team of Archeologists uncovered John Deere’s original location where he made his first self-scouring steel plow. The whole area has been preserved, and this picture is just one section.

There are murals like this all along the route in Illinois that not only are beautiful, but they are informative as well.

The Dixon Welcome Center has a lot of great information as well as a Lincoln Highway Interpretive Exhibit. Make sure you ask for a sample of their Petunia Wine, it’s really good!

Picture of me in front of the Ronald Reagan boyhood home. Thanks to Jeanne with the Dixon Tourism Board for giving me such a great tour!

One of my favorite parts of seeing the Reagan Boyhood home was this part of the house. When Ronald Reagan toured the home on opening day with his brother, he pointed out the fireplace tile in the living room where he used to hide his money so his brother wouldn’t take it. There was no money underneath the tile and the President didn’t carry any change with him, so his brother put the pennies there that you see now.

This sculpture of Ronald Reagan on a palomino is along Dixon’s beautiful and newly completed riverfront along the Rock River.

The Wings of Peace and Freedom Park in Dixon includes a full-size replica of a section of the Berlin Wall, which recognizes President Reagan’s efforts to attain worldwide peace and freedom.

This is an actual piece of the Berlin Wall which has been cemented into the sculpture.

This sculpture is the “Fishing Dutchman” and he’s in Fulton too.

Here’s another view of the windmill, this time from below. It was not in operation the day I visited-the winds were too unpredictable.

These a smaller representations of the grindstones used on the mill itself.

I LOVE these t-shirts! But seriously, the volunteers at the De Immigrant Windmill are really cool, I had a lot of fun hanging out with them.

This is what the Lincoln Highway signs look like in Illinois.

View of the Mississippi River from the Windmill, with Clinton, Iowa across the bank.

Up next, I’ll be taking a break from my road reporting and doing a special surprise post, so stay tuned to see what it is!

Western Ohio Highlights (including the J&M Trading Post)

June 1, 2013 by Cece

When I was visiting with New York Director Jerry Peppers at the beginning of this tour, he handed me a postcard with a red building on it. He said, “If you can swing it, stop by this place. Nancy and Joe are lovely people and they are true fans of the highway.”

The J&M Trading Post Antique Shop lies about 20 miles West of Mansfield, Ohio. Built in 1830, it has been store of some type in continuous operation ever since its opening and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it is an antique store full of wonderful things as well as Lincoln Highway souvenirs (Note that if you are thinking of making a visit here, you should call them beforehand; they open the place by appointment only). But what makes this stop special is the people who have taken care of the place all of these years – Nancy and Joe Everly.

From the time I was greeted to the time that I drove away, Nancy and Joe became my family to me for that hour I spent at the store. When I told them who I was and what I was doing along the route, Nancy said, “I know who you are! I saw you in the paper yesterday!” She brought down a big box of vintage sheet music for me, and I looked through it. Whatever music I wanted, she said I could keep it and take it with me. We laughed over all of the crazy song titles from the time like “You Can’t Get Along With’em or Without’em, You’ve Got to Have Them, That’s All!” and “Take Your Wife to the Movies (If She Won’t Make Love at Home)”. In that short visit, I found my new “old friend” along the road. Definitely take the time to stop here, it will be worth the trip.

The rest of my time in Western Ohio was pretty much spent in Lima relaxing with an old friend, as well as exploring the Allen County museum in the city. I did take pictures of murals and markers in Crestline, Bucryus, and Delphos, which are all below in my latest photo gallery. Enjoy!

Outside of the J&M Trading Post with the American Songline-Mobile.

Here’s me in front of the famous blackboard at the trading post. It tells the history of the building.

While perusing all of the beautiful antiques in the store, I came upon the sheet music of “Beautiful Ohio” one of the songs that is on the touring program!

Love this directional sign outside of the store. All four sides are covered, and here’s one side.

This Lincoln Highway Marker is across the street from the trading post. It is not an original marker.

This is one of two 1922 Lincoln Highway Markers in Crestline, Ohio.

The “Great American Crossroad” Mural in Bucyrus Ohio is so big, I had to photograph sections of it! Here’s the main middle section of the mural.

Here’s a Lincoln Highway detail in this very same mural, middle left hand side

If you’re standing in front of the Bucyrus mural, these two windows will be on the far left hand side.

LH Marker that is in downtown Bucyrus and “faces” the mural.

The Allen County Museum in Lima, Ohio has a Mini-Lincoln Highway exhibit in their outdoor park.

This is a typed transcription of a letter written by John Dillinger’s girlfriend while he was in prison in Lima.

There were a lot of neat exhibits at the Allen County Museum, and this was one of them. It had beautiful instruments, old opera programs and other performance mementos.

Original gravel stretch of the highway heading westward towards Indiana.

The road beckons! My next post will be about my performance in Indiana as well as photos from the road both in Indiana and in Eastern Illinois (which is part of “Chicagoland” as it’s called). Until then, have a good weekend!

The Hayesville Opera House: The Best Place to Step Back in Time – Literally

May 30, 2013 by Cece

As of today, I’m now almost ten performances into this tour, and every venue I’ve performed in holds a unique space in my mind and heart. The Hayesville Opera House is an amazing venue for a musician like me, and I wish I could take this venue with me everywhere I go so you all could see hear what everyone in central Ohio sees regularly.

Built in 1886, this opera house has been restored back to its original glory, and is on the National Register as a historical landmark. From the time I walked into the venue for my rehearsal, this place took my breath away. From the hat racks under the wooden seats to the hand-painted backdrops, I was blown away at the preservation of this venue. The acoustics were perfect; it was an absolute dream to perform there.

View of the seating area — View from the stage of the seating area. That is cast iron stove in the back was used to originally heat the place, but is no longer in use.

View from the seats — This is a view of the stage from the seats. The piano is on the floor on the right hand side, and that backdrop (painted in Chicago) is an original from 1886.

Another Backdrop — Here is another hand painted backdrop I found backstage. If you go to the Opera house’s website, you can see a photo of this same backdrop which was used in a play in 1916.

Ceiling Detail — Here’s a picture detailing the tin ceiling (added in 1907), and motif work on the walls.

The Opera House is located in a very small town on the highway, which is a pity. I’m sure this venue has been so well-kept all of this time because of its location, but places like these need to be seen and experienced. The president of the restoration board is Dave Roepke, and he was so kind to not only play the piano for my performance, but he let me wander everywhere in the space to take photographs. I’ve performed on stages all over the world, and I’ve never seen as much backstage graffiti as I did in this place. I spent a long time reading all of the names, shows, and dates that people have left over 125+ years (including a disputed signature from Buffalo Bill in 1888). I too left my mark on that place, as you’ll see below.

Buffalo Bill? — If you look closely, you can see what appears to be a signature from Buffalo Bill.

Oldest confirmed signature — This signature is definitely one of if not the earliest I found on the walls.

Dressing Room — There are four dressing room at the Hayesville Opera House, and to me this one had the most interesting writing and drawings on the walls. Plus note in the photo that you can see an original gas lamp too!

My mark — I was very happy to “make my mark” in the dressing room you saw in the last picture.

I had a fantastic time performing in this venue, and would definitely perform there again. You can read more about my performance in Hayesville from Jamie at My Lincoln Highway here, or to read Denny Gibson’s review, click here. I’ll leave you with two more shots of me in at this lovely theatre. I am standing in front of the main curtain, and once picture is in color, and the other is in black and white. If you compare my black and white photo to the historic photos in this link, I think you’ll see that there’s not much difference between the two.

Up next, a short but sweet post about Western Ohio. Until then, keep listening for those songlines!

Sightseeing in Eastern Ohio with My Lincoln Highway

May 25, 2013 by Cece

I have to admit, while it’s fun to explore these places by myself it’s good to have company with you from time to time. And that’s where Jamie from My Lincoln Highway comes in. She walks and photographs sections of the highway in detail, and I’m happy to say I parked the car and walked with her through some beautiful sections of the highway in Eastern Ohio.

Jamie and I spent a Saturday following the Lincoln from Hanoverton to Massillon Ohio, and then also the following Tuesday going from Massillon to Wooster. Again, I won’t duplicate what Jamie wrote in this post, this other post, as well as anything I wrote about when I visited Canton last year for the 2012 LHA conference (to read that post click here).

Here’s my top 5 highlights of the area in words (you can read more in detail in the photo gallery below):

1) First off, I loved walking around Hanoverton. I’ve never been to colonial Williamsburg, but I can imagine Hanoverton being very similar. The Spread Eagle Tavern is definitely a neat place to walk around itself, every room has its own history. If you are watching your budget while traveling, I recommend going for lunch in lieu of dinner. The food is just as good, and you’ll save a few pennies.

2) The McKinley Memorial is a lovely tribute to our 25th president. He wasn’t discussed much during my history classes growing up, so I learned a lot about his life and presidency. Plus, you can get your exercise in running up and down all those stairs!

3) The Massillon Museum has some great collections in it, plus there’s another Lincoln Highway marker right out of front of it. There will be a Lincoln Highway exhibit coming soon, plus you should go try to find both “Oscar” and “Harvey”. Free admission.

4) Downtown Wooster is slowly being revitalized, and there’s some great shops and antique stores that are fun to browse in. The Wayne County Courthouse is neat architectural find along the route; I’ve not seen a building of its type and condition yet.

5) Last but not least, any roads made out of brick. I know it may seem funny to you, but sometimes we have to look at what’s underneath our feet to appreciate our history. There’s some beautiful old red brick stretches of the highway along the route, and nothing transport you back in time faster than hearing your tires rumble as you drive slowly along the road. There are a few stretches of brick road along this route, and you can find where they are on Lincoln Highway Association’s Map: http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/map/ (make sure the “Points of Interest” box is clicked on the right hand side, and zoom in).

FYI – I’m finding it easier as time goes on to upload photo galleries with all of my images below; it not only means those photos will be easier for you to see, but it’s a quicker turnaround (internet access/time permitting) for me to get updates to you as well. Comment away if you think this format is not working for you all, and I’ll adjust.

Beautiful stretch of red brick road just outside of Minvera, Ohio.

This the sign that hangs outside of the Spread Eagle Tavern, waiting to greet you.

When we were in town for lunch, there were also dozens of Mennonites there eating lunch and touring the city on a separate tour.

View of the Chandelier in the Rathskellar of the tavern

Several rooms that we toured all had fireplaces, and each fireplace had its own mosaic of tiles around it. I think this one is my favorite.

Brick sidewalk in Hanoverton, which has warped and changed over the years due to the tree roots growing under it.

An old building in downtown Canton on the highway.

I was not able to go to the McKinley Memorial when I was in Canton last year, so I had to go this year. It was absolutely stunning. Definitely worth a stop – it’s not that far from the Lincoln Highway at all.

View from the top of the stairs of the Memorial.

Jamie from My Lincoln Highway says “Hi”!

This memorial done by the Lincoln Highway Association in 1949 can be found at the base of the McKinley Memorial.

This 1907-1908 Jewel Automobile in its day would have cost you around $800. This is on display at the Massillon museum which is located right on the highway.

This mural can be found in Massillon right off the highway as well. It depicts the Ohio and Erie Canals.

This stretch of Red Brick is right outside of Wooster, and was originally part of the highway.

I’ve never seen edging of brick like this before, plus it’s interesting to note the two brick patterns.

The beautiful Faber building, which is in downtown Wooster.

The Wayne County Courthouse is also another great example of what you’ll see when you walk in downtown Wooster.

Up next, I’ll be dedicating a post to my performance in the Hayesville Opera house. Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Driving the Lincoln Highway in Western Pennsylvania: A review of sights from Stoystown to Ohio

May 20, 2013 by Cece

To all my faithful readers out there, I apologize for the delay in posting this. Between server troubles and a lack of internet access, this post has been re-written over 5 times. Argh! But I won’t let that get me down.

The fun continues in the Keystone State for this post! I was in this section of Pennsylvania for about ten days and did two shows, and I have to say I loved my time in this part of the state too. What also made this part of the journey so wonderful for me was all of the great support that I got from local Lincoln Highway enthusiasts. After my short time there, I feel I can now call them good friends, which is the best gift anyone can have.

One of these people is author and local history buff Jennifer Sopko, who not only wrote a wonderful article about me for the Latrobe bulletin but she also talked about our day out and about in Westmoreland County on her website. Click here to read that post. I won’t replicate all of what she wrote, but I will definitely include a few pictures of our adventure below. She mentions Louise with Westmoreland Heritage, who is another valuable resource for the area. Do check out her website if you plan to explore this part of state.

I actually did two performances in this area, one in Ligonier at the Town Hall (an amazing place to perform), and the other was for the Lincoln Highway Festival in Latrobe which were both fantastic performances. The new Lincoln Highway Experience museum is a must see for any Lincoln Highway fan, so plan to make a stop if you are driving in the area.

After staying in Greensburg, I then went to Pittsburgh for several days to get caught up on all of the wonderful things I had seen so far on this journey. I had the honor of not only having lunch with Jennifer but also with two great Lincoln Highway giants: Brian Butko (one of the foremost experts on the road) and Rick Sebak (Producer of the show “A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway“). I did some more Lincoln Highway exploring and all in all took stock on this great part of the trip.

Now, without further ado, here’s some photos from this part of the tour. Enjoy the pictures, and I’ll be posting about my time in Ohio very soon!

This is the outside of the Ligonier Town Hall, which is right off the Lincoln Highway in downtown Ligonier.

Right outside of the town hall is a Lincoln Highway marker, telling you to head straight ahead.

Here’s the front of Ligonier’s LH marker, which is still in pretty good shape.

Here’s me performing at the Ligonier Town Hall! My accompanist is Aaron Gray, and the song I’m performing is (Preparing for) The Lincoln Way by Nolan Stolz. This piece and one other were composed by him specifically for this tour.

While I was staying in Greensburg, I was able to go to the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. There’s a lot of great exhibits there, so definitely check it out! This is painting is of course President Lincoln himself, this time without a beard.

As Jennifer talked about in her blog post, our first stop on our adventure was at Hanna’s Town. Here’s a picture of one of the original cabins from the late 1700’s.

Hanna’s town not only has structures from the 1700’s, but tour guides dress and live from that time period as well. They grow an extensive garden in raised beds, which was common practice for that time period. Our tour guide noted the new resident in one of the beds-a toad. Louise’s daughter named him Frank, and in my mind he will always be Frank the toad.

Louise with Westmoreland Heritage and her family have been active with Hanna’s town for several year. This is her daughter showing off her awesome stilt-walking skills.

This was the opening day for Hanna’s Town this season, so there were some extra fun things going on, including some re-enactors showing off military drills for the late 1700’s.

As Jennifer noted, we stopped by the Lincoln Highway exhibit in the Ligonier Library on Saturday. There were so many wonderful things to the whole collection, including this collection of vintage clothing. It’s there until the end of June, so make sure you go down to basement to check it out!

This awesome barn mural is located outside of Stoystown, PA. I love the middle section; it shows that women were taking to the roads just as quickly as the men did a century ago.

There’s a lot of cool Roadside Giants along the Lincoln Highway, but I think this one is my favorite. You can find this one near where Route 30/219 Interchange.

I couldn’t find this mural on my initial expeditions in the area, but Jennifer and I found it! This mural you can see driving Eastbound through Stoystown.

This Pop-Art gas pump can be found by the Mountain Playhouse/Green Gables in Jennerstown.

This giant sculpture can be found just outside of Ligonier.

This gas pump is across from Idlewild Park, which is the oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania and the third oldest operating amusement park in the United States.

This is the back of the gas pump found at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. Every single pump was painted on every side, and I personally like the back of this one better than the front of the pump.

This pump is at the Lincoln Highway Experience museum.

The Ship Hotel was an important fixture along the Lincoln Highway in this part of the country until it was destroyed by a fire. Many artifacts and souvenirs were donated to the Lincoln Highway Experience Museum, including this chair from the restaurant within the hotel.

I had an awesome time at The Lincoln Highway Festival! I met Michaela, who has dressed up for school as W.A.C. woman. The day of the festival she wore her awesome “civilian” gear, shoes and all.

I had a great time having lunch with these folks. From left to right: Me, Brian Butko, Jennifer Sopko and Rick Sebak.

This Mural can be found in the Strip District of Pittsburgh.

This is statue of Abraham Lincoln, which can be found at the intersection of the William Penn and Lincoln Highways in Wilkinsburg. It was erected in 1918, stolen in 1982, knocked loose in 1992, and then restored and returned to its rightful place in 2002.

This old firehouse is in Pittsburgh along the Lincoln.

This part of the Lincoln Highway in Glenfield is a yellow brick road (about 1.5 miles). It had rained that day, hence why it has the extra shimmer.

Thanks to Jan (my friend and host for the week while I was in town) for bringing me to this spot. Watching the city turn from day to night was pretty amazing.

No more brick in this section of the highway! This was shot right outside of Ohioville.

“The Beginning Point” is a monument at the border between the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania, on the north side of the Ohio River. It is significant as being the point from which would open what was then the Northwest Territory for settlement in 1785. It is located near the three-way intersection of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the northern tip of West Virginia.

Take a Step Back in Time at the Lincoln Motor Court

May 11, 2013 by Cece

If you’re out near Bedford, PA and taking a trip along the Lincoln Highway, the Lincoln Motor Court is a place that will instantly transport you to how it truly felt to travel by car all of those years ago.

This place is NOT a chain hotel, so leave your modern conceptions of what a hotel should be like at the door. It is the one of the oldest if not the oldest motor court in the country. The owners Bob and Debbie have put their heart and souls into making this place be what it is for 30 years. The sinks date from the 1940s, but Bob told me that people have been staying in that area of Bedford way before that time. He explains, “Cars overheated easily by the time they got to the top of this hill we’re standing on. The building that’s across from us used to be a hotel/gas station/restaurant (formerly known as the Lincoln Hotel). When the spot couldn’t keep up with the demand, they built this motor court so the additional traffic would have a place to stay. We’ve had couples who have told us they spent their honeymoon here in the mid 1930s, so we think they must have updated the sinks to keep up with the times.”

Here’s a couple photos of the Lincoln Hotel (Bob and Debbie say this property has been abandoned for years):

The Lincoln Motor Court has 12 cottages in total – you can pull your car right up to your door! All cottages have the feel of the past (both interior and exterior), but they do have some modern conveniences to keep you happy (Cable TV, Wifi, Fridge, some have Microwaves). There are two acres of land that you can roam, plus an area where you can build a fire. Each cabin I saw had both a full or queen sized bed plus a twin bed, so you can sleep multiple people comfortably (It IS bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside-a reference for all you Doctor Who fans out there). For those who are exploring this part of Pennsylvania, the Lincoln Motor Court is a great mid-point for you to explore and check out all of the places I talked about in my previous post.

Now without further ado, here’s some pictures of what one of the cabins look like, restored back to its glory:

There are so many things that make this place special to me, but what makes it the most special are the owners Bob and Debbie themselves. They made feel like I was family from the moment I drove up, and I’ll never forget their hospitality and warmth, and I look forward to staying with them again when I’m in the area.

If you are traveling in the area, please try to stop and stay with them if you can-it should not be missed. For more information about the Lincoln Motor Court and/or to make a reservation, head over to their website.

*Note: I was not compensated for my stay for this post, and all of the opinions are completely my own. Thanks!

Driving the Lincoln in Central Pennsylvania: A review of sights from Malvern to Stoystown

May 9, 2013 by Cece

As I’ve noted before, I’ve not ever been to this part of the country before. With no relatives in Pennsylvania, there’s never been a reason to come out here. My week I spent in this area was wonderful. I felt like I was living in a mix of both Colorado and Ireland again. The mountain lifestyle combined with the stone buildings made it easy for me to feel “at home”.

I stayed at two different places along this part of the highway, including the famous Lincoln Motor Court (more on my stay there in a future post), and The Gettysburg Hotel. But what made the drive so memorable besides the scenery are the unique murals, artwork installations, and memorable shops that make the Lincoln Highway worth the drive [thanks in part to the great effort of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor (LHHC)]. You feel like you’re discovering a local secret, which has still been untapped after all of these years.

I have hundreds of photos that can’t even come close to encapsulating how awesome and beautiful this part of the road is, but I’ll try. Here’s some of the highlights from this leg of the tour:

The Dutch Haven gift store has been a fixture in Lancaster County has been a fixture on the highway since the 1920’s.

This is part of the original store at the Dutch Haven, which has since expanded into a store that carries around 10,000 items.

This is a close up of a statue of Lincoln in Gettysburg. This statue is accurate in every way, including the detail of Lincoln’s hands.

Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Shop is a MUST visit. This place is a lot of fun, and there really is something for everyone here. Free admission.

This is just one excerpt of Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum, which contains over 10,000 elephants of all shapes and sizes.

One panel of a Lincoln Highway Mural. You can find this mural in Chambersburg on the Lincoln Lanes building.

There are several huge Roadside sculptures along the highway, but I think this one is my favorite. You can find this one near Shatzer’s Fruit Market heading West out of Chambersburg.

There’s lots of boom and bust along the Lincoln, and here’s an old probable house/business ruin just outside of St. Thomas, PA.

Another great Lincoln Highway Mural, this one can be found near Bingham’s Orchard.

There are dozens of these decorated gas pumps along the route, and this one of “Vincent Van Gas” can be found at the Lincoln Garage in downtown Schellsburg.

One of the most famous fixtures of the Lincoln Highway was the Ship Hotel, which sat at this mountain overlook on Allegheny Mountain for 69 years before it was destroyed in a fire.

You can see a picture of what the Ship Hotel looked like at this mural not too far away from the site at Route 30 Antiques in Central City.

Also at Route 30 Antiques, this gas pump was dedicated to the Ship Hotel as well.

About 5 miles south of the Lincoln Highway sits the memorial for Flight 93. It’s a solemn but beautiful place, and definitely a must visit. While you are not allowed to walk on the crash site (nor should anyone!), you are welcome to photograph it.

Duppstadt’s Country Store Sign, found in Buckstown/Stoystown

This gas pump can be found at Duppstadt’s Country Store, a fixture on the highway since 1904.

I think this barn mural about the Lincoln speaks for itself.

Up next, I’ll be writing about my stay at the Lincoln Motor Court, which is truly a wonderful step back in time. Until then, happy travels wherever you may go!

Summary of Eastern Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Surroundings)

May 7, 2013 by Cece

Hi all!

I apologize for the delay in posting. I was in an area of Pennsylvania where internet access was hard to come by for most of the week. Combine that with hearing about the loss of a dear old friend/American Songline supporter and two performances this past weekend, I now have the time to update you on my travels. Expect a lot of posts over the next few days, and then I’ll go back to a more weekly schedule on here.

I was in the Philadelphia area for about a week, and I loved my time there. It was my first time in the area, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The neighborhoods in Philly and the surrounding areas are quirky, fun, and there’s plenty to see and do. I look forward to performing there in the future, and I have to give a big thanks to my hosts Dot and Zosia for making my stay an unforgettable one. I can’t wait to come back!

I’ll write a separate post about The General Warren Inne (where I performed) in my next post, but in the interim here’s some photo highlights from my time in Philadelphia:

Inaccessible part of the Lincoln Highway near Langhorne PA — Inaccessible part of the Lincoln Highway near Langhorne, PA

The Poquessing Creek Bridge was built in the 1805 and was used in the original 1913 LH route until the bypass was created in the early 1920s. Note the mix of brick and old concrete with the stone bridge.

Side of Poquessing Creek Bridge — Side of the Poquessing Creek Bridge.

The Divine Loraine Hotel has a fascinating past. Built between 1892-1894, this building on the Lincoln Highway housed some of Philadelphia’s Wealthy in the early years, and then became the first hotel in the city to be racially integrated. Today it is not in use.

Valley Forge Cemetary — One of my many headstones found in Valley Forge Cemetery. While not directly on the Lincoln Highway, Valley Forge National Park should not be missed. It is truly a beautiful place to see our country’s history.

Valley Forge Chapel — These stained glass windows tell the story of George Washington’s life at Washington Memorial Chapel (Valley Forge). It is biggest non-religious dedication in this medium.

Detail Chapel Gate — The tour guide told me his favorite artwork in the Washington Memorial Chapel was the hand made iron gate in front of the chapel. Here’s a close up of that gate.

My view of the Liberty Bell (only a couple blocks off the LH route in downtown Philly). While it is free to get in, you have to wait a long time to see it.

LH Marker Gone — This is the site where an old Lincoln Highway concrete marker was in Malvern, PA. As you can see by the fresh dirt, this change happened recently. The yellow marker notes a gas pipeline is now going through here.

Mural Fairmont Art Crawl — Mural on Fairmont Street in the Arts District in Philadelphia.

Thanks again for all of your support over the last few weeks and I hope things are going well on your path, wherever it may be.