Bob and Joyce Ausberger
Lincoln Highway Association
The Lincoln Highway is the first transcontinental highway in United States. It crosses 13 states and goes through some 400 plus towns. It starts in Times Square, New York and ends at Lincoln Park in San Francisco, CA . The Lincoln Highway association organized in 1912 and the route was announced in 1913. In Iowa, the route followed closely to the Chicago Northwestern Railroad from Clinton to Council Bluffs. The Highway in 1913 was known as the Trans Continental Route. This route in Iowa traveled through Belle Plaine. The Herring Hotel (Herring Cottage) just happened to be strategically located on the route in Belle Plaine. Will Herring built the structure in 1901(?) to serve railroad travelers, but it quickly became a favorite of Lincoln Highway traveler.
The Lincoln Highway Association officially disbanded after the federal government organized a major highway system of numbered highways. However, the group remained unofficially organized in the highway lore and as the U.S. 30 Association. In 1992, we helped reorganize the national Lincoln Highway Association. With the highways many roadside features, such as gas stations, restaurants, and lodging, the route remained popular. Many of these, such as the Herring Hotel, have existed since the hey day of the old Lincoln.
Lincoln Highway Association
The Lincoln Highway is the first transcontinental highway in United States. It crosses 13 states and goes through some 400 plus towns. It starts in Times Square, New York and ends at Lincoln Park in San Francisco, CA . The Lincoln Highway association organized in 1912 and the route was announced in 1913. In Iowa, the route followed closely to the Chicago Northwestern Railroad from Clinton to Council Bluffs. The Highway in 1913 was known as the Trans Continental Route. This route in Iowa traveled through Belle Plaine. The Herring Hotel (Herring Cottage) just happened to be strategically located on the route in Belle Plaine. Will Herring built the structure in 1901(?) to serve railroad travelers, but it quickly became a favorite of Lincoln Highway traveler.
The Lincoln Highway Association officially disbanded after the federal government organized a major highway system of numbered highways. However, the group remained unofficially organized in the highway lore and as the U.S. 30 Association. In 1992, we helped reorganize the national Lincoln Highway Association. With the highways many roadside features, such as gas stations, restaurants, and lodging, the route remained popular. Many of these, such as the Herring Hotel, have existed since the hey day of the old Lincoln.