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Story of Development
The “good
roads movement” and the LH changed the commercial
focus from horse, buggy, canal and railroad to development
along the highway.
- The highway stimulated the development
of regional commercial centers in part by increasing
the distance a farmer could take his goods to market
and go to the movies on a Saturday night.
- Tourist accommodations evolved from
simple camping areas to cabins to motor courts to motels.
It progressively removed them from intimacy with the
landscape.
- Food service turned away from the railroads and
the town center. They began to focus on luring passing
automobile travelers. The roadside café later found competition
from drive-ins and fast food franchises. In 1921 the first
White Castle opened making a standardized high-quality
product that the customer could watch being made. A & W
introduced tray girls in 1924.
- In the 1920's and '30's,
roadside advertising became more pervasive. It started
with logos and slogans painted on buildings and hand-done
signboards on trees. Barn painting became increasingly
popular in the '30's. A tunnel of billboards led into
many cities and resort areas, masking the views. Particularly
memorable were the Burma Shave signs, which began in
1925.
- Old post cards still document commerce and
traveler's experiences on the LH.
- The livery stable or general store sold gasoline
from cans in the early years. By the 1920's, the “filling
station” dedicated to the automobile was a common
site. Wherever possible they were built on street corners
for easy access. From the beginning neighbors complained
about the noise and light pollution. “They grew
thick in villages and cities and spread out along the
highway to edge of town. They became large and paved
greater chunks of land.”
- The military began to see the importance
of good roads and national security. In 1919 81 military
vehicles carrying 258 officers and enlisted men drove
the LH in 62 days from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.
Their Army Transcontinental Military Convoy broke through
no fewer than 100 bridges, which they replaced. Lt. Colonel
Dwight D. Eisenhower was on the convoy. As President
in 1956 he signed into law the National Defense Interstate
Highway Act.
- Over the
years routes were changed, curves were engineered, and
roadways widened all in the interest of improving safety
and speed. Many tangible evidences of engineering development
can be seen along the IL LH.
- In 2000 the LH was designated
a National Scenic Byway by the US Department of Transportation.
The tangible evidences of this great road become connectors
to the history of our nation.
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