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General Highway History

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General Highway History

Gallery: Section 3 of 4

A sign along the National Old Trails Road east of Herington, Kansas, depicted a wagon train moving west, part of the heritage of the old trail.

Frank Davis, who served the National Old Trails Road Association for many years, is shown in the Association's headquarters in front of a map of the trail.

Gallery: Section 2 of 4

Better Roads and Streets printed a letter by Judge J. M. Lowe citing over $2 million in improvements for the National Old Trails Road in 1914. An accompanying editorial cartoon depicted Judge Lowe at work creating

Better Roads and Streets printed a letter by Judge J. M. Lowe citing over $2 million in improvements for the National Old Trails Road in 1914.

Gallery: Section 1 of 4

The Panama-Pacific International Exposition, shown here in photographs that appeared in the September 4, 1915, issue of Good Roads magazine, was the focus of promotion by the National Old Trails Road Association, the Lincoln Highway Association, and others.

The Panama-Pacific International Exposition, shown here in photographs that appeared in the September 4

See America First in 1915: Section 3 of 3

The Annual Race

The Los Angeles to Phoenix race had been held since 1908. A White steam car had won the first 418-mile race with a running time of just over 24 hours for an average speed of 17 ½ miles per hour. The route had varied over the years. In 1911, the contestants followed the Coast Road to San Diego before turning east to Phoenix. The Los Angeles contestants followed the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway in 1912, while San Diego boosters sponsored a similar race to Phoenix on the same day. In 1913, the Coast Road to San Diego had again been followed.