Background

Lincoln Highway Seedling Mile Historical Marker

Commemorating the first concrete 'seedling mile' of the Lincoln Highway near Malta, Illinois, a pivotal moment in U.S. transportation history.

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A historical marker commemorating the first 'seedling mile' of the Lincoln Highway, America's first transcontinental highway, located near Malta, Illinois. It highlights the early use of concrete in road construction and the importance of local support in developing the highway system.

A brief summary to Lincoln Highway Seedling Mile Historical Marker

Local tips

  • Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the historical marker and surrounding area.
  • Combine your visit with a tour of Kishwaukee College, where the marker is located.
  • Take a drive along other sections of the historic Lincoln Highway in Illinois to experience more of its history.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Lincoln Highway Seedling Mile Historical Marker is located at 3353 IL-38, Malta, IL 60150, on the Kishwaukee College campus. From I-88, take the Annie Glidden Road exit north. Continue onto IL-38 East/Lincoln Highway. The marker will be on your right in the Kishwaukee College parking lot. Parking is free and readily available.

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Discover more about Lincoln Highway Seedling Mile Historical Marker

The Lincoln Highway Seedling Mile Historical Marker commemorates a significant milestone in American transportation history. Located near Malta, Illinois, this marker stands as a tribute to the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental, hard-surface roadway in the United States, connecting New York City and San Francisco. In 1913, the Lincoln Highway Association planned this ambitious project, which predated the Federal Highway System. The project began with a series of four 'seedling miles,' with the Malta 'seedling mile' being the first. In October 1914, a one-mile section, ten feet wide, was paved with concrete, marking an early experiment in using concrete for road surfaces. This initiative aimed to demonstrate the advantages of concrete roads over the existing dirt and gravel roads. The success of the Malta 'seedling mile' was due to private enterprise and strong local sponsorship, setting a model for other communities. The original concrete surface proved durable, remaining in use for approximately twenty years. Today, the marker is located on the south side of the parking lot of Kishwaukee College, just west of Malta on the north side of Illinois Route 38, also known as East Lincoln Highway. It serves as a reminder of the pioneering efforts in road construction that helped shape the nation's transportation infrastructure.

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