In the early 20th century, Carl Fisher and Henry Joy had a dream of having a road that would traverse the country. Their enthusiasm spread, and the Lincoln Highway became a reality in 1913. Unprecedented travel, growth and commerce from New York City to San Francisco followed. Good roads, filling stations, roadside dining, and basic lodging were paramount. With automobile travel on the upswing, postcard and souvenirs were must-haves.
Eighty years later, dozens of non-profit organizations, municipalities, and business owners along a 200-mile, six-county region of the Lincoln Highway in south-central Pennsylvania, had a vision of utilizing the historic Lincoln Highway as the unifying element for a heritage area – the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor (LHHC). In 1995, former Governor Tom Ridge designated this region as an official heritage area, with the intent of increasing economic development through tourism. The LHHC is one of twelve special heritage areas in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, collectively known as "Heritage PA," which are committed to improving operations, marketing, government relations and public advocacy for all of Pennsylvania's Heritage Areas. The mission of the not-for-profit LHHC is to identify, conserve, promote and interpret the cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and economic resources along the Lincoln Highway in Pennsylvania’s Westmoreland, Somerset, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, and Adams counties.
The LHHC has designed and published several helpful publications, including a 70-page Driving Guide, which takes motorists on the original alignments of the old Lincoln Highway, and points out interesting stops along the way; "Getting There is Half the Fun" (a children's activity guide); and the Lincoln Highway Motorcycle Guide (unfortunately, this is temporarily out of print). These publications are in addition to over 100 other giftable items which are available under the gift tab of our web site or at our office at 215 East Main Street - 2nd Floor, Ligonier, PA. Click on the "Support LHHC" link to become a "Friend" of the Lincoln Highway, and receive a 10% discount on all of the items in our gift shop!
Enjoy your journey on the Lincoln Highway, and remember to "Keep Thinkin' Lincoln!"
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