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General Highway History

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General Highway History

Section 6 of 7

Before The Good Roads Committee

In January 1914, Judge Lowe testified before the House Committee on Roads. Following his testimony, he submitted a formal statement summarizing his views. He began:

As "Federal Aid" in some form is being agitated as preferable to a System of National Highways, permit me to ask why make the States contribute an equal amount or any other amount as a condition precedent to any action by the General Government?

Why make the State contribute to a National enterprise at all?

Section 4 of 7

Buffalo Bill

Photo of Stagecoach donated to Old Trails Road Committee of the D.A.R. by Buffalo Bill. Click for larger version of photo
Stagecoach donated to Old Trails Road Committee
of the D.A.R. by Buffalo Bill Cody

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, 1915, issue o

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.