A special area of the first transcontinental road to crisscross the United States from New York to California was never formally dedicated upon its completion in 1924.
But a recent ceremony to unveil two remodeled monuments and a brick paver patio along the “Ideal Section” of Lincoln Highway, also known as U.S. 30 in Dyer, more than made up for the oversight.
“Today is all about restoration,” said Indiana Lincoln Highway Association (ILHA) board member and project chairman Bruce Butgereit, who spearheaded a project to refurbish the memorials located along the Ideal Section, a 1.35 mile stretch of the highway. “After we’re done today, we have not only dedicated these monuments, but we’ve told more of the story (of the Ideal Section).”
The Ideal Section was so-named because this area was to become the blueprint for highways of the future. Dyer was chosen because of its nearness to Chicago.
This four-lane prototype boasted 10-foot wide lanes — two going in each direction. Twelve inches of concrete were utilized for the road. Curbing and highway lighting also were installed.
When first built in 1912, Lincoln Highway had only two eight-foot lanes, one going in each direction, no paving and no lighting.
Seventy-five visitors gathered in front of the remodeled area for the recent dedication to learn of the history of the monuments and listen to remarks from Kathy Powers, curator of the Dyer Historical Society Museum, and Mary Tanis, president of Dyer Town Council, among many others.
During the presentations, visitor Janey Harrison of Dyer mentioned the new sidewalk in front of the memorials. “This is a great addition here, now people can get up close and read these,” she said, of the memorials.
The Ideal Section runs from Calumet Avenue to Janice Lane.
Building a sidewalk was not part of the ILHA plan; the town of Dyer had previously installed it from a state grant they received, according to Tanis, a former school teacher.
“I’m so glad this (memorial dedication) has come about,” she said at the ceremony. “It’s bringing a historical aspect to the area — not only for the children, but the adults as well. And now the sidewalk will make it possible for everyone to see this.”
When Butgereit and his organization uncovered the area located in front of Meyer’s Castle along Lincoln Highway, they found the area neglected, overgrown with weeds and the stone pavers were crumbling.
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“It was 80 percent ruined,” Butgereit said. “It definitely needed attention.”
The largest memorial honors LHA vice president and field secretary Henry Ostermann, who regularly traveled the highway as part of his job.
He was killed in a 1920 car crash on Lincoln Highway in Iowa before the road was paved.
A stone bench was erected on each side of the plaque and brick pavers were added in front to complete a patio.
A smaller monument, commemorating Sauk Trail and the Ideal Section was added in front of Ostermann’s in later years.
Lincoln Highway stretches thousands of miles from New York to San Francisco.
“It’s amazing that out of more than 3,000 miles, they choose Dyer to represent the Ideal Section,” Butgereit said. “At the time (1924), this was considered the most technologically advanced road in the world.”
Discussion by ILHA to begin a restoration project began in 2009; plans were on the drawing board by 2014.
After the group formally decided to take on the refurbishment mission, others came on board; and the result came to fruition at the recent dedication Sept. 17, 2016.
An added attraction at this ceremony was the placement of a 1928 cement “marker” near the monuments by Dyer Boy Scout Troop 510. A large replica of a penny with the image of Abraham Lincoln, who Lincoln Highway is named for, was placed at the top.
When Lincoln Highway was first built, more than 2,000 of these posts were placed by members of Boy Scout troops from each of the states along the route. They were not considered mile markers, according to Butgereit; they were just directional instruments for drivers when the road took a bend or curve.
In addition to the beautification of the Ostermann Memorial Seat and the Ideal Section/Sauk Trail Monument, the committee also added two small interpretive panels to further inform visitors of the area’s history.
Fourth-grade students Mary Ann Falli and Sarah Azme from Bibich Elementary School gave a history presentation at a luncheon following the dedication and Butgereit recognized all those involved in the coordination of the day’s events.
“This is a good day,” Butgereit said. “Not only have did we accomplish restoration, but we engineered an organization’s original concept.”
In 2011, the Indiana Lincoln Highway was designated an Indiana Historic Byway.
More information can be found at www.indianalincolnhighway.org.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter.