Little remains of Lincoln Highway's route in Dayton

In the early 1900s, Carl G. Fisher had a dream of connecting all of the little roads here and there in the nation into one road that would run the length of the United States - 3,143 miles, from New York City to San Francisco.

On Sept. 10, 1913, a Congressional proclamation said: "Resolved that the Lincoln Highway now is and hence forth shall be an existing memorial in tribute to the immortal Abraham Lincoln."

Construction began in January 1914. Some years and $53,600,000 later, the highway was completed, making its route through Dayton. The highway was not paved all the way at first; some roads running through Nevada were graded and graveled.

Along the route were "consuls," whom motorists could question about road conditions or find a meal or place to stay. M.J. King is noted as being appointed to serve as the consul for Dayton.

The Lincoln Highway followed what are today's Pike and River streets in Dayton's historic Old Town.

We must preserve the memory of this highway, which followed a portion of the same routes trekked by early-day pioneers and the Pony Express.

Today, just one marker remains denoting the route as the Lincoln Highway through Dayton. The highway's insignia is painted in traditional red, white and blue colors on the side of the renovated 1860s Bluestone Building, now the site of the Dayton Justice Court and Lyon County Sheriff's Substation on Main Street.

In an exhibit in the Dayton Museum is an original, perfect condition, enameled road sign carrying the Lincoln Highway's patriotic colors. Discovered in an old carriage shed near the museum on Shady Lane, it was donated by Bob and Rae Marie Foster of Dayton. The Fosters own the carriage shed, and were elated to find a stack of unused Lincoln Highway signs stored in its corner.

At one time, a federal highway marker at the intersection of Main and River streets directed motorists to Carson City and beyond. A similar marker is on display at the Nevada State Museum. Old-timers around town remember that county workers hauled Dayton's highway marker to the dump many years ago.

Ruby McFarland is a 17-year resident of Dayton, a board member of the Dayton Historical Society and a docent at the museum.