What connections exist between Halloween, President Abraham Lincoln, and the Lincoln HIghway?
One hundred years ago on October 31, 1913, the Lincoln Highway Association dedicated the transcontinental Lincoln Highway to the memory of President Abraham Lincoln for the American people. On that day in 1913, towns along the Lincoln Highway celebrated with bonfires and decorating with red, white, and blue bunting, and American flags.
In preparation for the celebration one hundred years ago, the October 26, 1913, issue of The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “It is the idea of the boosters of the transcontinental motorway that the dedication be a sort of spontaneous expression of gratification and it has been left to each city and town along the route of the proposed highway, to devise and carry out its own plan of celebration.”
The States along the route did devise celebrations for the Lincoln Highway’s dedication to the memory of Abraham Lincoln in 1913. In Wyoming, Governor Carey’s proclamation stated, “It is thought especially fitting that on the evening of October 31st there should be an old-time jollification to include bonfires and general rejoicing; this for the purpose of impressing upon the people–and especially the younger generation–the services and unselfish life of Lincoln, and for the further purpose of painting a big picture so far as amusements are concerned of the highway which is to cross our state.”
Governor Oddie of Nevada wrote in his 1913 proclamation, “Friday the 31st day of October, by statute a legal holiday, is the 49th anniversary of the admission of Nevada into the Union–the only state admitted during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. It happens that on the evening of this day, in all the cities and towns of all the states through which the proposed Lincoln Highway will pass, public services will be held, celebrating the naming of the route.”
In Illinois in 1913, towns celebrated with red, white, and blue patriotic decorations and citizens across the state flew their American flags on Halloween.
To honor the 100th Anniversary of the Lincoln Highway Association’s dedication of the Lincoln Highway as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln for the people of the United States, fly your flag on October 31, 2013. Tell your neighbors to fly their flags on October 31, too. Perhaps take some time between answering the door for Trick-or-Treaters to think about President Abraham Lincoln that day.
For more information, please visit http://illinoislincolnhighwayassociation.org/ or call the Lincoln Highway Association National Tourism Headquarters in Franklin Grove, IL, at 815-456-3030.