"Lincoln Way" A More Fitting Memorial?

[Mosin]

http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...a-oTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ov8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4118,229822
It's all in the past, we have the Lincoln Memorial at the National Mall in the Greek temple design with Lincoln seated and his two famous speeches standing by. As the centennial of Lincoln's birthdate was approaching there was a great public demand for a memorial to the late President. One idea that drew much interest from the American people was the Lincoln Memorial Highway, not to be confused with the present Lincoln Highway that stretches from New York to San Francisco. This grand highway would be from Washington, D.C. to Gettysburg, PA and would have features along the route to memorialize Lincoln such as fountains and monuments.
Former congressman James McCleary published this idea for the the memorial highway to Lincoln in a magazine article.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...1/29/AR2008012904014.html?sid=ST2008020102109
"What a fitting memorial to Lincoln would be a noble highway, a splendid boulevard, from the White House to Gettysburg."
"The Lincoln Way" would include one roadway for automobiles and one for horse-drawn carriages and wagons; plus two electric railway tracks: one for express trains, the other for local trains. Stately rows of trees would border the highway. Down the middle would be a well-kept lawn 40 to 50 feet wide, with beautiful fountains and monuments at intervals along the way. Given "the possibilities of electrical illumination, the beauty of this boulevard when lit up at night may be left to the imagination," McCleary wrote.

What's your thoughts on the "Lincoln Way"?
If "Lincoln Way" was to be Lincoln's memorial would it still be as grand and majestic today as the memorial at the National Mall or would progress just turn it into another ordinary road?

Mosin

 

[oldpete63]

http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...a-oTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ov8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4118,229822
It's all in the past, we have the Lincoln Memorial at the National Mall in the Greek temple design with Lincoln seated and his two famous speeches standing by. As the centennial of Lincoln's birthdate was approaching there was a great public demand for a memorial to the late President. One idea that drew much interest from the American people was the Lincoln Memorial Highway, not to be confused with the present Lincoln Highway that stretches from New York to San Francisco. This grand highway would be from Washington, D.C. to Gettysburg, PA and would have features along the route to memorialize Lincoln such as fountains and monuments.
Former congressman James McCleary published this idea for the the memorial highway to Lincoln in a magazine article.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...1/29/AR2008012904014.html?sid=ST2008020102109
"What a fitting memorial to Lincoln would be a noble highway, a splendid boulevard, from the White House to Gettysburg."
"The Lincoln Way" would include one roadway for automobiles and one for horse-drawn carriages and wagons; plus two electric railway tracks: one for express trains, the other for local trains. Stately rows of trees would border the highway. Down the middle would be a well-kept lawn 40 to 50 feet wide, with beautiful fountains and monuments at intervals along the way. Given "the possibilities of electrical illumination, the beauty of this boulevard when lit up at night may be left to the imagination," McCleary wrote.

What's your thoughts on the "Lincoln Way"?
If "Lincoln Way" was to be Lincoln's memorial would it still be as grand and majestic today as the memorial at the National Mall or would progress just turn it into another ordinary road?

Mosin

Probably, just like any named street, avenue etc. - wouldn't have given it a second thought - just a way to go from here to there. "Dang - Lincoln Way is all backed up with traffic, let me take a detour - Grant Ave. should be free and clear".

 

[kholland]

Between the cost, getting the extra right of way and environmental impact studies among other things I can only imagine it would be near impossible to even consider. Lawns and fountains in the middle of a highway extending 65 plus miles. Whew!

 

[Glorybound]

http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...a-oTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ov8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4118,229822
It's all in the past, we have the Lincoln Memorial at the National Mall in the Greek temple design with Lincoln seated and his two famous speeches standing by. As the centennial of Lincoln's birthdate was approaching there was a great public demand for a memorial to the late President. One idea that drew much interest from the American people was the Lincoln Memorial Highway, not to be confused with the present Lincoln Highway that stretches from New York to San Francisco. This grand highway would be from Washington, D.C. to Gettysburg, PA and would have features along the route to memorialize Lincoln such as fountains and monuments.
Former congressman James McCleary published this idea for the the memorial highway to Lincoln in a magazine article.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...1/29/AR2008012904014.html?sid=ST2008020102109
"What a fitting memorial to Lincoln would be a noble highway, a splendid boulevard, from the White House to Gettysburg."
"The Lincoln Way" would include one roadway for automobiles and one for horse-drawn carriages and wagons; plus two electric railway tracks: one for express trains, the other for local trains. Stately rows of trees would border the highway. Down the middle would be a well-kept lawn 40 to 50 feet wide, with beautiful fountains and monuments at intervals along the way. Given "the possibilities of electrical illumination, the beauty of this boulevard when lit up at night may be left to the imagination," McCleary wrote.

What's your thoughts on the "Lincoln Way"?
If "Lincoln Way" was to be Lincoln's memorial would it still be as grand and majestic today as the memorial at the National Mall or would progress just turn it into another ordinary road?

Mosin

Good question. I think the highway would eventually be taken for granted as most memorial highways are, and the meaning of it, the purpose of it would grow old, especially if one is stuck in traffic on it. In my opinion nothing could or will surpass the current Lincoln monument in honoring Abe Lincoln, it's difficult to be in its proximity without feeling a deep sense of reverence and awe towards him.

Lee