Published: August 08, 2008 10:51 am      

Lincoln Highway tour begins

CLINTON — Beginning at 6:30 a.m. today, cars began lining up to participate in the First Inaugural Tour of Lincoln Highway.

According to State Director of the Iowa Lincoln Highway Association, Jeff LaFollette, this three-day tour has been in the works for the past few years. He said that the purpose of this tour is to promote the Lincoln Highway and to educate people about the road and the surrounding areas.

“It’s a good way to get people out to see the road,” said LaFollette.

This tour started in Clinton, with the caravan leaving at 8 a.m., and will finish on Sunday in Council Bluffs.

Tonight the participants will stop at Cedar Rapids and Saturday night they will stop in Ames. LaFollette said that besides stopping for meals and rest, the group will be stopping at various sights along the way.

Participants will have the chance to visit local museums and see historical sights, such as a 1913 Lincoln Hotel and the old Preston Station.

Heather Hilgendorf-Cooley, the director of the Clinton convention and visitors bureau, and Mary Jo Kincaid, the administrative assistant of the bureau, represented the area and welcomed the participants to Clinton. They both agreed that the CVB is happy that the Iowa Lincoln Highway Association is beginning their tour in Clinton.

“We’re thrilled to be able to host them,” said Hilgendorf-Cooley. She said that the tour will bring more business and attention to Clinton.

A total of 55 vehicles have been entered in the tour.

Many classic cars and even the motorcycle could be seen by the river as they lined up this morning. According to LaFollette, participants are from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Missouri, as well as Iowa.

Marvin Wilson and Ellie Sedersten’s vehicle was noticeable in the line up. This duo from Honey Creek, Iowa, just a few miles from where the tour will be ending, will be traveling in a 1983 Fleetwood Cadillac hearse. Sedersten said that they just learned about the tour a few weeks ago and thought it sounded like a good idea.

“It seemed like a lot of fun to get out,” said Wilson.

He said that they were interesting in going on a road trip, meeting new people and seeing new things.

Kent Sanderson from Manchester, Mo. also thought that this tour sounded like a good idea. He said that he has been curious about Lincoln Highway for a while. So when he heard about this tour, he decided to sign up for it. Sanderson will be traveling in a light blue 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

“I like old roads, old towns and old cars. So it promises to be exciting,” said Sanderson.