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From the Diary of Eagle Scout Bernard R.
Queneau Member of the 1928 Lincoln Highway BSA Lincoln Highway Promotional Tour Friday - July 13, 1928 - Look at the date and you will conclude that it rained all day. Right, of course. Because of this we were not able to go to the McKinley Monument where a big time had been prepared for us. Instead we had a swim in the "Y" pool. At Massillon, we were greeted by the mayor, the state road commissioner, and the local scout executive. Mr. Robinson, the Scout Executive, took us out to his new camp at which we ate a real meal. We then traveled all day, leaving the Lincoln Highway for Route 30 and stopping at the Barr Hotel, Lima. Mills left us again. We again ate fine in Lima, the hotel being great for such a town. Ohio is full of pigs, cattle, bad roads, and rain. |
Day 3 - Pittsburgh PA to Mansfield OH
| Tuesday - August 19th Our fifth day on the road and third day of the tour is another crystal clear and sunny pleasure. With almost no humidity (at least compared to Tidewater), even the heat is not a problem. The Packard has cowl and side vents, plus lots of windows, so as long as we are moving there is no need for air conditioning. The tour has changed the start time to 7:45 a.m. in hopes of easing some of the time pressures. The two Packards elect to remain behind and follow at our own pace to Mansfield, OH. The Woolfitt Packard starts right up, so the battery charge seems to have worked. We top up at the old gas station across from the hotel, where the attendants appeared to be contemporary to the 1930s cars. Instead of battling morning city traffic, we get on the main highway to get out of Pittsburgh as quickly as possible. We roll out of town and pick up the Lincoln Highway in Lisbon – after a side trip of a few miles before we realized that the highway turned North away from Route 30! That’s what we get for trying to cheat. |
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We end up behind the Model A for a while – both Packards pull over when he gets a flat. Bob has a hydraulic jack in the 34 Packard, and helps with a quick tire change. In the meantime, Bill has discovered that our Packard is not charging. Playing with connections, fuses, and brushes fails to bring the generator back to life, but we have a strong battery and continue on with few concerns. We make it to Chester, West Virginia in time for the snacks provided at the town’s main tourist attraction – the World’s Biggest Teapot! It started life as a giant Root Beer Barrel drink stand, and was recrafted into its current shape in 1938. Then it is on to Ohio. Ken has another fainting spell, even though Bill is driving instead of me. |
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As we travel over one of the rural sections, we stop to talk to a family sitting outside by a free lemonade stand. They had prepared a huge vat for the Tour participants and had hopes that some of the cars would stop for a spot of refreshment. That is something I haven’t mentioned yet. We have seen people all along the route, especially the past couple of days, with signs and banners for the Lincoln Highway Tour. It is fun to honk and wave as we pass – the community participation makes it feel more like 1932. Just outside of Lisbon, Ohio, we pass the Steel Trolley Diner, one of many old eateries along the route. One of the constant activities is car-spotting – looking for old vehicles in yards and fields. We spotted a nice 1952 Packard at one house, just one of maybe a hundred such treasures along the route. |
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Rolling into Hanoverton, we decide to skip the lunch option at the Spread Eagle Tavern and continue on through. Apparently the Inn was very nice – and Bob and Shirley Woolfitt endeared themselves to the antique shop owner by giving her a ride. Just outside of Minerva, Ohio (home of participant Tom Kishman’s IGA Store), we turn off onto Baywood Street – a long and well-preserved section of brick Lincoln Highway. The rolling hills and rural setting make a terrific photo setting, and the drive is beautiful. |
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We continue towards Canton, where we will be stopping at the Canton Classic Auto Museum. There are quite a few old businesses on the Lincoln Highway that date back to 1928. The Lincoln Theater and Lincoln Way Motors in Perry Heights both retain the original buildings. We are one of the first cars arriving at the Museum – the Superior Dairy and Kishman’s IGA has an ice cream stand set up in the entrance. The museum has some beautiful cars on display, including a 1932 Packard Super Eight phaeton with orange wheels that are a perfect match for Sophie’s (our Packard). After the other cars arrive, the Mayor of Canton presents tour co-host Rosemary Rubin with a proclamation from the city honoring the Lincoln Highway Tour. The bright yellow Hummer's intrepid camera crew of William Karr, Michael Kelly, and Bob Leisinger catch the presentation on tape for inclusion on the Tour video they are preparing. We spent a lot of time admiring the cars and having fun with some of the old-fashioned photo cutouts. |
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Then it was time to roll for the hotel in Mansfield, Ohio. We had a good run in, and even found a generator repair shop not far from Mansfield. However, they pretty much laughed Bill out of the place when he asked about help with a 1932 Packard. After checking into the hotel, we went out to a terrific picnic dinner at the home of Richard and Mary Lou Taylor. The Taylors have a really great antique auto collection that includes a 1913 Stevens-Duryea touring car, a variety of Fords from a Model A to a Lincoln Mark III, and an 1950 convertible. |
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