The Lincoln Highway

Image via Wikipedia

Original Lincoln Highway Marker in Wanship, Utah

Yesterday we took an auto tour of the significant sights along the part of the Lincoln Highway that goes through Echo Canyon in Utah.  The Lincoln Highway, established in 1913, was the first automobile road from the east coast to the west coast.  It originates at Times Square in New York City and ends in San Francisco.  It coincides with or runs close to Interstate 80 along most of its route.

The Pony Express route, the Mormon Trail, and the California Trail traveled by pioneers and 49'ers all passed through Echo Canyon. as well as the Union Pacific Railroad.  The Donner Party passed through in 1846 on its il-fated way to California.  Brigham Young led the first group of Mormon settlers through the canyon to the Great Salt Lake in 1847.

 Echo Canyon is bounded on the north by steep cliffs sculpted by nature.  In places, some of the layers of rock are a composite of rounded pebbles of various sizes embedded in what appears to be hardened mud.  There is a natural bridge in the cliffs near the site of the Emory Pony Express Station.  The highway goes under an old Union Pacific Railroad trestle near Echo Reservoir.

Here are a few of the pictures I took on our tour:

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