The Lincoln Highway: Travels through Sewickley, Leetsdale and Fair Oaks

Early automobile travelers passing through Pennsylvania likely encountered Sewickley, Leetsdale, Fair Oaks and Ambridge along the nation's first paved transcontinental road.

The iconic Lincoln Highway was considered "America's Main Street" because the original stretch of 3,400 miles connected towns and rural areas through 14 states, including many communities in Western Pennsylvania.

Information about those towns are referenced in "The Complete Official Road Guide of the Lincoln Highway," a book published by The Lincoln Highway Association to promote the road.

Created in 1913, the Lincoln Highway Association is celebrating its centennial this year. In conjunction with the 100-year commemoration, Google ebooks is giving readers free access to the 1916 second edition of "The Complete Official Road Guide of the Lincoln Highway." 

The idea of the Lincoln Highway came from Carl Fisher, the man also responsible for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Miami Beach. 

The popular highway became less traveled as enthusiasm for good roads led to the involvement of the federal government in building roadways and U.S. routes in the 1920s.

There have been songs, books and more dedicated to the highway. There are 84 towns listed in the Pennsylvania chapter of the guide. 

In Latrobe, the Lincoln Highway Experience museum in the Laurel Highlands offers interpretive exhibits, photographs, artisan crafts and Lincoln Highway memorabilia. 

Click here to see a free copy of the guide.

For more on the Lincoln Highway, click here.