Lincoln Highway gets special license plate

Van Wert independent/submitted information

A special license plate featuring the familiar red, white and blue Lincoln Highway logo has been awarded to the Ohio Lincoln Highway Historic Byway, thanks to State Senator Clifford Hite of Findlay, who introduced the bill last year. The new plate will also include the declaration: “America’s First Coast-to-Coast Road”

The new vanity plate will be created once 150 orders are received. Proceeds from the sale of the special plates will help provide signage and better awareness of the historic road.

The Ohio Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor (OLHHC), better known as the Ohio Lincoln Highway Historic Byway, is a non-profit corporation organized in 2000 to promote the history of the road through travel and tourism. It was granted Ohio byway status in 2004.

“Everybody knows about Route 66 because of books, a TV series and even movies in the past,” said Mike Hocker, executive director of the Lincoln Highway Association, “but the Lincoln was built earlier, is much longer and more influential to the birth of the automotive culture we know today.

“This new plate will be a fun way to let your friends and others know about the road, but also support our cause to make people more aware of it,” he added.

Those interested in purchasing the plate will be pleased to know that they may have their personalized (vanity) plate number produced on the plate, as long as it does not exceed six numbers or letters, according to Hocker

Since the initial order requires a minimum of 150 signatures to produce the plates, interested persons are encouraged to call 419.468.6773 or email plates@historicbyway.com for instructions on how to contribute to the signatures needed and then acquire the special plates. Signatures are also being taken at the Van Wert Area Convention and Visitors Bureau office, 136 E. Main St. in Van Wert.

Deadline for signing up is September 30. No payment is required at the time of signing. For more information, call 419.238.9378.