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NEW Jefferson Highway Geocaching |
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Jefferson Highway
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Named after Thomas Jefferson, the third
president of the United States this collection of roads and trails
meandered through the land area known as "The Louisiana
Purchase" which Jefferson was responsible for. The visionaries of
1915 who committed to building this Highway included a delegation from Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada who convinced the Americans to make their city the
northern origin of the Pine to Palm Highway. The other end, the terminus,
was in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA and it still is to this day.
There is a marker at each end of the Highway
and most of the roadway still exists in one form or another. It's
historical significance to motoring and transportation history is enormous.
In the fall of 2009 the historic Jefferson Highway (Pine to Palm route) was traveled from beginning to end for the first time in over 50 years. From Winnipeg to New Orleans, a distance of 2300 miles (3700 kilometres) this gem of motoring history has been explored, photographed and publicized. Early November saw two travelers driving over 1500 miles each, from different ends of the continent to meet at the beginning of the Pine to Palm Highway
in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Then in a motorhome outfitted with modern
computer mapping and gps systems and using maps taken from a 1920s
Jefferson Highway brochure, the team completed a two week journey through over 200
towns and cities all the way to New Orleans, Louisiana on most of the
original Jefferson Highway. |
 Expedition motorhome traveling through a Jeff railroad underpass in Oklahoma, November 2009. |
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Many people along the road didn't even know
that they were on a famous Highway and were excited to hear about it. Other people
did know that they were on the
Jefferson Highway and they have been keeping the memory alive in many ways. Excellent
local museums with Highway memorabilia dot the entire route, new Pine to Palm signs are popping up
everywhere and local events such
as 'sociability runs' are being organized all along the way. Not to
mention that the Jefferson Highway Geocache Challenge is being
developed.
The expedition was welcomed with great
enthusiasm by historical societies, chambers of commerce, local
politicians and the press throughout the entire journey. The sociability
run called the "Pine to Palm Tour '09"
was a huge success and will be viewed as the beginning of the re-building
of an international tourist destination. "The Jefferson Highway is
back!" |
Butler, MO welcomes the Pine to Palm '09 travelers carrying an original Jefferson Highway sign. |
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Interesting Fact: You can travel the entire 2300 mile (3700 km) length of the Jefferson Highway in the same time zone! On our trip we met many people who expressed interest in forming a new Jefferson Highway Association. It is the next important step toward the re-awakening of our famous Highway. With a coordinated effort that an association would bring we can focus the attention of the traveling public and government agencies on the "Jefferson Highway". Our trip last November sent a wave of energy down the Pine to Palm route. Let's keep it going by laying the groundwork for something much bigger than our own area that we can all be part of and benefit from. It is time to let people know about The Jefferson Highway, let's do it!
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