JHA Newsletter - Jefferson Highway Association

JEFFERSON HIGHWAY
DECLARATION
The Newsletter of the Jefferson Highway Association
VOLUME 3, NUMBER 1
WINTER 2014
Coming in May!
2014 JHA Conference In Park Rapids, MN
P
Inside this issue:
Park It
in Park Rapids
1
Eye on Itasca
State Park
2
It’s the Season for 3
Medalists
Route 66
Travelogue
5
Your Conference 12
Registration Form
www.JeffersonHighway.org
lans are nearly completed for the Jefferson
Highway Association International
Conference in Park Rapids, MN, in May, hosted
by the Lake Country Scenic Byway. The
conference center will
be the C’mon Inn, 1009
1st Street East (State
Highway 34).
After a catered lunch, local author Ren Holland
will speak on “Destination Pines: The Jefferson
Highway in Minnesota.” He plans to talk about
the routes of the highway and what problems
The conference will
open the morning of
Friday, May 30 with a
welcome from Hubbard
County Commissioner
Kathy Grell and a
presentation by Carol
Altepeter of Explore
Minnesota Tourism.
James E. Fogerty will
discuss oral history what it is and how to
use it to record family
and community history
in a presentation on
“Oral History: Sharing Stories.” Fogerty
conducts workshops throughout the country,
and has directed oral history projects
documenting business, politics, the
environment, agriculture, the resort industry
and several Minnesota immigrant
communities. The session will feature
information on the preparations, legal realities,
ethics and equipment necessary to collect oral
histories and will be illustrated with video clips
from oral histories in several of the Minnesota
Historical Society’s major collections.
Aerial view of Park Rapids
Photo courtesy of LuAnn Hurd-Lof
the planners and builders may have faced. He
also will mention the routes north of Park
Rapids and near his boyhood home near Itasca.
Other speakers remain to be confirmed. The
JHA business meeting will follow Holland’s talk,
then attendees will have time to explore Park
Rapids’ unique Main Street. The street was
created extra wide so teamsters could turn
their long outfits (of four- or six-horse teams)
(May...Park Rapids...You?, Continued on
page 4)
Page 2
Itasca, a State Park on the Jefferson Highway
By LuAnn Hurd-Lof , Akeley, MN
T
he Jefferson Highway ran through Itasca State Park in north-central Minnesota. Participants
in the Jefferson Highway Association’s International Conference in May will board a coach
bus in Park Rapids on Saturday and head to Itasca, where two park naturalists will guide a tour
showing visitors all of Itasca’s major features, as well as the Jefferson Highway’s route through
the park.
Established in 1891, Itasca State Park is not only Minnesota’s oldest state park, it is the only
major park available at the source of one of the world’s four greatest rivers - the Amazon, the
Nile, the Yangtze and the Mississippi.
As a source of inspiration, romance, heroism, and mystery
unsurpassed in American history, the Mississippi is a magnificent
symbol of our country. Waters leaving Lake Itasca eventually join
with snow from the Rocky Mountains, the thunderstorms of the
Great Plains, and Appalachian rains, gathering size, power, and
magnificence on the mighty river’s journey to the ocean.
At Lake Itasca, 500,000 visitors a year walk across the Mississippi
Headwaters and imagine how this tiny stream becomes miles wide
as it enters the Gulf of Mexico 2,552 miles downstream.
Itasca State Park’s boundaries encompass nearly 33,000 acres.
Itasca State Park also manages the recent addition of the La Salle
Lake State Recreation area, acquired in 2011. LaSalle Lake, located
just north of Itasca State Park, is Minnesota’s second deepest lake
and one of the state’s most pristine. This new state recreation site
protects a large area of habitat that includes a cold water stream,
high quality forest and wetlands, and more than half a mile of
Mississippi River shoreline.
LaSalle is only one of the early explorers whose names are
remembered at locations in and near the park. Others are
Hernando De Soto, Zebulon Pike, Father Marquette, Louis Joliet,
Joseph Nicollet, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft and his guide, Ozawindib.
In June, 2011, Outside Magazine named Itasca one of the best five
state parks in the country. The park’s boundaries contain more
than 100 lakes and 30 miles of trails, including a segment of the
Photo courtesy LuAnn Hurd-Lof
North Country Hiking Trail, part of the National North Country
Scenic Trail. Among the park’s natural wonders are towering oldgrowth pines and a 2,000-acre wilderness sanctuary that is one of Minnesota’s seven National
Natural Landmarks.
The park tour will include lunch at historic Douglas Lodge, opened in 1905 with green, newly cut
pine logs harvested in the park. Located at the south end of Lake Itasca, the lodge dining room
oozes atmosphere reminiscent of the early Sociability Runs and offers amazing North Woods
cuisine. You decide which is more memorable - the dining or the view.
Several Civilian Conservation Corps camps were located in and adjacent to the park the 1930s.
(Eye
on Itasca, Continued on page 7)
Page 3
Has Anybody Seen These?
By Lyell Henry, Iowa City, IA
A
t its July, 1916, meeting, the JHA board of directors acted on an intriguing matter. As
reported in the minutes, “a motion was made by Mr. [Hugh] Shepard [of Mason City, IA]
that 1,000 radiator emblems be purchased and that these radiator emblems be given together
with membership certificates to all individual members who subscribe five dollars or more as
members of the Jefferson Highway Association.” The motion was seconded and passed, but was
it ever implemented? I’ve seen a Lincoln Highway radiator emblem but never one for the
Jefferson Highway. I’ve also never seen the membership certificate that the emblem was
intended to accompany but presume that at least it was issued and that some must have
survived.
But for something that’s even more tantalizing, how about the items called for in the following
notice published in the October, 1917, issue of Jefferson Highway Declaration?
Within a month of issuing this invitation for “some person or company or civic organization” to
come forward and seize the opportunity to pay for the proposed one hundred “medals of
honor,” the JHA received a proposal to do just that. The offer was made by the Russell Grader
Manufacturing Company of Minneapolis, whose charitable inclinations in this instance
harmonized nicely with its dedication to making and selling road-building equipment. The
company’s letter, which was published in the January, 1918, issue of Declaration, included three
medal designs for consideration by JHA:
(Medal
Winner, Continued on page 8)
Page 4
(May...Park
Rapids...You?, Continued from page 1)
around wherever they needed to. Center street parking remains a legacy from the era of tall
timber and logging camps.
Save room for dessert after dinner on your own at one of the area’s dining establishments. The
Northern Knights Car Club will host a Back to the 50s & 60s event, showing their cars at the
C’mon Inn parking lot, serving root beer floats and adding some music to the scene.
On Saturday, May 31, conference attendees will board a coach bus for Itasca State Park, where
naturalists will show vestiges of the Jefferson Highway’s route through the park. Other
highlights of the tour will allow time to walk across the source of the Mississippi River and dine
at historic Douglas Lodge. (For more
information about Itasca State Park,
see article by LuAnn Hurd-Lof in this
issue of the newsletter.)
In this part of the state, US Highway 71
closely follows the original route of the
Jefferson Highway. US Highway 71
between Park Rapids and Itasca State
Park is also part of the Lake Country
Scenic Byway. Designated on May 26,
1999 as a state byway, the Lake
Country Scenic Byway also covers the
67 miles of Minnesota State Highway
34 between Detroit Lakes and Park
Rapids and between Park Rapids and
Walker.
Park Rapids' famous wide Main Street
Photo courtesy of LuAnn Hurd-Lof
The tour bus will follow US Highway 71
to Itasca State Park and back through
Park Rapids to the neighboring town of
Menahga. The Menahga Historical Society Museum holds a display on the Jefferson Highway.
While half the group tours the museum with a guide, visitors may want to walk to the Spirit Lake
beachfront and go for coffee and a treat at the Menahga Bakery. For the final part of the tour,
the bus will return to Park Rapids for a tour of the Hubbard County Historical Society Museum.
The conference will conclude with a North Woods dinner (walleye and wild rice are on the menu)
served by the Legion Auxiliary at the Park Rapids American Legion Club (within walking distance
of the C’mon Inn). The Lake Country Scenic Byway is sponsoring the Upper Mississippians, a ’20s
-’30s jazz band, who will entertain for your dancing and listening pleasure.
This is going to be a great conference, so plan now to be there! Complete and mail the
registration form found elsewhere in this issue of the newsletter. REGISTER TODAY!
Note: A block of rooms has been reserved for JHA conference participants at the C’mon Inn.
There is a special rate for the conference for reservations made by April 30. Rooms with one
king bed will be $89.99 plus tax (normal weekend rate is $132.99 plus tax) and rooms with two
queen beds will be $99.99 plus tax (normal weekend rate is $142.99 plus tax). Call 1-800-2586891 for reservations and let them know you are coming for the JHA conference to obtain the
special rate. There are several other motels and a bed and breakfast in Park Rapids. For more
lodging information, go to www.parkrapids.com or www.parkrapidsdowntown.com. To obtain a
free copy of the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Discovery Guide, call 1-800247-0054.
Page 5
Our Journey on Route 66,
“The Mother Road” (Part One)
By Brad Snodgrass, Colo, IA
[Editor’s note: In the Autumn, 2013, issue, the Editorial Committee appealed to members to
send in reports about their activities related to the Jefferson Highway. In response, Brad
Snodgrass submitted an account of a recent trip he took on U.S. 66. Appearing below is the
first part of that narrative, which will be concluded in the Spring, 2014, issue. Brad’s trip and
narrative do have a connection with the Jefferson Highway, of course, inasmuch as U.S. 66
followed the earlier highway’s route for a few miles in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
However, we publish Brad’s narrative mainly because it’s a fascinating account of a road trip
bringing together old friends and also because we’re grateful to Brad for replying to our call.
We hope more JHA members will soon follow suit.]
In early summer I received a call from a former college roommate, Greg Young of Lombard, IL.
He told me that he and another former roommate, Lou Durkin of Eighty Four, PA, wanted to
travel Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. He asked if I was up for it and it took me all of
five minutes to call him back to say yes. So the three
of us, all in our mid-60s, met in Chicago on October
19, 2013, to begin our tour on what John Steinbeck
called “the Mother Road, the road of flight.”
We began our journey in downtown Chicago at Lake
Shore Drive and Jackson Blvd. We followed the
distinctive road signs that mark Route 66, as we
wound our way through Chicago and the
southwestern suburbs. Our first roadside-attraction
stop was in Atlanta, IL, at the 19-foot tall statue of
Paul Bunyan holding a hotdog. The statue, which was
originally placed on Route 66 in 1965, stood in front
of a restaurant in Cicero, IL. After the restaurant was
sold in 2003, the statue was brought to its present
location. Our first food stop was Nelly’s Restaurant
on Route 66 in Wilmington, IL.
Route 66 travelers: Lou Dunkins,
JHA member Brad Snodgrass, & Greg Young.
Photo courtesy Brad Snodgrass
Springfield, IL, was our first overnight stop. The
second day began with a visit to President Abraham
Lincoln’s Museum and Library in Springfield, IL. We
continued the journey toward St. Louis, MO, taking in
the remnants of diners and motels that had long passed their heyday on the Mother Road. We
ate lunch at Weezy’s Route 66 Bar and Grill in Hamel, IL. Stepping into this establishment was
like stepping into the past. A huge “Tourist Haven” sign greeted us as we found a booth.
Memorabilia of Route 66 filled every wall of every room. You could say it was a museum that
also served outrageously good food.
The Arch greeted us as we crossed the Mississippi River and spent our night in St. Louis. It was a
ride rich in history as we traveled Route 66 out of the city and through the many suburbs that
make the area unique. We headed southwest, skirting I-44, toward Cuba, MO. We stopped at
the quaint stone cottages of Cuba’s Wagon Wheel Motel. I read that it is the oldest motel on
Route 66. We had agreed that we would stop for lunch at Shelly’s Route 66 Café,” where friends
gather and strangers are welcome.” That was sure the case as we entered the friendly café.
After a great lunch, we continued our journey.
(Mother
Road Travelogue, Continued on page 6)
Page 6
(Mother
Road Travelogue, Continued from page 5)
We decided to take the scenic Hooker Cut, which is a four-lane section of Route 66 that was
abandoned long ago. I didn’t see another vehicle as we traveled the curbed road. The original
Route 66 was known as Teardrop Road as it runs through the community of Devils Elbow. We
passed the old roadhouse known as the Elbow Inn just before crossing Big Piney River on an old
steel bridge. We talked to a local, who told us the bridge was scheduled for replacement and
would soon be closed. He suggested we take a drive down the narrow gravel road along the
river to an old abandoned track and trestle high above the river. We made our way along the
road that got narrower until we rounded a bend in the road and reached the old trestle. After
taking photos, we turned around and headed back toward the original Route 66. Once again we
crossed the river and headed up the hill to a great view of the valley and the bridges below. This
area is all a part of the Ozark Plateau.
66 Drive-In Theatre, Carthage, MO
Photo courtesy of Scott Berka
After a night spent in Springfield,
MO, we continued our journey
through many small Missouri
towns before reaching Carthage,
Webb City, and Joplin, which for
a while put us also on the route
of the Jefferson Highway.
Through Carthage, the route
coincides, too, with U.S. 71, and
some great elements of roadside
history remain in that city, such
as Boots Court and the 66 DriveIn Theater. The city of Joplin
also has a rich history connected
with Route 66, including a
deadly shootout there involving
Bonnie and Clyde and their
gang, and it was also the site of
a devastating tornado in May,
2011. Then we were in Kansas,
the “Sunflower State,” where
Route 66 is all of 13.2 miles long.
Unfortunately, we made a
wrong turn and cut our journey
through Kansas even shorter,
but we did see Baxter Springs
and suddenly found ourselves in Oklahoma.
Entering Oklahoma in the northeast corner of the state, Route 66 seemed to be swallowed up by
I-44 as we made our way toward Tulsa and then across the Sooner State. We spent the night in
Yukon, OK, where we also dined at Primos. The next day we followed Route 66 through El Reno,
and then on the trek to Hydro we traveled over the South Canadian River on the “Pony Bridge,” a
very long and unique bridge made up of pony trusses, each one a little more than 100 feet long.
We continued to make our way toward Weatherford and then stopped in Clinton at the
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Route 66 in many areas is the frontage road to I-40; however, the
route is clearly marked, and at times we were driving I-40. We stopped next in Elk City at the
National Route 66 Museum. We ate lunch in Sayre, OK, at a great place called the West Main
Grill. Going through Erik, OK, we passed by the Roger Miller Museum at the corner of Roger
Miller Boulevard and Shep Wooley Avenue. Shep made a few movies and starred on “Rawhide”
but is also remembered for his hit song “The Flying Purple People Eater.” Goodbye to Oklahoma
and hello to Texas.
Page 7
(Eye
on Itasca, Continued from page 2)
The CCC crews contributed to structures still dear to Itasca State Park visitors. The men and boys
of the CCC hauled 40,000 cubic yards of fill to restore the shoreline of the Mississippi River and
created the 40-foot dam topped with stepping stones across the Mississippi Headwaters. They
also built the Old Timer’s Cabin constructed of logs so large just four of them make an entire wall
and erected the log and stone Forest Inn, near Douglas Lodge.
Park visitors can learn more about the park’s natural, cultural, historical, and archeological
resources at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center and Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center.
Visitors’ other favorite sites to explore are the Aiton Heights fire tower, Lake Ozawindib and
Mary Lake, Dr. Roberts Nature Trail, Preacher’s Grove, the Pioneer Cemetery, Peace Pipe Vista,
the Indian Burial Mounds, and Douglas Lodge. Wilderness Drive features the park’s oldest pines
and borders part of a 2,000-acre wilderness sanctuary that is one of Minnesota’s seven National
Natural Landmarks.
The tour will give visitors a glimpse of all things Itasca. You may want to plan a return trip to see
more.
Welcome New JHA Members!
Gary & Leslie Poitevent
Robert Welsh
Bob Stinson
Muskogee Public Library
Carole Sue & Jim Triplett
Jerald Alger
Deane & Jill Johnson
Rod Nordberg
Ren Holland
Muskogee Chamber of Commerce
Muskogee, OK
Colo, IA
Des Moines, IA
Muskogee, OK
Ames, IA
Fruitport, MI
Park Rapids, MN
Park Rapids, MN
Little Falls, MN
Muskogee, OK
If your membership renews during the months of October, November,
December, or January, you should have received a renewal application in the
mail. You can also renew with PayPal by going to the JHA website
www.jeffersonhighway.org. Thanks to everyone who has returned the
completed application and $20 yearly dues.
If you are one of the few who have not renewed, please do so today. We need
your continued support if we are going to be successful in promoting the
.
Page 8
The President’s Report for January 2014
H
ello, everyone. Happy New Year. 2014 is certainly getting off to an exciting – and chilly –
start for some of us. Here in Little Rock we got a little rain and
some chilly temps but nothing like our northern members are getting
as I write this. Can you imagine what is must have been like during
1916-1929 driving the Jefferson Highway in cars of that era? All I can
say is Brrrrrr.
2014. The start of a new year. Have you made any resolutions for the
new year? I started thinking about resolutions when Lyell had to
remind me a second time to write something for the newsletter. It got
me to thinking. Sure, losing weight and getting in shape flitted through
my mind but thinking of Lyell made me think I should do something for
the Jefferson Highway. So, I have resolved to write an article for the
newsletter in 2014.
Theresa Russell
Yikes. Now I have about 100 witnesses to my New Year’s Resolution. No pressure. How about
you? If each of us wrote an article on some fabulous research connected with the Jefferson
Highway, or simply reported on some interesting highway-related activity, we would have the
four 2014 issues packed with exciting articles and reports. And, as an added bonus, we would
make Lyell happy, I think. So, resolve to make Lyell Henry happy for 2014, submit an article or
report for the Jefferson Highway Association newsletter. This is also a way for us to get to know
one another, I think. So, what is happening in your neck of the woods (or highway)? Let’s get
busy and get the year off to a productive start for the Jefferson Highway.
Until next time, stay warm and be safe. And happy driving, researching, writing, and submitting.
Theresa at [email protected].
(Medal Winner, Continued from page 3)
According to another notice in the same issue, the JHA board of directors accepted the offer of
the Russell Grader Company “with a hearty vote of thanks for this practical cooperation” and
turned the matter over to the JHA general manager, who was instructed “to work out a plan to
utilize [the medals] to the best advantage.” But were any medals ever awarded or even made?
I’ve never seen one or read any further reference to the medals or the award program.
Perhaps the medals and the radiator emblems were promotional projects that were never
brought to fruition, but if they did exist and were used, it would be desirable to find examples of
each and to learn more about them. If you have any information about either of these items,
and the membership certificate as well, the Newsletter Editorial Committee hopes that you’ll
send it in to be passed along in these pages.
Page 9
Now Available to JHA Members
High Quality Reproduction “Pine to Palm”
Signs
Top sign is an original Jefferson Highway porcelain sign. Lower sign is one of the new
Pine to Palm signs. The new signs are the same size as the originals (10”x30”) made
with high-intensity reflective sheeting on .080 aluminum sign stock (the same material
used for today’s road signs).
Limited Quantities Available
$35.00 each plus shipping
For more details or to order yours email
Scott Berka at [email protected]
Page 10
Jefferson Highway Association Minutes
Board of Directors Conference Call
October 17, 2013
On Call: Carol Ahlgren, Scott Berka, Theresa Russell, Glenn Smith
Absent: David McDowell, David Stearns, Melissa Phillips
In absence of agenda, discussion proceeded along following points.
Scott Berka reported that the group has now exceeded the 100 mark for membership. Scott also
reported the LHA member and newsletter editor Lyell Henry is currently writing a book under
contract with the University of Iowa Press regarding the JHA in Iowa to coincide with the
highway's 100th anniversary in 2015. Scott has assisted with mapping and photography.
JHA Brochures
Potential vendors and the production of JHA maps and brochures had previously been discussed
via email with the entire board. Discussion continued regarding this matter, e.g. should maps
and brochure be done via separate vendors, in Iowa and in Arkansas or could they be
consolidated. The consensus of the board members on the call was that development of a
brochure was crucial for the JHA.
After much discussion, Glenn Smith moved that Scott Berka pursue working with Sigler Inc. to
develop a JHA brochure, including maps, not to exceed $500, with a run of 1,500; draft to be
approved by the JHA board. Ahlgren seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
2014 Conference
The 2014 JHA Conference will take place in Park Rapids MN in May, 2014. Board members Scott
Berka and David McDowell travelled to Park Rapids in July and met with local planning
committee, consisting of 10 local JHA members.
Ahlgren suggested that Berka and McDowell prepare a report of their meeting(s) for the board
and potentially the newsletter. It was noted that the cover story for the recent newsletter was
an excellent introduction to the 2014 conference in Park Rapids, MN. Ahlgren noted that she
had historic postcards of the area that could be scanned for inclusion on the JHA website and/or
Facebook page.
Internet/Facebook
Discussion occurred regarding the Facebook page and its interface with the JHA website.
Theresa and Glenn were praised for their continual updates and new information regarding the
JHA. The importance of keeping the content current and getting updates was discussed.
Ahlgren mentioned that she has agreed to prepare an article about the JHA for either the online
edition or magazine of Minnesota's state-wide historic preservation group. Discussion ensued
regarding potential for similar articles in other JH states.
2015 Centennial
Discussion included the need to mark the highway through each state, the lack of local and/or
state awareness and support. The issue was raised that the JHA centennial may not take place in
New Orleans, given the lack of local contact/support. The board members on the call discussed
the possibilities of holding the centennial conference in another location, e.g. one with strong
local awareness and support. No vote or final consensus was reached, although the board
agreed that this needs to be addressed during the next conference call and/or meeting.
Respectfully submitted
Carol Ahlgren
MN Board Member
Page 11
Jefferson Highway Association Minutes
Board of Directors Conference Call
July 18, 2013
On Call: Carol Ahlgren, Scott Berka, David McDowell, Therese Russell, David Stearns, Glenn
Smith.
Absent: Melissa Phillips
Much discussion occurred regarding the use and potential copyright of former JHA president
Mike Conlin's map(s) and how to negotiate the use of his material for a brochure, web domain
ownership, and payment for use of the maps. This discussion represented follow-up to extensive
email communication between board members and Conlin which occurred for several days prior
to the conference call.
It was also discussed that Conlin also has other materials for sale, e.g. magnets and t-shirts. Via
email he requested $1,500 for use/ownership of his maps. Board consensus was that this is too
much money for the organization at this time; no official action taken.
Conferences
Future conferences were discussed. The 2014 conference will take place in Park Rapids, MN.
Board members Berka and McDowell discussed their upcoming visit to the area to meet with
local JHA members and tour potential conference venues and tours. Berka and McDowell
agreed to continue work on the Conference Manual for review by the full board and to present
the manual to the Park Rapids conference planning committee.
2015 Centennial
Discussion regarding the proposed Centennial in New Orleans occurred, including concerns
regarding the lack of local support/organizers. No official action ensued. The 2016 conference,
however, is scheduled to take place in Muskogee, OK.
Brochures/marketing
A draft brochure prepared by David McDowell had been previously submitted to and reviewed
by the full board. No official action taken.
Route 66 conference/participation
A Route 66 Conference in Joplin, MO, crossroads of the JH with Route 66, will take place August
1-3. JHA President Russell and board member David Stearns discussed their plans to attend with
informational table regarding the JHA.
Respectfully submitted
Carol Ahlgren, David McDowell
Page 12
Conference Registration
Page 13
Member Registration
Please fill out a separate sheet for each member of the household and return to:
Jefferson Highway Association
c/o Scott V. Berka-Treasurer
P.O. Box 294
Colo, IA 50056
Please Print
Date____________________
Annual membership is from date of enrollment.
( ) New Member
( ) Renewal
Name ____________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________
City ______________________________ State _________ Zip/Postal Code
________
Home Phone (_____) _______________ Work Phone (_____) _______________
Fax (_____) _______________
E-mail address __________________________________
______ I am enclosing annual membership dues of $20.00 per household
I am interested in:
_____Sociability Run _____Route marking & Governmental route recognition
_____Historical Research _____Helping produce the monthly newsletter
_____Marketing & Tourism _____Merchandising & Trademark protection
_____Maintaining JHA Facebook
_____Other
____________________________________________________________
_____I have historic photographs, postcards, tourism booklets, news articles or
other information relating to the Jefferson Highway and would like to share them.
Page 14
The Jefferson Highway
was conceived in 1915,
only two years after the
origin of the Lincoln
Highway, and was intended to be the northsouth equivalent of that
first great east-west
transcontinental highway. Billed as running
“From Pine to Palm,” the
Jefferson Highway began
in Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada, and ran through
Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas (variant
routes in the latter two
states), Oklahoma,
Texas, and Louisiana,
reaching an end in New
Orleans. A later route
variant added Arkansas
to the states traversed by
the highway.
Stuff You Should Know
Questions, Comments, Ideas, Letters to the Ed? Contact Us.
Jefferson Highway Declaration
209 Main Street
Colo, IA 50056
Phone 641-377-2248 or Toll Free 877-234-2656
Fax 641-377-2238
www.jeffersonhighway.org
Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Jefferson-Highway/129069972974
Flickr www.flickr.com/photos/80163577@N07/
JHA Officers
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Theresa Russell, Little Rock, AR [email protected]
David McDowell, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada [email protected]
Melissa Phillips, Butler, MO
[email protected]
Scott Berka, Colo, IA
[email protected]
Other Members of JHA Board of Directors
Carol Ahlgren
Glenn Smith
David Stearns
Crystal, MN
Muskogee, OK
Olathe, KS
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Newsletter Editorial Committee
Lyell Henry, Chair Iowa City, IA
Mike Kelly
Colo, IA
Paul Walker
Wilton, IA
[email protected]
JHA Mission Statement

The Jefferson Highway Association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and
scientific purposes and shall work for and promote the preservation of the Jefferson Highway in the United States of America and Canada.

The Jefferson Highway Association (JHA) shall identify, preserve, interpret and improve access to the Jefferson Highway and its associated sites.

The JHA shall pursue the appropriate measures to prevent further deterioration, destruction
or alteration of the remaining sections of the Jefferson Highway.

The JHA shall publicize and seek public awareness of its goals and activities for preserving,
promoting and developing the Jefferson Highway.

The JHA shall facilitate research about the Jefferson Highway, and maintain a web site and
publish a newsletter for articles and news of activity relevant to the JHA.

The JHA shall work with local communities and businesses to promote the Jefferson Highway as a tourism destination.

The JHA shall be exclusively charitable and educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)
(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (The JHA shall be a not-for-profit organization and as it
matures, the JHA shall seek official 501(c)(3) status.