U.S. 60 (The Midland Trail)

A Stanley Steemer



From the journals:
As highways began to criss-cross this country, it became apparent that a coast to coast national highway would come through the county.  United States’ highways running north and south were given odd numbers and those running east and west were given even numbers.  Hence, the U.S. highway traversing Bath County became U.S. 60.
The section of the new highway through Bath County was called the Midland Trail in the beginning.  Businesses in the area were named for the great new highway.  There was a Midland Trail Hotel in Mt. Sterling and also one in Morehead.
During construction of the Bath County section of the Midland Trail, the rock cement and sand for the concrete was transported by a narrow gauge railroad.  The tracks ran along the road bed itself, making it convenient for unloading those ingredients in the large concrete mixer.
After the ‘Trail’ had been completed from the Montgomery County line to Owingsville, the small track was left intact for some six months.  Boys from Owingsville would push one of the little freight cars up the grade as far as possible and then jump in the car for a fun ride down.
As good or decent highways were constructed, so the rapid increase of automobiles became apparent.  The names Model T Ford, Model A Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Buick, Cadillac, and Pontiac are familiar to most, but have you heard of the Chandler, Franklin, Hupmobile, Stutz Bearcat, Cord, Auburn, Marmon, Pierce Arrow, Moon, Stanley Steamer, and the Durant?
I meant to have more about the founding of the Chamber of Commerce and some of the controversy surrounding the building and naming of U.S.60, but the Library of Congress's website is closed due to the government shutdown, and I have been accessing old newspapers there.  Hope you enjoyed this piece. -Ginger

The Hupmobile (I absolutely LOVE this car!)
"Uncle Ruby"
Reuben Walton Kincaid, Sr.   He helped found the Bath County Chamber of Commerce and acted as its first chairman.  The organization was originally called "The Business Men's Association of Bath County" and it was expressly formed to ensure that U.S. 60 would pass through Bath County.  Mr. Burl thought the world of this man.  His son R.W. had a sleigh riding accident that eventually led to his death and lots of the older folk in Bath County remember the incident well.  And that's a small town for you.  When a younger person dies, everybody in the community grieves.





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