New Lincoln Highway chapter established

Van Wert independent reports

While Van Wert is just a small dot on the Lincoln Highway map, the local community has earned praise from all around the state for its promotion of the historic highway.

“We’ve all been talking about what Van Wert has been doing down here,” said Jim Cassler, president of the Akron-based Eastern Ohio Chapter of the Lincoln Highway Association. “The centennial celebration activities this year have made people notice Van Wert County. It’s wonderful what you guys do here.”

Cassler was just one of several people who spoke at a meeting held Tuesday evening in the annex of the Van Wert County Historical Museum. The meeting also established a Western Ohio Chapter of the Lincoln Highway Association based in Van Wert. The chapter will work in conjunction with the previously established Eastern Ohio and Mid-Ohio chapters.

Local resident Larry Webb, who grew up along the Lincoln Highway during his childhood in the Convoy area and spearheaded local efforts to establish the new chapter, will serve a two-year term as its first president.

Webb, who said he made an unsuccessful attempt to establish a Lincoln Highway Association chapter seven or eight years ago, was pleased that renewed interest in the historical highway has made establishing a chapter possible.

“This year, with Lincoln Highway’s 100th year, there is more interest than there has ever been,” Webb noted. “This is the time to do it.”

Larry Dealey of Convoy was elected vice president of the local chapter, while Scott Little of Bluffton was chosen secretary-treasurer and Linda Baker of Delphos will be program coordinator.

In addition to Cassler, several other prominent members of the Ohio Lincoln Highway Association attended Tuesday’s meeting. They included Mike Buettner, president of the Lincoln Highway Ohio League, and Mike McNaull, president of the Mid-Ohio Chapter, who offered ideas for meeting agendas and future program ideas.

Mike Hocker, director of the Ohio Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, was also present to offer support and encouragement for the new chapter.

A number of local officials were also on hand for the meeting, including representatives of the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners, Van Wert Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Main Street Van Wert.

The next meeting of the new Lincoln Highway Association chapter will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, at a Delphos location yet to be announced. Those interested in the history of the Lincoln Highway or in becoming a member of the new chapter, can check out the Lincoln Highway Association website at www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org or contact Webb through the local CVB at 419.238.9378 or by email at info@visitvanwert.org.