RAWLINS -- Tourism and historic preservation organizations across southern Wyoming are joining forces to pursue the designation of the historic Lincoln Highway as a Wyoming Scenic Byway.
This collaborative effort aims to preserve the highway's history, strengthen regional tourism, support local economies, and encourage travelers to explore the communities along this historic route, according to the Oct. 28 press release from Discover Carbon County.
The partnership includes Visit Cheyenne, Visit Laramie, Discover Carbon County, Sweetwater County Travel & Tourism, Visit Evanston, the Evanston Historic Preservation Society, and the Alliance for Historic Wyoming.
Established in 1913, the Lincoln Highway was one of the nation's earliest transcontinental highways and played an important role in the development of automobile travel and tourism. The proposed scenic byway designation would create a connected historic tourism route across southern Wyoming, encouraging travelers to venture beyond the interstate and discover local museums, historic sites, attractions, restaurants, lodging, and businesses.
"This designation is about more than putting a name on a road," said Megan McComas, project lead. "It is an opportunity to preserve and share an important piece of Wyoming and American transportation history, while using that story to support tourism, local businesses, museums, historic sites, and communities across southern Wyoming."
Project Goals
Through this collaborative initiative, partners aim to:
- Preserve and promote the history and significance of the Lincoln Highway.
- Establish a recognizable historic tourism route connecting southern Wyoming communities.
- Encourage travelers to explore communities and attractions beyond the interstate.
- Increase visitation, overnight stays, and spending at local businesses.
- Strengthen regional partnerships and create new tourism marketing opportunities.
- Promote southern Wyoming's heritage to domestic and international travelers.
Together, the participating organizations hope to preserve an important piece of American history while creating new opportunities for tourism, economic development, and community connections throughout southern Wyoming.
For more information about the Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway project, contact Megan McComas at 307-324-3020 or sales@wyomingcarboncounty.com.