Lincoln Park - San Francisco, CA
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 47.099 W 122° 29.963
10S E 544081 N 4182076
Lincoln Park is located on the northwest section of San Francisco at the area known as Lands End. The park contains the western terminus of the Lincoln Highway.
Waymark Code: WMCMY7
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 09/23/2011
Views: 18
Lincoln Park is located on the northwest section of San Francisco at the area known as Lands End.
The 49-Mile Scenic Drive winds its way through Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is the Western Terminus of the Lincoln Highway, the first road across the United States of America.
Excerpted from the History of Lincoln Park Golf Course website:
In 1902 the parcel of land now referred to as Lincoln Park was a cemetery, which was named Potter’s Field.
John McLaren, San Francisco’s steward of public parks in the early century, suggested that the Potter’s Field site would be a good place for the city to try their hand at constructing some golf holes.
During 1909 the Board of Supervisors by legislative action approved the complete removal of the cemetery and further construction continued on the public golf course on the Potter’s field site. The tract then embraced 150 acres. (At a later date) Fifty acres were turned over to the United States government and added to the Fort Miley reservation, while the balance was kept to be improved for the enjoyment of the public.
The name Lincoln Park was designated by the Board of Supervisors in 1909 as a dedication to President Lincoln.
Near the Lincoln Highway marker is a sign with a map of the Lincoln Highway across the US. The sign reads:
Western Terminus of the LINCOLN HIGHWAY
You are standing at the western terminus of the Lincoln Highway, the first direct coast-to-coast highway from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. It was conceived by Carl FIsher (founder of the Indianapolis Speedway and pioneer developer of Miami Beach) who encouraged manufacturers of autos, tires, and cement to contribute to establish a direct motor vehicle route, traversing some 3300 miles through twelve states, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Thus, the Lincoln Highway Association was founded in 1913 with headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. Its first president was Henry Joy, president of the Packard Motor Car Company. In July-September 1919, a two-mile-long U.S. Army Transcontinental Convoy of 56 military vehicles and 209 men "conquered" the Lincoln Highway after a journey of 62 days. Accompanying the convoy was then Lt. Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower who perceived the need for improved highways for both military and commercial purposes. Thirty-seven years later, President Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act of 1956, giving birth to the Interstate highway system which serves our nation so well today. Interstate 80 follows much of the old Lincoln Highway.
Donated by the California Chapter of the Lincoln Highway Association, September 2005.