The Lincoln Highway Association was founded in 1913 to promote a
transcontinental automobile route from New York City to San
Francisco. Dedicated on October 31, 1913, the route was marked
by the letter "L" within red, white, and blue bands painted on
telephone poles or signs. The association conceived the Seedling
Mile program to demonstrate the use of concrete as a roadway
surface, including projects in Buffalo County and Hall County in
Nebraska. The Kearney Commercial Club raised funds to construct
a Seedling Mile on West 24th Street from present-day 19th Avenue
to 30th Avenue, formerly a dirt road. The Kearney Daily Hub of
November 5, 1915, described the completed project: "The road is
amply wide enough to make possible the passage of two loaded
hayracks without interference." From 1947 to 1987 this location
was the site of the Hammer Motel, famous for its sign topped by
a giant hammer and three supporting poles made to look like
nails. The building then served as student housing for the
University of Nebr