In 1919, the United States Army organized a road trip across the United States that few people know about today. Several hundred soldiers, including a young Dwight Eisenhower, took trucks, cars, motorcycles, and a custom-built wrecker called the "Militor" from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco. The convoy crossed 14 states during their 62-day journey across the Lincoln Highway. Their route brought them across southern Wyoming. Join Jeremy and John as they explore this little-known road trip from the dawn of the motor age.
Episode References:
Davies, Pete. American Road: The Story of an Epic Transcontinental Journey at the Dawn of the Motor Age. New York: Holt, 2002.
Eisenhower, Dwight. Memorandum from Ltc Dwight D. Eisenhower to Chief, Motor Transport Corps. National Archives (November 4 1919). https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/research/online-documents/1919-convoy/1919-11-03-dde-to-chief.pdf.
Jackson, E.R. Report on First Transcontinental Motor Convoy. National Archives (Washington: October 31 1919). https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/research/online-documents/1919-convoy/report-jackson-to-moody.pdf.
The Lincoln Highway Association. The Complete Official Road Guide of the the Lincoln Highway. Detroit: The Lincoln Highway Association, 1916.
US Army. Daily Log of the First Transcontinental Motor Convoy, Washington, Dc to San Francisco, Cal., July 7 to Sept. 6th, 1919. Washington: War Department, 1919.
Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.
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