Iowa’s Lincoln Highway – Clinton to Clarence

For many years, I’ve heard the term “flyover country” and I get that there are certainly stretches of highway dull enough to have you thinking, “why didn’t I just buy a plane ticket?”  But it is the hidden gems you find along the way that make it extra special, an experience you simply can’t get unless you’re willing to hop in your car and take the road, that’s often less traveled. 

In Iowa one of the best routes to get a taste of the Hawkeye state is the historic Lincoln Highway which runs 460 miles from the Mississippi River at the Illinois state line to the Missouri River across from Nebraska.

Starting in the east, the first 70 miles of the Lincoln Highway takes you from a riverfront town with singing lighthouses to a prairie town filled with pride for its roots in this historic route across the country.

Here are a few things you’ll find on a Lincoln Highway drive on the drive from Clinton to Clarence, Iowa.

Clinton

When you are coming from Illinois the Lincoln Highway journey in Iowa begins at the Mississippi River, a legendary waterway intertwined with much of the nation’s history.  What better place to start a Lincoln Highway road trip than here in the river town of Clinton. (A little side note, my family and I live in another Clinton more than a thousand miles away).

This town of 25,000 people takes a great deal of pride in its association with the river and nowhere is that more evident that the city’s Riverfront Park.  From here you can get a good look at the Lincoln Highway Suspension Bridge crossing the Mighty Mississippi along with a much lower “rotating” steel trussed railroad bridge just down river.

It is my understanding much of what you see along Clinton’s riverfront is on or near a levee constructed after a devastating flood.   There are three “lighthouses” along the river built as decorative structures.  Some articles online refer to them as “singing” lighthouses as speakers were installed on them to play music for park visitors.   These bright white structures with blue trim are just some of landmarks you’ll find. 

Clinton’s Riverfront park is home to the Clinton Showboat, an historic vessel that, according to the Showboat’s website, churned the waters of the Ohio River for more than two decades.  The City purchased the vessel once known as “The Omar” from the State of West Virginia where it had been used in that state’s Centennial Celebration.  The boat was eventually converted into a unique place to enjoy live theater.  The Riverfront Park is also home to a bandshell, the centerpiece of many live events.

Memorials are often fixtures at parks and in Clinton the World War I Memorial is hard to miss.  During our visit back in 2017, the aging bronzed statues had lost most of their luster, then coated in a bluish-green hue.   Now, apparently, they have been restored to their bronzed glory, so I’m guessing we’ll need to make a return trip to see them.     

Clinton does relish its roots as being part of the Lincoln Highway.  Along the way through town you’ll see a few signs marking this special route, most often marked with red, white and blue signage.  Of course, in Clinton you are just across the river from “The Land of Lincoln.” 

*If you are traveling along I-80 in the Quad Cities you can take the first Iowa exit and take U.S. 67 up to Clinton and the Lincoln Highway.  When you do this you pass through the town of Le Claire, home of Antiques Archaeology (a.k.a. the American Pickers store).   Le Claire has a beautiful view of the Mississippi River and is also home to the Buffalo Bill Museum.  

Dewitt

In the heart of the Dewitt (about 20 miles west of Clinton) a colorful array of arrows at the center of a circle marks an historic crossing along the Lincoln Highway.  It is at this spot at 10th Street and 6th Avenue that two trans-national highways, U.S. 30 and U.S. 61 (The Blues Highway) came together.  Together the two roads covered nearly 5,000 miles.   

Next to the historic crossing sits Lincoln Park (not to be confused with Linkin Park, the rock band).  Dewitt’s water tower, emblazoned with the “crossroads” emblem stands in view of the park, but it’s not the only thing that will catch your eye.  The park is home to the Hausbarn Museum, a piece of Germany dating back to the 1700’s that was taken down and reassembled here in Dewitt.

Downtown Dewitt displays many of the trademarks of a Midwestern Town.  10th Street is the “Main” Street with rows of businesses lining each side of the road.  

On the day we visited there were a number of flags waving in the crisp breeze including “Breast Cancer Awareness” and “4-H” banners.   The Downtown is filled with places to eat and shop and is home to an old Opera House that still presents live productions.  

Clarence

After leaving Dewitt you’ll pass through several small towns like Grand Mound, Wheatland and Lowden before coming to Clarence.  This classis Iowa small town puts a spotlight on its ties to the historic Lincoln Highway as it passes through  town.  

At the corner of Main and Sixth Avenue, you’ll see stripes of red, white and blue with a giant “L” at the center letting you know you’re passing through on the Lincoln Highway.  Another striking feature in Clarence is a  mural depicting the history of the town’s early railroad days.  You’ll find it on a building along Main Street.  The edge of the mural has that familiar Lincoln Highway “L” and stripe running down the side of the building.  

The Lincoln Highway Continues

This 70 mile stretch of the Lincoln Highway is only a small taste of what you’ll find on the rest of the route. Along the way, the highway runs through Iowa’s second largest city; a town known for its Jumbo Well; a unique Lincoln Highway bridge; by the campus of the state’s largest University; and into a town known for its historic and scenic railroad.