If it weren't so dangerous to stop, a small portion of U.S. 30 east of Dyer would be a fascinating reminder of a time when concrete highways were not the commonplace utility we expect today. Current access to the monument is nearly impossible.

In 1921, the Lincoln Highway Association (LHA) created a demonstration it called the Ideal Section, a little over a mile of roadway exhibiting state-of-the-art highway engineering and tourist-friendly design. Today, travelers in the high-traffic area whiz past all that remains of the Ideal Section--a  historic marker and the Ostermann Memorial Bench The marker and bench honor highway history and Indiana's transportation visionaries

Since the area is too dangerous to encourage field trips, let me tell you why it should be remembered.  By 1920 the Federal Government was spending money on roads, but lacked road standards. Ahead of their time, LHA's leaders had the grand ambition of attractive, comfortable coast-to-coast highways.  They promoted beautification of roadways, and quality engineering and construction, always with the tourist's experience in mind.

In the years between 1913 and 1928, the LHA led by example.  Never intending to actually build roads, LHA proposed a good idea, solicited support from auto-related manufacturers, put up signs, printed road guides, and built a short demonstration of an ideal highway.

Approximately one-and-one-third miles long, the Ideal Section used state-of-the-art materials, engineering design, landscaping, and lighting.  Made of concrete ten-inches thick and 40 feet wide, it was one of the nation's first four-lane highways.

The LHA hired the nationally-known landscape architect Jens Jensen to create the landscape plan for the demonstration, with footpaths for pedestrians, roadside plantings using native plant materials, shade trees, and the natural setting of the highway to enhance the traveler's experience.  The Ideal Section attracted the attention and study of highway authorities across the nation.

Henry C. Ostermann, who had worked tirelessly for the Lincoln Highway as its Vice President and Field Secretary, died in an automobile accident on the Lincoln Highway in Iowa in 1920.  In 1926, the Ideal Section was selected as the ideal place for a memorial to Ostermann. The memorial, a bench built of Indiana limestone, includes a bronze plaque paying tribute to Ostermann's accomplishments.  It's an interesting historical site, but be careful if you stop to read the markers!

Recently rescued from ebay by your editor is this very early snapshot of the municipal sign from Dyer.  Later, in 1924 the Ideal Section of the Lincoln Highway was constructed in Dyer as the premier section of paved roadway in the US featuring extra wide lanes, landscape architecture and night lights.

You can read more about the Ideal Section at our Dyer page featuring an article by
by Donn P. Werling, 
Executive Director, Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society, 2002.
Click Here

There are two Historical markers for the Ideal Section from the Indiana Historical Bureau.  You can read the text at their website:
Marker 1
Marker 2