The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-06-06
CONTENDS FOR ORIGINAL
JACKSON HIGHWAY ROUTE
BY ALMA RITENBERRY
Chairman Jackson Highway, Dauc hters of 1912

Chairman Jackson Iii
Where are we now on the Jackson me-
mortal highway? We are on the same
route we were given four years ago. and
which We have and earnestly worked up
the interest in. The route selected for the
west loop of the Dixie highway by the
Hon. Carl Fisher of Indianapolis. instead
OF by the delegates held at the confer
ence in Chattanooga, does not touch the
jackson highway except through Ken
lucky, the authorities in control of that
route have given that to the daughters
of 1872 for their highway to use as link
in the Jackson highway, their monument
10 Andrew Jackson To prove to you that
We have the prior right, the right of way
through Kentucky, am going to give you
two letters. In July. 1911. wrote to ex-
Mayor Head of Louisville asking his CO.
operation and support in our work. Mayor
Head most cordially Endorsed our work,
and referred me to Hon. II. A. Sommers
of Elizabethtown, Ky. l wrote to Mr..
sommers and this is his reply:
1.-THE Elizabethtown News, Elizabethtown.
KY, July Is. 1911
Miss Alma Rittenberry, Birmingham
Dear Madam: Your letter received this
morning asking me to serve as a member
ct large of the committee of your organi-
cation for the building of the Jackson
way. 1 gladly accept the appointment,
the great Enterprise.
II have been for Is years engaged in
the good roads movement, and am the
...,l.
discussed in Kentucky, which will go
before our next legislature for state aid
to roads. l am also president of the or
sanitation to reconstruct The Old Louis
willie and Nashville turnpike. At the meet
ing held here to launch that project.
left the chair and on the floor made a
motion that we change the name of thu
proposed highway from the Lincoln way
TO the Lincoln and Jackson way, which
was unanimously adopted. 1t is the Lin
coin way from Louisville to Lincoln's
birthplace near here, but as it is to be
extended to Jacksons home at Nashville
thought Jackson's name should be
added. In coupling the two names of the
greatest republican President with the
greatest democratic President we have.
name which appeals to both the north and
the south. 1t will be called the Lincoln
and Jackson way in the north, and l
merely suggest that 1t would be we'll to
have it bear that name from the lakes to
the gulf Whatever the name / am for "
and we have raised so much money al
ready that we expect to build out part of
IT in Kentucky this year. In any way
can serve your call on me ana I will bs
glad to respond. Respectfully,
III. A. SOMMERS."
Encouraged by Ir. Sommers. We went
TO work with vim. At the same time
Tha 1, ot,.t,a Cd Nv Snr o.
tribution, and in replying to him stated
that the Lincoln way, the highway from
Louisville to Lincoln's farm would be
link in the Jackson highway, which you
know runs from Chicago to New Orleans.
We asked for the route of least resistance,
for the old roads and turnpikes running
lorth and south through the states of
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee.
alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. We
did not ask for federal aid to build the
Jackson highway, but we have Interested
rne counties through which the highway
passes. in our work; we have asked them
to issue bonds to repair the old road beds
and build in the misuing links. We asked
for low grade and the width In accord
ance with each states highway commas
sion's approval.
'.In the fall of 1912 the chairman of the
Jackson highway committee went over
the route and discussed with those in
terested in the north and south highway,
from the lakes to the gulf highway the
plans and purposes of the committee her
work was heartily indorsed by the peo-
pie of Bowling Green. Cave City. Mum
fordvlle and Elizabethtown, where she
met Hon. Harry Sommers and Jude
Riker. In Louisville she received the In
norsement of the papers. The Louisville
Herald, September %, 1912, gave column
write-up on the work of the Alabama
daughters of 1872, who launched the pro-
1ect of the lakes to gulf highway as
monument to Andrew Jackson. In that
write-up it says: Mr.. Sommers gave the
Alabama daughters who originated the
movement, the right of way over the turn
pike which will be named the Lincoln
jackson highway through Kentucky. IL
will be the Lincoln way out from Louis
vile to Lincoln's old home place. This
will be o. memorial in the Jackson nigh
way. This project originated with the
Daughters of 1912. wha meeting in conven-
tion decided to erect monument to the
memory of Andrew Jackson"
ut was suggested by leaders in the
society that the finest monument would
be a beautiful road stretching across the
country, and the next suggestion was that
It stretch from the great lakes to the
gulf 1t seems that one cannot build
greater or finer monument to the men,
DRY of the man than a highway. We
Alabama daughters have undertaken to
build the largest monument undertaken
by a patriotic society or organization.
1.-THE plan and scope is practicable and
feasible-something on the states rights;
county to county and state to state con-
Meeting at county and state lines. The
width and grade of the highway will be
governed by the requirements of the laws
and regulations of each states highway
commission. OF course, we won't object
to federal aid but we do not expect 1t.
"At Mammoth Cave, KY, October 4.