by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Archivist/Curator
The Meridian Highway, now U.S. Route 81, was the first major north–south route across the Great Plains from Canada to Mexico. The highway includes the following states and providences – Winnipeg, Manitoba, through North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas to Mexico, parallel to the sixth principal meridian.
In 1911, the Meridian Road was organized by a group of “good roads” boosters from Kansas and Nebraska to promote the concept of a direct north-south automobile route through the central United States. John C. Nicholson was president of the Meridian Highway Association with offices in Newton, Kansas.
Completed in the United States in 1924, it was originally known as the Meridian Road. The highway was later renamed the Meridian Highway, and then, US. Highway 81. It has also been called North America’s first international automotive highway and the “Main Street of North America.”
In 1912, John C. Nicholson drove the length of the Meridian Road to Galveston, TX, collecting pennants for each town he went through.
Corner of 7th & Main, Newton, Ks, 1912.
: “Taken on Meridian Road near Kan-Okla state line. Wm. Kennedy at outside in car.”
Meridian Road. c. 1912. Meridian Road party in car parked in front of Hotel Galvez on Seawall Boulevard, Galveston. J. C. Nicholson, back seat right.
“Return to John C. Nicholson, Newton, Kans., Kansan Printing Co., Newton, Kans.”
J.C. Nicholson’s Pennant Collection.