We provide the reprint of the excerpts above, with grateful acknowledgement
to an August 2002 published report, prepared for the Nebraska State Historical Society
and the Nebraska Department of Roads, now known as the (NDOR)
DETROIT-LINCOLN-HIGHWAY
The alignment of the D-L-D * chosen for survey is the 1911-1925 route
and represents the highway’s early development and popularity as a named route.
In May of 1911, proponents of improved highways and representatives from towns
and counties along the Burlington Railroad in Nebraska met in Holdrege
and formed the Omaha-Denver Transcontinental Route Association
By July of 1911 the association had laid out a route between Omaha and Denver, spanning
632 miles across Nebraska and paralleling the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad
* the White Pole Route designation came about as the "OLD" association
sought to "mark" the route . . before numbers . . by painting poles
along the route with a white band and the the letters "OLD"
The route was originally known as the Omaha-Lincoln- Denver, or O-L-D,
but after the extension to Detroit was completed,
it was referred to as the Detroit-Lincoln-Denver, or the D-L-D.
In1919 the route became part of the (NE) state highway system.
Much of the alignment of the D-L-D Highway was designated as U.S. 38
(Now U. S. 6 and U. S. 34) and incorporated into the federal highway system in 1926
In addition to becoming a numbered route, other significant changes to the highway
began to take place, including rerouting and realignment.
After becoming part of the federal highway system in 1926,
the highway entered into a second phase of development.
Information concerning Historic Route 6 and the various designation:
History and Notes: The route of current US-6 in Nebraska was numbered as N-7 in the mid 1920's,
after the multi-numbered 1922 system was revised. In 1926, this became part of the new US-38.
On June 8, 1931, US-38 was decommissioned, and this route was absorbed as part of a US-6 extension.
The 1922 numbers consisted of the following: N-69 from Colorado to Culbertson;
N-67 from Colbertson to Oxford; N-56 from Oxford to Holdredge;
N-53 from Holdredge to Hastings; N-40 from Hastings to Fairmont;
N-32 from Fairmont to Dorchester (unnumbered from Dorchester to Lincoln);
and N-21 from Lincoln to Omaha
We gratefully aknowledge this information from NorthernPlainsHighways.org/Nebraska
Several Ashland Landmarks were part of the route:
The Farmers & Merchants Bank building, containing the Selma Hotel,
opened in 1888, were an important landmark & are mentioned on the map.
We've paved the streets since these pictures were taken ! first with brick, and today they are concrete
NEED FUEL and SERVICE while traveling ? ?
Forrest L. Raikes built the 'filling station' & garage building pictured below, circa 1922 Note the "US 38" signage on the canopy . . left of "VULCANIZING"
The Raikes Garage, built by Forrest L. Raikes in 1922, was on the original Highway 6
in the days when the section through Ashland and was called US 38 until NOV of 1926.
(see US 38 sign on the canopy - left of the word VULCANIZING)
Photo courtesy of Shirley (Raikes) Hemke, daughter of Forrest L. Raikes
Mr. Raikes operated his John Deere & Goodyear dealerships until, his retirement.
The beautifully restored building @ 16th & Silver Strets,
has been the home of LEE SAPP FORD for several years.
The picture below was taken by Mr. Raikes for Ashland's Centennial in 1957
It should be noted that "Forrest" LOVED photography !
MANY Ashlanders had their wedding pictures, high school graduation & reunion pictures, etc.
taken by "Forrest". Upon 'retirement', he built an addition to his home for a studio;
continuing his 'hobby' as a full-time business until his accidental & untimely his death.
Another of Ashland's Historic past are its many churches;
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture.
Today, this historic treasure is located just one block North of Lee Sapp Ford
Board and batten construction adds to its individuality, and the building
has undergone only minor alterations since its construction in 1872.
St. Stephen's is the oldest church building in Ashland
Pictures of St. Stephens are shown below
MANY buildings were built along Silver Street - then Route 6
that still serve Ashland today:
Two such important landmarks are the National Bank Building
and the Sheffer Building, built in 1902, which served as the home of
P . W. Folsom Jewelry from 1905, for over 49 years
The National Bank Building; built 1889, is now Lutton Law Office, and listed on the National Register
The Lutton family has completely restored this Landmark and continues to preserve it today
Link to > AHS Society / Events Calendar page for details about P W Folsom Jewelry & the building
ROUTE 6 was re-routed to its present route in late 1920's & early 1930's:
This included new bridges for the highway & the railroad
and new opportunities for commerce:
New buildings, the "B. J. Arnold Triangle", Barnes Oil Company
and several other fuels stations, motels, etc. were built.
pictured below is the Barnes Oil Company in 1932
and the building restoration as the Farmers & Merchants Bank
The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
SAINT STEPHENS EPSICOPAL CHURCH
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture.
Board and batten construction adds to its individuality, and the building has
undergone only minor alterations since its construction in 1872.
St. Stephen's is the oldest church building in Ashland.
The Ashland Arts Council is the 'owner' of this historic landmark
See the Ashland Arts Council pages on this site, for more history of St. Stephens
This historic treasure is located just one block North of Lee Sapp Ford
We hope that you enjoy what we have published above
We will be adding more pictures, history & "stories"
from the archives . . and from YOUR contributions !
Please send your 'pics' stories to Webmaster@AshlandHistoricalSociety.org