On the 1928 Lincoln Highway route in California, Nov. 2016.
We start in Fairfield via Cordelia. Fairfield – meh. It is a very impressive courthouse (1911), however, complete with Lincoln Highway concrete marker in front. 1010 Empire is the Goosen Mansion (1910) built in the colonial-revival style and the handsome wood-shingled former Methodist church is across the street, both in the historic downtown area. The waving Chief Solano statue dates back to 1934.
Just west of Vacaville is a lovely stretch of the old Lincoln on Cherry Glen Road. Vacaville’s old downtown is a handsome one, and there is a lot of life to it. One of those surprising stops with the secret sauce. I had not been there in many, many years. The 1911 bridge (now pedestrian only) was once the route of the Lincoln along School St. That’s another original concrete marker (this one in Vacaville and the one in Fairfield are the only ones I saw on the entire drive from Vallejo to Vacaville).
Driving on I-80 one doesn’t see these places; it’s good to get off the freeway and explore. The California countryside in the rainy season is lush and green and very different from the dry, golden look at other times.
