Route 30 Mural Installation Set for Friday, April 5

Chicago Heights will soon be the home of the ninth and final mural along Route 30 in the south suburbs, as part of the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition's Interpretive Murals program. The mural is part of a 35-piece series that spans 179 miles of Route 30 in Illinois.

Each mural depicts 'the history, heritage and events of the highway and its impact on the communities,' according to DriveLincolnHighway.com.

The Chicago Heights mural is based on a historic photograph of the McEldowney Bridge where the Lincoln Highway crosses Thorn Creek.

The photo was chosen due to the bridge's advancements, such as separate and protected pedestrian walkways and concrete lanterns, according to a press release from the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau. The first Field Secretary of the Lincoln Highway Association, Henry C. Ostermann, crossed the bridge bi-annually as he inspected the new coast-to-coast highway.

“As the ‘Crossroads of the Nation,’ Chicago Heights has always been an important stop on the Lincoln Highway,” said Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez in the release. “This spectacular mural tells the story of innovations the city pushed forward and the significance the city had as part of the 3,330 mile Lincoln Highway.”

Each hand-painted mural is valued at $10,000, with the project financed by National Scenic Byway Grant from the Federal Highway Administration and an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism, Tourism Attraction Development Grant, according to the release.

Those wishing to witness the 'Golden Screw,' being set in place can attend the ceremony at 137 E. 14th St., near the corner of Route 30 and McKinley Avenue, on Friday, April 5, at 12:30 p.m.