AASHTO: Interstate 50th Anniversary

On the Road to Abilene: Abilene, KS – June 22-23

President Dwight D. Eisenhower's boyhood home.

At the Kansas state line, several vehicles joined the convoy from KDOT, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and other organizations. KDOT placed banners on several of the overpasses along I-70. Various groups, such as Chambers of Commerce and service organizations (American Legions, Kiwanis, etc.), lined overpasses to greet the convoy as it drove across the state.

The Abilene Chamber of Commerce, along with other organizations, sponsored activities to welcome the group to the city of Abilene. A car show and other activities were held on the evening of June 21 at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum.

The evening of June 22, Dan Holt, Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum, hosted a panel discussion with several distinguished guests highlighting various aspects of Eisenhower's tremendous involvement and impact on the nation's Interstate system. Kansas Turnpike Authority Chairman Mary Turkington; Jim Brewer, KDOT Engineering Manager; Constance Achterburg, an attorney who handled land condemnation for the original Interstate construction; former Assistant Secretary/State Transportation Engineer Mike Lackey; and Dan McNichol participated on the panel.

A PDF brochure describing the events can be downloaded here.

Wednesday, June 21

6:00 pm	Car Show Staged at the Eisenhower Museum Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum – 200 SE 4th St.; Exit #275 off I-70 Music and ice cream social Open to the public
6:30 pm	Convoy Arrives Abilene Joins event at Eisenhower Museum in progress
7:00 pm	Presentations at President Eisenhower's Boyhood Home Merrill Eisenhower Atwater delivers remarks from the porch

Thursday, June 22

12:00 pm	Tour of historic areas in Abilene
6:00 pm	Parade of Antique Cars
7:00 pm	Panel Discussion Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum Moderator: Dan Holt, Director, Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum Panel: Dan McNichol, author Mary Turkington, Kansas Turnpike Authority Jim Brewer, KDOT Constance Achterburg, attorney Mike Lackey, former Assistant Secretary and State Transportation Engineer Dan McNichol, author

Friday, June 23

7:00 am	Pace Car from Kansas City Speedway Meets Convoy at the Eisenhower Museum Pace Car leads convoy to Kansas City
7:30 am	Convoy Departs for Kansas City, KS (150 miles) Farewell parade with American Legion Riders through town Kansas delegation escorts the Convoy to Kansas Speedway

During the Abilene to Kansas City leg of the trip, the convoy traveled on the first section of Interstate roadway opened to traffic in the United States after the 1956 bill signing. That section is just west of Topeka in Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties.

Host

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

On the Road to Abilene: Abilene, KS – June 22-23

Wednesday, June 21

Thursday, June 22

Friday, June 23

Host

Sponsors