VIEW MAP OF THE LOST ROADS OF LINCOLN
1. Old Lincoln Highway (Lincoln Blvd – Downtown Segment)
Coordinates: 38.8919, -121.2938
Directions from Beermann’s Plaza:
Head south on Lincoln Blvd toward 5th Street. Park along the curb near the historic storefronts — anywhere between 5th & 7th Street is part of the original US 65 alignment.
What to Look For:
• Straight, narrow lanes hugging the old storefronts.
• Slight road “dip” near the Beermann’s crosswalk — the same grade as 1920s paving.
2. California Central Railroad Terminus Area (1861)
Coordinates: 38.8936, -121.2978
Directions:
From Beermann’s, go west on 5th Street to E Street, turn right, and continue two blocks to the old tracks behind the industrial area near Gladding McBean.
What to Look For:
• Freight spurs behind the factory — that’s roughly where the 1861 line stopped.
• Small rise in the dirt lot just north of the paved area — part of the original grade.
3. Old Hwy 65 / Nicolaus Road West Stub
Coordinates: 38.882416, -121.322806
Directions:
Take Highway 65 south, exit at Nelson Lane, then head west and curve north onto Nicolaus Road. Drive until you see a short paved stub on the left that dead-ends into weeds.
What to Look For:
• Pavement fragments with visible double-yellow center remnants.
• Field edge with an old culvert pipe.
4. Auburn Ravine Crossing Area (McBean Park Drive)
Coordinates: 38.8927, -121.2875
Directions:
From Beermann’s Plaza, take 5th Street east, cross Lincoln Blvd, and continue onto McBean Park Drive. Stop at the small bridge near the park entrance.
What to Look For:
• The raised bridge and retaining walls show layers of road rebuilds.
• Auburn Ravine where early wagons once forded before the bridge existed.
5. Sheridan Direction – Old Grade Trace (Roadside View)
Coordinates: 38.9362, -121.3188
Directions:
Head north out of Lincoln on Highway 65 toward Sheridan. About 2 miles before town, look east across the fields. You’ll notice a straight, slightly raised line running parallel to the road — that’s the old grade.
What to Look For:
• Linear mound through pastureland marking the 1861 extension grade.
• Good roadside pull-off on the west side of the highway near the old ranch fence.
Start at Downtown Lincoln → McBean Park → Terminus → Nicolaus Road Stub → Sheridan Viewpoint.
That route keeps you looping north and west without backtracking, about a 40-minute total loop.
