Through the Heartland on U.S. 20: The Series

We have designed these historical travel guides to be with the user as he/she travels the road. In the first section of each chapter we provide a narrative of places and things the highway passes each mile along the way. Periodically, we provide some historical development of the road as it was originally built, expanded or improved.

Next we provide a historical background of the community through which U.S. 20 travels. We have chosen to use AAA maps as our guide. If a town appears on an AAA map, we have provided data about how the town began; who the original settlers were; how and why the community got its name; the significant events in that village's, town's or city's history. We include some of the significant personages who called that community home.

Sometimes we get to a place marked on the AAA map where a community is supposed to be – only to find nothing. In fact we have talked to people in the area that have never heard of a place by such a name. One time we drove right past where a town was suppose to be and never saw it. We returned and found there were some vestiges of a community still there – but off the highway and beyond some trees. We love challenges such as these. It has led us to some interesting investigations, and through the help of historical society librarians, we have always unearthed something.

The third section in each chapter is "Things to Do and See" in that community. In some cases there isn't much, other than driving along U.S. 20. In large communities there are a wide variety of things to do and see. We briefly describe the identified activity; whether we think it worth the time to visit or view, the cost, the times and days the venue is open, and directions to the site.

The fourth section in many chapters is "Recommended Restaurants." We have two criteria: First, the restaurant has to serve good food. Second, if the restaurant is in a historical location, it's even better. Our question for local folks is: Where do you eat when you go out? This is often not what they would suggest, if they think you are looking for the fanciest place in town. We have eaten in all restaurants included in the books. Some are places where a visitor would never think to stop and eat, because its outside appearance is not particularly attractive.

The last section in each chapter identifies campgrounds near to U.S. 20. We originally thought we would recommend bed 'n breakfast establishments, but along came the web and they are easy to discover. Campgrounds, particularly in the east, are often difficult to find, even with a Good Sam Campground Directory. Here again, we have stayed in each campground we identify. Notice we didn't say recommended, but we have identified the campground's location.