Overseas Highway named All-American Road

Overseas Highway named All-American Road

KEY LARGO, Fla. — The Overseas Highway, which stretches over 127 miles in the Florida Keys, has been named an All-American Road.

Completed in 1938, the Overseas Highway incorporates 42 bridges over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

The All-American Road designation is the highest recognition possible under the National Scenic Byways program.

Only 30 other U.S. roadways have earned the prestigious title.

Keys officials expect the accolade will lead to increased tourism and additional highway funding.

The Overseas Highway follows a trail originally blazed in 1912 when Standard Oil millionaire Henry Flagler completed the extension of his Florida East Coast Railroad from Miami to Key West. Construction of the highway began after the railroad ceased operating following a 1935 hurricane.

In 1982, 37 of the original bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge, were replaced with wider spans. Most of the historic bridges still stand alongside the newer ones and now serve as fishing piers for anglers.

Indiana’s Holiday World sets attendance record

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. — The Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari amusement park in southern Indiana has set an attendance record, drawing more than 1 million visitors for the fourth year in a row.

Holiday World president Will Koch said attendance at the park near the town of Santa Claus grew by nearly 3 percent from last year’s record. Holiday World closed for the season earlier this month with a final crowd mark of 1,039,359.

Koch said the new Pilgrims Plunge water ride contributed to this season’s attendance growth. Next year will feature Holiday World opening the new $5.5 million Wildebeest, which the park says will be the world’s longest water coaster.

Lego-inspired exhibit opens at Ford Museum

DEARBORN, Mich. — A Lego-inspired exhibit has opened at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.

“Lego Castle Adventure” runs through Jan. 3.

The family-focused exhibit includes a suit of armor, a dragon and models of castles made out of Lego blocks. Activities include jousting using foam-rubber lances and, of course, Lego building.

Lego colored plastic building blocks have been a favorite children’s toy for decades. The exhibit was created by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in conjunction with toymaker Lego Systems Inc.

For more information, visit www.thehenryford.org

Casey Jones Museum opens at Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn. — Railroad engineer Casey Jones rode to glory and into American folklore trying to stop his Illinois Central passenger train before it hit a stalled freight train in 1900.

His was the only death that foggy and rainy night at Vaughan, Miss., and his fame was spread by a ballad written by another railroader.

A museum dedicated to John Luther “Casey” Jones has just opened at Casey Jones Village in Jackson, Tenn., where he lived. The museum is in the same location where Jones’ home has been preserved.

Jones picked up his nickname because he was born in Cayce, Ky.

Associated Press