In 1941, Clyde Crissey Jr. established the Lincoln Motor Court on Tull's Hill in Pennsylvania despite the rise of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Today,Avery Hinson and Kyle Brown are restoring the site to preserve the legacy of the nation's first transcontinental road.
The $10 Million Property Slump that Haunted the Lincoln Highway
The origin of the Lincoln Motor Court is rooted in an era of economic anxiety. In January 1941, local business leaders gathered at the Ford Bedford Inn to address the existential threat posed by the newly developed Pennsylvania Turnpike.. According to the report, these leaders feared the turnpike would divert traffic and drain approximately $200,000 annually from the local economy, while potentially slashing statewide property values by $10 million.
In an attempt to stem this tide, state officials—including Senator Charles Ealy and Assistant Secretary of Highways C.H. buckius—implemented a $12 million modernization project. This investment focused on a specific 7-mile stretch of road between Everett and Bedford. Despite these government efforts,the turnpike successfully shifted long-distance travel patterns, leaving the quaint diners and motels of the original Lincoln Highway to fight for survival.
Nine Permastone Cabins and the 2027 Completion Goal
While many roadside businesses folded, Clyde Crissey Jr. bet on the enduring appeal of Bedford County by building 12 cabins atop Tull's Hill. As the source details, this vision is now being realized by Avery Hinson and Kyle Brown. Hinson is the great-great-grandson of Thomas Mitchell, the original carpenter who helped build the court.
The restoration process is a meticulous effort to return the site to its mid-century aesthetic. Currently, nine of the 12 cabins have been fully restored, featuring their original hip-roofs and signature Permastone siding. Hinson and Brown have set a target for the remaining three cabins to be fully operational by 2027, ensuring the full original footprint of the motor court is preserved.
Tull's Hill as a Bastion Against Digital Isolation
The revival of the Lincoln Motor Court reflects a broader cultural pivot toward "slow travel" and tangible community experiences. By transforming the site into a community hub, Hinson and Brown are leveraging the nostalgia of the American roadside to combat modern digital isolation.. The site now hosts live music weekends and a "Christmas in July" fundraiser dedicated to supporting local charities.
This shift mirrors a growing trend across the United States where historic roadside architecture is being repurposed not just as museums, but as active social spaces. The central fire pit at the Lincoln Motor Court serves as a physical anchor, encouraging interactions between strangers in a way that the high-speed efficiency of the Pennsylvania Turnpike never intended.
What remains of Thomas Mitchell's original 1941 blueprints?
While the physical restoration of the Permastone siding is well-documented, several details regarding the original construction remain unclear. the report mentions that Avery Hinson is a descendant of the carpenter Thomas Mitchell, but it does not specify if original architectural plans or diaries from the 1941 build were used to guide the restoration.
Furthermore, it remains unknown how the Lincoln Motor Court's current business model compares to the original revenue goals of Clyde Crissey Jr. While the site now functions as a community hub and event space,the source does not clarify if the cabins are being operated as traditional short-term rentals or purely as preserved historical exhibits.
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