The Lincoln Highway: Folsom’s Original Route and Power History
Explore the history of the Lincoln Highway in Folsom, California, where the first transcontinental road met the West's first long-distance high-voltage electricity.
Best quote from The Lincoln Highway: Folsom’s Original Route and Power History
This story matters because it represents the moment we transitioned from a world of isolated towns and steam engines to a world of interconnected grids and personal mobility.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
History of the Lincoln Highway construction and destinations around Folsom, California, specifically focusing on the original route and landmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lincoln Highway represents the first transcontinental road for automobiles in the United States, and a vital segment ran through Folsom, California. Carved out of the old Pioneer Trail, this route transformed Folsom into a critical junction during the nation's transition to personal mobility. It connected distant shores and moved the country away from a world of isolated towns and steam engines toward an interconnected era of automobile travel.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Folsom was considered the high-tech capital of California due to its massive powerhouse on the American River. This facility harnessed the power of falling water to generate 11,000 volts of electricity, which was sent twenty-two miles to Sacramento. This achievement was the first instance of long-distance high-voltage electricity in the West, proving that such a feat was possible despite contemporary skepticism.
The intersection occurred on the dusty ridges of Folsom, where the American River canyon hosted both a cathedral-like powerhouse and the unpaved trail of the Lincoln Highway. This location served as a meeting point for two revolutionary energies: the physical energy of hydroelectric power and the social energy of a nation connecting its coasts by car. Today, this legacy lives on through our modern electrical grids and the tradition of the American road trip.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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