Connecting Chicago and Indianapolis

In May 1909 one of the many irons Carl Fisher had in the fire (aside from constructing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, organizing aviation events, motorcycle and auto racing competition at the track, operating his auto dealership, launching an airplane manufacturing business and Empire, the car manufacturer, as well as serving as president of Prest-O-Lite...whew!!!) was assisting with a project to build a privately funded toll road between Chicago and Indianapolis.
 
There was much commerce between the two economic centers at the time. Those with business interests saw opportunity in meaningful connections. A central figure in the project was former chairman of the Indiana Republican party Charles Hernly, prominent in his day, forgotten now...except in the world of First Super Speedway.
 

Read about Hernly, learn about this early effort to modernize roads designed for horse-drawn wagons and even create entirely new highways for the new realities of motorized transport.
Your ride is waiting...but you have to click thru...and say hello to Charles, won't you?