03/10/2026
Stop #67 on America 250 Stops in 250 Days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway is the Page Hotel, where Alice Ramsey Stayed.
Several historic buildings flank the byway through Mechanicsville's downtown. Alice Ramsey, the first woman to drive across America in 1909, prior to the Lincoln Highway being established, got stuck in the town during a torrential rainstorm. The party stashed their car in a livery stable and then dashed through the rain to a local restaurant, then spent the night at the Page Hotel. William Page built the hotel in1890.
The Page Hotel was later turned into the Page Apartment building by William's daughter, Mrs. F. M. Wilson.
Ramsey drove a green Maxwell, and although she had 3 other riders, she was the only one who could drive a car. She loved to drive and may not have given up the wheel to someone else even if they could. The 3,800-mile trek took 59 days to complete. Happy International Women's Day!
See you on the byway! 🛺
America250 Mechanicsville Iowa History Center Travel Iowa
