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The Golden Stripe.

Westbound: The Golden Stripe

Field review by the editors.

Blue Earth, Minnesota

Interstate 90 is the longest road in America, 3,081 miles from Boston to Seattle. Its east and west paving crews met just west of Blue Earth, Minnesota, in September 1978. To mark the event, the connecting roadway slab was made of gold-tinted concrete -- a "Golden Stripe" as a nod to the Golden Spike that joined the transcontinental railroad. Two Minnesota National Guard trucks met nose-to-nose at the Stripe, recognizing the interstates' original purpose as a National Defense Highway system. 2,500 people attended the ceremony on September 17, including Miss America and the Jolly Green Giant, who had just arrived from the statue factory and was held aloft by a crane.

The Golden Stripe survived the wear and tear of millions of vehicles for almost 30 years. But by 2006 this stretch of interstate was crumbling and had to be repaved. In recognition of the Stripe's importance, the roadway's golden shoulders were left untouched, and can still be seen today. Matching historical markers were unveiled at twin Rest Areas, adjacent to the Stripe, on either side of I-90.

Westbound: The Golden Stripe

Address:
I-90 E., Blue Earth, MN
Directions:
Park at the Blue Earth Rest Area, which has a historical marker about the Stripe (Although it doesn't call it that). Then you can, very carefully, walk out to the Golden Stripe, which is just after the merge where the Blue Earth Rest Area access road rejoins I-90. This stripe is less visible than the eastbound stripe.
Admission:
Free
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Eastbound: The Golden StripeEastbound: The Golden Stripe, Blue Earth, MN - < 1 mi.
Sprout: Former Papa BurgerSprout: Former Papa Burger, Blue Earth, MN - 1 mi.
Jolly Green Giant MuseumJolly Green Giant Museum, Blue Earth, MN - 1 mi.
In the region:
Bicycle Creatures, Forest City, IA - 36 mi.

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