Compass housed in a round, turned brass case with fitted lid. Scored circles decorate exterior. Inside case bottom is paper printed with decoration and cardinal points. Blued needle has gold-stenciled "N" on one end. Flat glass window on top held with brass retaining ring. Lid screws onto case bottom.
Handwritten note states compass brought to America from Nuremburg, Germany by immigrant ancestor John Leonard Ellmaker(1697-1782) in 1726.
Unknown German maker
Provenance
Descent within Ellmaker family to donor, then donated to the Heritage Center.
Before the Lincoln Memorial was constructed, the nation memorialized Abraham Lincoln with the Lincoln Highway, which now stretches across Lancaster County as Route 462. Inspired by the Good Roads Movement, the Lincoln Highway was formally dedicated Oct. 31, 1913. The Lincoln Highway became affectionately know as "The Main Street Across America."
