Malta was home to the first "Seedling Mile" on the Lincoln Highway, a paved strip built as a demonstration of the advantages of concrete travel over mud in order to win donations for paving the Lincoln Highway in Illinois. Known throughout the land, Malta's Seedling Mile drew car owners who came to try the famous road. Illinois was the first state to produce this example of a long-lasting, easy-to-travel road, hoping it would cultivate additional seedling miles and show what an improved highway could do for the nation. Dr. J.W. Corkings, consul for the local highway area, led the effort by collecting funds and securing a particularly muddy site for the first demonstration. He obtained a steam-operated concrete mixer and engineering expertise from Springfield; the mixer had previously been used only for sidewalks. Dr. Corkings received the concrete gratis, along with County Board funds and public donations, and contributors of $25 or more received a mahogany plaque.