1926 Missouri highway renumbering facts for kids
| This article is part of the highway renumbering series. |
|
|---|---|
| Alabama | 1928, 1957 |
| Arkansas | 1926 |
| California | 1964 |
| Colorado | 1953, 1968 |
| Connecticut | 1932, 1963 |
| Florida | 1945 |
| Indiana | 1926 |
| Iowa | 1926, 1969 |
| Louisiana | 1955 |
| Maine | 1933 |
| Massachusetts | 1933 |
| Minnesota | 1934 |
| Missouri | 1926 |
| Montana | 1932 |
| Nebraska | 1926 |
| Nevada | 1976 |
| New Jersey | 1927, 1953 |
| New Mexico | 1988 |
| New York | 1927, 1930 |
| North Carolina | 1934, 1937, 1940, 1961 |
| Ohio | 1923, 1927, 1962 |
| Pennsylvania | 1928, 1961 |
| Puerto Rico | 1953 |
| South Carolina | 1928, 1937 |
| South Dakota | 1927, 1975 |
| Texas | 1939 |
| Utah | 1962, 1977 |
| Virginia | 1923, 1928, 1933, 1940, 1958 |
| Washington | 1964 |
| Wisconsin | 1926 |
| Wyoming | 1927 |
Imagine a time when roads in Missouri suddenly changed their names! That's what happened in 1926 and 1927. Missouri decided to give its state highways new numbers. This big change was needed because a new system for roads was being created across the entire United States.
Why Roads Got New Numbers
Back in the 1920s, the United States started a new plan for its main roads called the US Highway System. This system gave important roads numbers like US 40 or US 61. The goal was to make it easier for people to travel across states.
The Big Mix-Up
Before the US Highway System, Missouri already had its own numbered state highways. But when the new US numbers came out, many of Missouri's old road numbers were the same as the new US numbers! This would have been very confusing for drivers.
For example, Missouri had a "Route 2," but the new national system also had a "US Route 2." To avoid this mix-up, Missouri had to change its state road numbers.
What Happened in 1926
In 1926, many Missouri state highways were completely replaced by the new US Routes. Roads like Missouri Route 2, Route 3, and Route 7 became part of the US Highway System. This meant they were now known as US Route 40, US Route 65, and US Route 63, respectively.
Other Missouri state routes had numbers that clashed with the new US numbers. For instance, Missouri Route 36 had to be renumbered because there was a new US Route 36. The same happened for routes numbered 40, 50, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 67, and 69. These state roads were given completely new numbers to avoid confusion.
One interesting case was Missouri Route 65. It was temporarily removed from the state highway system and didn't get a new number until 1927.
What Happened in 1927
The changes continued into 1927. More new US Routes were added, like US 24 and US 54, which weren't originally planned to go through Missouri. This caused more renumbering for Missouri's state roads.
For example:
- What was first planned as US 62 became US 60.
- What was first planned as US 60 became US 66.
- Missouri State Routes 24 and 54 had to be renumbered.
- Missouri Route 66 was replaced by US 54.
- The road that was Missouri Route 65 before 1926 was finally given a new number: Missouri Route 68.
These changes helped make sure that all the roads in Missouri fit neatly into the new national US Highway System, making travel clearer for everyone.
