Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway facts for kids
The Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway was one of America's first big roads that stretched all the way across the country. It connected New York City on the east coast to Los Angeles on the west coast. This highway competed with other famous roads like the Lincoln Highway and the National Old Trails Road. You could spot its route markers, which said PP-OO.
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Building a Cross-Country Road
The idea for this highway began in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Local towns and cities helped build it by giving money and improving their roads. This was a way to encourage travel and business.
The plan became official on March 18, 1914. This happened at a meeting in St. Joseph, Missouri, with leaders from state and national road departments. The entire highway was finished by 1924.
Why the Route Changed
The original plan for the highway was to go from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco. However, there was already a good road called the National Old Trails Road in the eastern part of the country. This made New York City a better starting point. Also, to compete with the Lincoln Highway and find an easier path south, the end point was changed to Los Angeles.
Colorado's Two Paths
The highway had two different routes through Colorado. Both started in Colorado Springs, Colorado and ended in Grand Junction, Colorado.
- The first route went through towns like Manitou, Buena Vista, Leadville, and Glenwood Springs.
- The second route passed through Canon City, Salida, Montrose, and Delta.
Journey Across America: The Route
The Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway crossed many states from east to west. Here are the main states and some of the cities it passed through:
(This part of the route used roads that later became parts of State Route 7, State Route 151, U.S. Route 22, U.S. Route 250, U.S. Route 36, State Route 751, and State Route 571.)
(This part of the route later became parts of State Road 32 and U.S. Route 136.)
(This part of the route used roads that later became parts of State Route MM and U.S. Route 36.)
(This part of the route later became parts of U.S. Route 36 and U.S. Route 24.)
- Colorado
- Limon
- Colorado Springs
- The first route went through Glenwood Springs.
- The second route went through Montrose.
- Grand Junction
(This part of the route later became part of old U.S. Route 91, which is now a county road.)
