Jefferson Davis Highway marker - Thomson, GA Before the United States had highway numbers, we had Auto Trails. These auto trails were cross country highways with names. The Jefferson Davis Highway started in Virginia, came south into Georgia before heading west to California. This specific marker is in Thomson GA near the intersection of US78 and US278. It's located on Hill St. with the First Baptist Church in the background. More on this 1920s Auto trail relic here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Davis_Highway
Will Rogers Highway Route 66 marker - Texola This Marker documents how Route 66 was unofficially named the Will Rogers Highway during a 1952 roadshow. This marker is in Oklahoma just a few feet from the Texas state line. Text of the marker: June 26, 1952, on this location, Route 66 was rededicated as the Will Rogers Highway. This was one of the many ceremonies that took place on the state lines of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California as well as Oklahoma, when a booster caravan traveled from St. Louis, MO. to Santa Monica, CA. The caravan was organized by the Natl. U.S. Highway 66 Assoc., Warner Brothers Film Studio, Ford Motor Company, and the Rt. 66 Associations from those eight states. The original bronze plaque placed here to mark the dedication read: Will Rogers Highway, dedicated 1952 to Will Rogers - Humorist - World Traveler - Good Neighbor. This Main Street of America, Highway 66 was the first road he traveled in a career that led him straight to the hearts of his countrymen.
An Original, Undrivable Segment of Route 66 - Hext, OK Here is an original segment of Route 66 which is no longer drivable. It is located near an area called Hext, between Sayre and Erick in Beckham County, OK. As this area became more popular, it was upgraded from a single lane in each direction to a two-lane divided highway (for a total of four lanes). However, with the creation of Interstate 40 in the area, all the lanes were no longer needed. It went back to only two lanes, and they decided to keep using the newer lanes. These are the original two lanes, which became the westbound lanes during expansion. Most cars could probably handle driving this and there are no physical barriers stopping someone. However, the signs tell us not to.
Original, Drivable Segment of Route 66 - Canute, OK This original segment of Route 66 is located west of Canute, OK. This segment is still drivable. This segment was probably paved in the early 1930s. This area includes on the right some half-height, dangerous "Lip curbs" which were only used for a short time. Modern Interstate 40 runs to the right and the southern frontage road is visible to the left. If you zoom in all the way at the top, you may be able to see where this segment ends. Interstate 40 crosses to the left. Then another original segment is behind it, acting as the modern northern frontage road.
Route 66 near Foss, OK Here is an original and drivable 90 year old stretch of Route 66 which passes barely south of Foss, OK in Washita County. This segment includes the notorious Lip Curbs on the early 1930s. The half-height curbs were an experimental design to channel rainwater. However, the proved to be unsafe as cars could hit them and were more likely to flip over than with full height curbs or no curbs. This design was discontinued for future road construction.
End of Highway U.S. 1 - Key West The southern Terminus of U.S. Highway 1 is along Whitehead St. @ Fleming St. in Key West. Along with the sign is Milepost 0. (Oops, I cut that off) The other side has a notation this is part of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway, a notation that this is a Florida Scenic Highway, and another designation of an American Byway. Most of US1 between here and the Florida main land is the Overseas Highway and is concurrent with A1A. The other end of Route 1 is 2446 Miles away in Fort Kent, Maine. That end has a marker and is next to a bridge which crosses into Canada.
Begin of Highway U.S. 1, Mile 0 - Key West, FL The southern Terminus of U.S. Highway 1 is along Whitehead St. @ Fleming St. in Key West. Along with the sign is Milepost 0, a notation this is part of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway, a notation that this is a Florida Scenic Highway, and another designation of an American Byway. Most of US1 between here and the Florida main land is the Overseas Highway and is concurrent with A1A. The other end of Route 1 is 2446 Miles away in Fort Kent, Maine. That end has a marker and is next to a bridge which crosses into Canada.
Bahia Honda Bridge Showing Gap From Wikipedia: The Bahia Honda Rail Bridge is a derelict railroad bridge in the lower Florida Keys connecting Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor Key. It was originally part of the Overseas Railway, but the state of Florida purchased it from the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) after the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and converted it for automobile use as part of the Overseas Highway in 1938. After a replacement Bahia Honda Bridge was opened in 1972, two spans of the old bridge were removed for the safety of boat traffic and to prevent pedestrian access to unsafe parts of the bridge. Read more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahia_Honda_Rail_Bridge Other notes: Originally constructed: 1912 Railroad tracks were on the bottom level. This area was too narrow for two lanes of cars, so the upper level was built for cars. Photo taken from the newer 1972 Bridge Visitors to Bahia Honda State Park can walk along a short segment of the upper auto part which is maintained. Most of the Overseas bridges are arches, but the Bahia Honda channel is deeper, so it is a Parker or Pratt Through Truss bridge. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of "Overseas Highway and Railway Bridges"
Bahia Honda Bridge Showing Disrepair From Wikipedia: The Bahia Honda Rail Bridge is a derelict railroad bridge in the lower Florida Keys connecting Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor Key. It was originally part of the Overseas Railway, but the state of Florida purchased it from the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) after the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and converted it for automobile use as part of the Overseas Highway in 1938. After a replacement Bahia Honda Bridge was opened in 1972, two spans of the old bridge were removed for the safety of boat traffic and to prevent pedestrian access to unsafe parts of the bridge. Read more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahia_Honda_Rail_Bridge Other notes: Originally constructed: 1912 Railroad tracks were on the bottom level. This area was too narrow for two lanes of cars, so the upper level was built for cars. Photo taken from the newer 1972 Bridge Visitors to Bahia Honda State Park can walk along a short segment of the upper auto part which is maintained. Most of the Overseas bridges are arches, but the Bahia Honda channel is deeper, so it is a Parker or Pratt Through Truss bridge. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of "Overseas Highway and Railway Bridges"
Bahia Honda Bridge - Florida Keys From Wikipedia: The Bahia Honda Rail Bridge is a derelict railroad bridge in the lower Florida Keys connecting Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor Key. It was originally part of the Overseas Railway, but the state of Florida purchased it from the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) after the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and converted it for automobile use as part of the Overseas Highway in 1938. After a replacement Bahia Honda Bridge was opened in 1972, two spans of the old bridge were removed for the safety of boat traffic and to prevent pedestrian access to unsafe parts of the bridge. Read more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahia_Honda_Rail_Bridge Other notes: Originally constructed: 1912 Railroad tracks were on the bottom level. This area was too narrow for two lanes of cars, so the upper level was built for cars. Photo taken from the newer 1972 Bridge Visitors to Bahia Honda State Park can walk along a short segment of the upper auto part which is maintained. Most of the Overseas bridges are arches, but the Bahia Honda channel is deeper, so it is a Parker or Pratt Through Truss bridge. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of "Overseas Highway and Railway Bridges"
Union Station and 2023 Broadway Viaduct Replacement In the Summer of 2023, the downtown Nashville Broadway Bridge which crossed the gulch train tracks was completely rebuilt by TDOT. From my office, I had a great view and followed their progress. I don't think they ever replaced the piers of the tiny strip which remained, but only replaced the entire deck. Of all the days I watched, This was the day with the largest amount of the bridge removed, which lets us see more of Union Station. The entire time, the tracks remained live. Here's the same view from a year prior. flic.kr/p/2nzRrEd I suppose I need a completed bridge view next summer.
Old Channel Five Bridge This was one of the many segmented arch bridges which connected Key West to the Mainland of Florida as part of the Overseas Highway. This specific segment crossed Channel Five between Long Key and Craig Key. The bridge was originally built ca. 1908-12 as part of Henry Flagler's Florida Overseas Railroad. When the railroad failed, many segments of the railroad bridges (including this one) were converted to the Overseas Highway which opened in 1938. The old bridge was made obsolete by the newer bridge in the background in 1982. Today, there is a small parking lot at the end of the bridge and the old bridge is for pedestrian use as part of the Florida Keys Overland Heritage Trail.
1800's Highway Marker - Woodbury, TN TO MUR 13 (13 miles to Murfreesboro) This marker has been preserved on the grounds of the Cannon County Courthouse in Woodbury, TN. Text of the marker: This stone was erected and used as a mile marker during the 1800's for what is now U. S. Highway 70S. Before the settlement of Europeans to this area, the route was known as the Black Fox Trail by Native Americans. During the 1800's the road was known as the Broadway of America and later became known as the Woodbury-Murfreesboro Turnpike. The stone mile marker was originally located about 5½ miles west of Woodbury and ½ mile north of the present day Highway 70S. During construction of the present courthouse in 1935-1936, the mile marker was located and moved to the courthouse grounds by historian Sterling Brown. The stone was placed at it's present location of prominence in 2011 as part of the courthouse square revitalization project by county executive, Mike Gannon. The stretch of highway where this belonged is one of my favorite in the state. You can see a video at this link. (Start around the 21 minute mark to see the area where this marker used to be.) youtu.be/8UvYMrkzvhQ
Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge in Autumn From Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natchez_Trace_Parkway_Bridge The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge is a concrete double arch bridge located in Williamson County, TN, 8.7 mi from the northern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway. It is 1,572 ft long and carries the two-lane Natchez Trace Parkway 145 ft. over State Route 96 and a heavily wooded valley. The bridge, also known as the Natchez Trace Parkway Arches, is the first segmentally constructed concrete arch bridge in the United States. The arches comprise 122 hollow box segments precast in nearby Franklin, each of which was about 9.8 ft. long and weighed between 29 and 45 short tons. The deck consists of 196 precast post-tensioned trapezoidal box girder segments, each typically 8.5 ft. long. The sections atop the crown of the arch are 13 ft. deep. The foundations and piers of the bridge were cast in place. The 582 ft. long main span is symmetrical, while the 462 ft. long second arch is not, due to the slope of the valley at the southern end of the bridge. The bridge is rare in that it does not use spandrel columns to support the deck from the arch. Rather than being evenly distributed along the arch's length, the weight of the bridge is concentrated at the crown of the arch. The lack of spandrel columns results in a clean, unencumbered appearance: it is termed a cathedral arch bridge. The bridge was designed by Figg Engineering Group and built by PCL Civil Constructors Inc. The arches and deck were constructed using a balanced cantilever method. Each arch was supported by temporary cable stays anchored from the top of the piers and the valley sides until it was fully built. This procedure was chosen in place of conventional shoring towers so that environmental damage to the valley would be minimized. The bridge cost US$11.3 million to build, and was completed in October 1993. It was officially opened on March 22, 1994. The bridge has won many awards for its design, including a Presidential Award for Design Excellence in 1995, and an Award of Merit from the Federal Highway Administration in 1996. The Eleventh International Bridge Conference named it the single most outstanding achievement in the bridge industry for 1994. The bridge "impressed the... jury with its aesthetically striking double-arch design, which shows exceptional sensitivity to the historical context of the site." Between 2000 and 2022, 42 people died by suicide at the Natchez Trace Parkway and New Hwy 96 bridge. Suicide prevention signs were posted in 2011, but the deaths continued. The Natchez Trace Bridge Barrier Coalition was formed in September 2018 to work with federal congressional delegates and the National Park Service to install a suicide prevention barrier. On August 16, 2022 a barrier of chain link and barbed wire was installed along both sides of the bridge to raise the existing 32 inch railing and increase deterrence.
Bird Creek Bridge The 1936 Bird Creek Bridge, also known as The H. Tom Kight Jr. Bridge, was part of Route 66 in Rogers County, Oklahoma. According to the original bridge plaque, which has been preserved nearby: The Van Guard of Modern Highways The H. Tom Kight, Jr. Bridge Dedicated as an honor to a faithful public servant for his many achievements In the heart of Will Rogers Country. Oklahoma State Highway Commission. 1937 This is near the spot where the Bird Creek connected to the Verdigris River. Prior to 1936, Route 66 crosses the river over a tiny bridge by today's standards. That original bridge is gone, that segment of 66 now serves a residential area, but you can park at the end close to where the bridge used to be. When this bridge was built in 1936-37, there were a total of seven segments with one lane in each direction. When increasing traffic called for more lanes, a similar bridge opened with two eastbound lanes and this bridge became two westbound lanes. In 1967, with the creation of the Port of Catoosa, Bird Creek was rerouted. In 2010, the bridge was deemed structurally deficient and a new boring bridge was constructed to take its place. At least the old segments were preserved, and the newer eastbound truss is still drivable. The largest original segment is up the hill as part of the driveway to Molly's Landing Restaurant. Pictured here is the second largest segment, and I believe it is a Pennsylvania K through truss. A third slightly smaller segment is to the left of this picture. Both of these segments are located at Rogers Point Park (which is where Bird Creek historically met Verdigris River) on either side of the main entrance driveway. This Route 66 Landmark is located near the Catoosa Blue Whale.
Historic Route 66 Ribbon Road Sidewalk Highway monument This is located along an intersection where an original and newer alignment of Route 66 meets. It's at modern US59/69 at E. 140 Rd. on Ottawa County, OK, about 3 miles South of Miami
Route 66 Ribbon Road In Northeastern Oklahoma, this is the only remaining 9 foot wide section of the original Route 66. When this was completed in 1922 and there weren't as many cars driving long distances, cars in either direction would drive down the middle paved section. When they'd encounter an oncoming car, both would utilize the gravel area on the side to pass, then resume down the middle. This section was known as Federal Highway Project No. 8 and was over 15 miles from Miami to Aton. Soon obsolete, this stretch of road was taken out of service and bypassed in 1937. Today, this is on the National Register of Historic Places as the "Miami Original Nine-Foot Section of Route 66 Roadbed."
Greetings from Galena on Historic Route 66 I really like this mural with many nice touches. Most of the mural features the intersection and turn in front of Cars on the Route, a vintage Kan-O-Tex service station. In front of this is Tow Tater, the real tow truck inspiration for Tow Mater in Pixar's Cars. The Sheriff is on the other side. To the left is the Murder Bordello house. On the right is the faded wall ad for the Palace Drug Store. The tire tracks of the blue car make the name of famed Route 66 historian Michael Wallis. Of the two insets, the left is the town's MKT Train Depot. To the left of the mural is a Kansas state highway 66 sign. While the older Route 66 alignment goes by Cars on the Route, the later alignment of Route 66 is now signed as Kansas 66. The two alignments meet at the intersection where the mural is located. In the top left corner is a sign designating this as Kansas Bike Trail 66 as well. Photos of these highlighted spots will be placed in the comments.
High Five Interchange - Dallas, TX en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Five_Interchange The High Five Interchange is one of the first five-level stack interchanges built in Dallas, Texas. Located at the junction of the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway (Interstate 635, I-635) and the Central Expressway (US Highway 75, US 75), it replaces an antiquated combination interchange constructed in the 1960s. The $261 million project was started in 2002 and completed in December 2005. It was designed by the HNTB Corporation and built by Zachry Construction Corporation. The interchange is considered by Popular Mechanics to be one of "The World's 18 Strangest Roadways" because of its height (as high as a 12-story building), its 43 permanent bridges, and other unusual design and construction features. In 2006, the American Public Works Association named the High Five Interchange as "Public Works Projects of the Year".
Joe Wheeler Highway 1933 Marker - Decatur, AL Everything I know about this is from this paragraph on Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_State_Route_20 SR 20 was started when Alabama renumbered SR 41 with a statewide renumbering in 1929. The original route passed from US 72 at Muscle Shoals to US 31 at Decatur. This portion was named the Joe Wheeler Highway, and markers commemorating this are still located on East (Decatur at Railroad/Church Streets) and West (Tuscumbia-Old Lee Highway) ends.
Cumberland Gap Tunnel The Cumberland Gap Tunnel carries highway US25E under the mountain connecting Tennessee and Kentucky. Originally the Cumberland Gap was a spot of easy passage through the mountains by early pioneers. In the early days of automobile travel, the government built a road through this gap (completed in 1916). However, this road was dangerous and had a high rate of traffic accidents. In 1979, the government decided to replace the deadly drive with tunnels, a difficult project that didn't finish until 1996. Then, all the roads through the gap were removed to resemble the look it had back in pioneer days. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_Gap_Tunnel One thing rare about this tunnel is how they handle hazardous cargo. When an HC truck arrives, they pull over until the tubes can be cleared of all traffic and then the truck is escorted through. Since this doesn't happen at most tunnels, it's led to several fun conspiracy theories, like there's nuclear waste or the remains of a UFO buried in there.
My other end is in San Diego The Eastern end of highway US80 is on Tybee Island, GA. There's a small triangular park with a fountain there. I took this photo in the summer of 2020, but I'm not sure how old the sign is. Around 1991, all of US80 west of Dallas was decommissioned in favor of other highways. This summer, I visited Dallas and drove the old highway between there and Fort Worth, now signed as TX380. It's a great place to find old motels and neon signs. Later, I drove current US80 from Dallas east to Longview.
Old Walland Bridge Here is an unused bridge near the small Blount County town of Walland, The bridge is easily accessible and can be walked on. It is located next to a Marathon gas station along US321 (TN73). It was replaced by the bridge on Miller's Cove Rd and crosses the Little River. Here is the description from the National Register of historic Places nominating form: npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/89000915 The Walland Bridge is an abandoned concrete arch bridge which spans the Little River at Walland. Erected ca. 1918, this bridge contains three concrete filled arch spans 65', 69' and 64' in length. The curb to curb width is 15.4' and the out-to-out width is 18'. The parapet railing contains incised rectangular and star designs. Each pier has a nosing which terminates at the spring line above which is a pilaster. The bridge is presently abandoned and is located at the Little River at the small community of Walland. The Walland Bridge is significant under criterion C as a notable example of an early 20th century concrete vehicular span bridge built by the Luten Bridge Company. This bridge company was based in Indianapolis, Indiana and constructed bridges throughout East Tennessee. This bridge is regarded by the Tennessee Department of Transportation as one of their finest designs and has been determined eligible for the National Register. The bridge is presently abandoned and is no longer utilized for vehicular traffic. Daniel B. Luten was a civil engineer who taught engineering at Purdue in the late 19th century. In 1901, Luten moved to Indianapolis to specialize in the design and construction of concrete arch bridges and formed the National Bridge Company. The company was later known as the Luten Engineering Company and Luten Bridge Company and was in existence until 1941. During the early 20th century the company specialized in the construction of concrete arch bridges and pioneered new concrete arch designs. The company received a number of patents for their designs and by 1914 were building bridges throughout Tennessee. By 1920, the company had designed and erected over 4,000 concrete arch bridges across the country. By 1915, the company had an office in Knoxville and was listed in the city directories until 1946. Their work in East Tennessee included the construction of this concrete arch bridge at Walland which was built ca. 1918. The bridge was located on the Old Walland Highway and connected the communities of Walland, Townsend and Maryville. The bridge was used for over fifty years until the bridge was deemed too narrow for present use and abandoned. The bridge is the only concrete arch design which has been identified as eligible in Blount County by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and one of only ten concrete arch bridges surveyed in the East Tennessee Development District considered potentially eligible by TDOT and the Tennessee Historical Commission.
Gatlinburg Spur Road Tunnel This tunnel is along US441/321 which connects Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. As this road runs along different sides of the Pigeon river, only the northbound lanes need a tunnel. This area between the two cities is part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park so the tunnel is maintained by the National Park Service.
Cumberland Gap, TN I like this view of the town of Cumberland Gap as it reminds me of a similar view of a post card from the linen era. This view is taken from the pedestrian bridge which used to be train tracks which cross over Cumberland Dr. Before the Cumberland Gap tunnel was built, Highway US25W came into town on the street in the picture, then turned to the right. From there, this road made a dangerous descent halfway up the Virginia mountain in the background. In the area where you see the horizontal strip of open rock, the highway was located at the base of that and continued on to the left where it went through the actual Cumberland Gap. Once the tunnel was complete, the highway through the mountain was removed and it is now a hiking trail.
Tanksley Bridge (Old TN13) This bridge was built by Nashville Bridge Co. in 1904 for highway TN13 to cross the Duck River. The Bridge was bypassed in 1980 and the photo is taken from the new bridge. The right span was destroyed in the May 2010 flood. At some point, this road became Old highway 13 as a new TN13 was built from Interstate 40 to 5 miles south of Waverly. The new highway also carries tourism traffic to the Loretta Lynn sites at Hurricane Mills.
The National Road marker - Indianapolis The National Road Cumberland M.D. to Terre Haute Ind. 1806-1839 This marker is on the grounds of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis and faces Washington St. Originally, this road was part of the National Road system, then U.S. Highway 40, although US40 now bypasses downtown. The National Road was the first long distance road in America, built from 1811-1839 (with the idea in 1806). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Road www.asce.org/project/national-road/
End of U.S. 80 - Tybee Island - Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway This American Legion marker was dedicated on April 7, 2008 by the Republic of Korea and a Grateful Nation. Uploaded in honor of Veterans Day, 2020
The National Road - Engineering Landmark National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark American Society of Civil Engineers - Founded 1852 The National Road Cumberland, MD. - Vandalia, IL. Designated 1976 Accepted by Governor Otis R. Bowen, MD. October 12, 1976 This marker is on the grounds of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis and faces Washington St. Originally, this road was part of the National Road system, then U.S. Highway 40, although US40 now bypasses downtown. The National Road was the first long distance road in America, built from 1811-1839. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Road www.asce.org/project/national-road/
Clay Wade Bailey and C&O Railroad Bridges Both of these bridges connect Cincinnati, OH to Covington, KY while crossing the Ohio River. On the left, the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge carries Highways US25, US42 and US127. It is a cantilever bridge built in 1974 and named for a local political reporter. On the right, Chesapeake & Ohio built the bridge carrying two tracks in 1929. Today, it is still in use by CSX. The first train bridge in Cincinnati opened here on the left in 1889. 40 years later, it was obsolete and was replaced with the bridge on the right. The bridge on the left was then retrofitted into an automobile bridge. In 1970, that bridge was destroyed when two tug boats hit it. The broken pier was replaced and the others were reused for this newer bridge. For more info: www.cincinnati-transit.net/co-bridge.html
Boone Trail Highway marker - Cumberland Gap, TN This dates back to the days of Auto Trails where the highways had names and not the numbering system we have today. Unlike most other auto trails, the Boone Trail wasn't a creation of a new route, but these markers were placed along existing routes. The Boone Trail was the brainchild of J. Hampton Rich of North Carolina who was looking for a way to keep the memory of Boone alive. He contacted communities to raise funds to place an arrowhead shaped marker in their town. From 1913 to 1938 he was able to place 358 of these from coast to coast. He started a group called the Boone Trail Highway Association and for about a decade had a publication discussing the installation of new markers called the Boone Trail Herald. Today, most of the 358 are gone. As highways are decomissioned or widened, the marker is often removed, often without thought about what is being taken away. This marker is in Cumberland Gap, TN along the highway which used to be US25E before the tunnel rerouted highway traffic. This is found along Cumberland Dr. near Pennlyn Ave. To see it for yourself, park at the city hall and take the concrete stairs near the road.
Kyle's Ford Bridge This Warren through truss bridge with Polygonal top chords opened in 1930 but was partially demolished in the 2010's. It is also known as Edward R. Talley Bridge and used to carry highway TN70 (Trail of the Lonesome Pine) over the Clinch River in Hancock County, TN. When TDOT built the replacement bridge, they left the old approach so we could still walk up to it. It was also repainted and appears green in older photos. Another spot to get a good view is the back deck at the River Place.
Obsolete US Highway 25E sign - Cumberland Gap, TN Here is a vintage U.S. Highway sign which still stands in downtown Cumberland Gap, TN near the post office. Almost all of the paint is gone from the sign, but we can still read what is says. US25E traffic was no longer routed through the middle of town in 1996 once the Cumberland Gap Tunnel was built. Before then, this sign pointed people to turn right. Traffic then turns left over by the city hall and goes north into Vigirina. From there, the old route began its dangerous descent through the Gap. If you can see the rock bluff in the background, that is where this route would eventually take motorists. This sign is still much older than 1996. It's rare to see a remaining U.S. Highway Shield sign with the "TENN" at the top, and the E smaller than the 25. The city is proud of their old sign as they tied a fall corn display to the sign.
Cochran Hill Tunnel - Louisville, TN The Cochran Hill Tunnel a twin tube built in 1974 along Interstate 64 at Cherokee Park in Louisville. It is listed as a Nationally and Exceptionally Significant Feature of the Federal Interstate Highway System.
Westbound Bachman Tunnel - Chattanooga The Bachman tunnels (one for each direction) were built in 1929 in Chattanooga. They made a more convenient way for US41/76 to get past Missionary Ridge. Cars no longer had to drive over Missionary Ridge via Old Ringgold Rd. (which is still there).
The VegaCal Iron Man - Hartselle, AL VegaCal Gets the Bile (other side): VegaCal For the Liver It used to be that advertisements along the roadside used to be more imaginative. Vega-Cal was a liver tonic sold in the Birmingham area back in the 1930s. The company had a few of these iron man advertisements placed at important roads around the area. However, only the one near Hartselle survives. To find this, from Hartselle, take AL Highway 36 west from town. Since it is a local landmark, the cross street is Iron Man Rd. To walk up and see it, park in front of Iron Man Market. It is repainted every three years by the Hopewell Homemakers Club. For more info: www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/56363 www.birminghamrewound.com/features/vegecal.htm
Wattendorf Memorial Highway Monument The access highway to AEDC is renamed Wattendorf Memorial Highway 19 June 1987 In honor of Dr. Frank L. Wattendorf This marker is located just off the Wattendorf Memorial Highway at the west entrance of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex near Tullahoma, TN.
Memphis Zero Milestone "Distance from Memphis measured from this point" "Erected by the Engineers Club if Memphis - 1923" If you are driving along a highway and see a sign that Memphis is 100 miles away, you are 100 miles from this spot. It is located along Front St. in front of the former US Custom house, courthouse and post office building which is now the University of Memphis School of Law.
US11 bridge over the Potomac River The Potomac River serves as the border between Maryland and West Virginia. This Stringer bridge with a total length of 1701 ft. was built in 1909 and rehabbed in 1980. The view is from C&O Canal Park in Williamsport.
Welcome to the Turkey Capital Rockingham County has a deep agricultural heritage and leads Virginia in poultry production with 170 turkey farms. This is celebrated with two of these 1950s Turkey statues, one at each end of the county on highway US11
Tennessee Zero Milestone When you're on the highway and it says that Nashville is 37 miles away, it means you are 37 miles from this marker, which notes, "Distances on state highways measured from this point." TDOT placed this marker at Bicentennial Mall State Park when it opened in 1996. The original Zero Milestone was placed om May 12, 1924 at the corner of Union Street and Sixth Ave. in Downtown. Later it was relocated in front of the highway department's new building on Charlotte Ave. Later, a new TDOT building was built and this multi-ton stone was misplaced. The new zero milestone seen here was added to the park after an extensive search for the original yielded no results.
Singing Granitoid Pavement There is a street in Knoxville that still retains its old fashioned pavement style. This road was paved about 110 years ago, and has been patched, but the legacy street is still there. Roads are not made out of Granitoid rock anymore. Plus, the grated grooves in it make a singing sound when you drive over it. This is Kenyon St. in the Old North Knoxville Historic District.
Bob Sheehan Memorial Bridge - Nashville, TN Over the years, I have had several opportunities to photograph old truss bridges that have been converted to pedestrian-only for preservation. This is one of the rare bridges that I have driven over when it was still open for cars in the Donelson neighborhood of Nashville. When this bridge was originally built in 1928, it carried both directions of traffic along Lebanon Pike (US70) in Nashville. It is a riveted 8-panel Parker through truss with K-Hybrid panels with a total length of 525 ft. to cross the Stones River. When Lebanon Pike needed to expand to two lanes in both directions, the Elmer Disspayne Sr Memorial Bridge was built parallel to this one to carry two eastbound lanes while the old bridge would carry two westbound lanes. Then when this bridge was structurally deficient in 2009 the Disspayne bridge was widened to carry all the lanes of traffic and this became part of the Stones River Greenway. Using the historical Google streetview feature, you can get some good before and after views here: www.google.com/maps/@36.1864483,-86.6330898,3a,75y,251.36...
Cumberland City Ferry As a kid, my mom once took me along on an errand run. Along the way, she took me way out of the way to get where we were going. She had us cross the Cumberland River at the Old Hickory Blvd. Ferry. After we had crossed, she told me, "We came this was so you could ride on the ferry. You may never ride on one again." I wish that I had been old enough to appreciate it. It's tough for a ferry to remain open these days. If the traffic slows down, the ferry goes out of business. If the traffic gets busier, the locals ask the state to build a bridge. I've been to many former ferry sites in Tennessee, but as of now, only two remain. (The other is the Danville Ferry, about 20 miles from here, which crosses the Tennessee River near Big Sandy.) This ferry is located at the town of Cumberland City in Stewart County. The ferry allows highways TN46 & TN233 to cross the Cumberland River seven days a week. A one way ride costs a dollar, but locals get a discount.. Even this ferry "Patience" replaced an older ferry: www.tn.gov/tdot/article/ferryservices-cumberlandcityferry Watch my video of the crossing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=88WjqYPDTGY
TDOT Centennial - First State Road sign 2015 marks 100 years since the formation of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. As they celebrate the Centennial, they have hosted several celebrations around the state. These included a travelling roadshow museum and placing some time capsules. On July 1st, they will unveil a new Zero Mile Marker at Bicentennial Mall. TDOT has also placed several signs commemorating the First State Road in Tennessee. With the goal to connect opposite corners of the state, the Memphis-to-Bristol Highway was born. Then, when highway numbering became common, the highway was known as State Route 1. These days, you generally haven't seen signs for SR1. Most segments of this important road became federal highways. For instance, in LaVergne, where this sign was placed in May 2015, SR1 is also US70S and US41. Until these signs were unveiled, most modern travelers wouldn't know it was SR1, unless their map or GPS labelled it that way. As a side note, these signs mark what is currently State Route 1. Vast segments of the original Memphis-to-Bristol Highway have been replaced by more modern highway segments that can carry more traffic at faster speeds. There is a part of me as a highway historian that wishes they would have notated all of the original two lane curvy segments, but if you tried to drive the whole thing, it might take a whole week. For example, here in LaVergne, Murfreesboro Road is the modern highway. The original segment is the Old Nashville Highway. Even still, I am thrilled that these signs are going up statewide.
The Johnny Cash Parkway sign A five mile stretch of Gallatin Road (Highway US31E) through Hendersonville, TN was dedicated as the Johnny Cash Parkway on Jan. 9, 1982. Cash lived in Hendersonville and his museum "House of Cash" was located on his Parkway. Now, Cash is buried at Hendersonville Memorial Gardens which is also along this Parkway
Crossville's Crossroads Marker The town of Crossville originally began as it was the intersection of two major stagecoach roads. It's where these two major roads crossed. Running east to west was the Great Stage Road, which connected the Knoxville area with the Nashville area. Running north to south was the Kentucky Stock Road, a cattle drovers' path connecting Middle Tennessee with Kentucky and later extending to Chattanooga. These two roads are roughly paralleled today by US70 and US127, respectively. This marker gives travelers the direction and distance of many nearby important cities. Today, the marker is on the grounds of the Cumberland County Courthouse. However, if you find an old black and white photo of Crossville, you'll likely see this marker in the middle of main street. Cities listed to the west are Sparta 29, Cookeville 40, McMinnville 57, Carthage 69, Lebanon 90, Murfreesboro 98, Nashville 120; to the east or south: Homestead 4, Rockwood 24, Kingston 37, Harriman 37, Dayton 50, Knoxville 76, Chattanooga 87; to the north: Jamestown 37, Byrdstown 63, Albany 64.
Hernando DeSoto Bridge at Dusk - Memphis This iconic bridge carries Interstate 40 over the Mississippi river near downtown Memphis, TN. Built in 1973, this two span steel through arch bridge has a total length of 1.8 miles. The length of the bridge covered by the arches is 1800 feet. This view is taken from Tom Lee Park.
Old Stonewall Bridge This is The abandoned Caney Fork River Bridge, also known as Old Stonewall Bridge in Smith County, TN. in 1901, the landowners on either side petitioned the county court to build a bridge here across the Caney Fork River near Trousdale's Ferry. The sold stock in the new Caney Fork Bridge Company to finance the bridge. The court gave them permission to build this bridge, to collect tolls equal to the ferry rate, and then give the county the right to purchase the bridge within 30 years at market price. At a cost of $12,000 the Chicago Bridge Company built the bridge in 1907-08. Then in 1927, it was sold to the county. It was in use along the Lebanon-Cookeville road until 1973 when the state built a new bridge for TN264 (From where this photo was taken). The side of the bridge on the right is upon a bluff and the left side gradually slopes down to ground level. The bridge is a total of 703 feet long with the main 200 foot Camelback through truss seen here. The rest of the bridge to the left is a collection of Pratt truss segments along with Steel I beams forming a 90 degree curve. Following that is another 200 foot segment masonry fill approach. Unfortunately, all of that is on private property and this is about the only view you can get. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-rivers/ There’s Something Incredible About These 12 Rivers In Tennessee
Cordell Hull Bridge (2014 reopened) South Street view - Carthage, TN Originally Built in 1936 and recently reopened, the Cordell Hull Bridge crosses the Cumberland River in Carthage, TN. (The Smith County Courthouse tower is visible on the left.) Work on the bridge began in 1934 and is named after the former US Secretary of State Cordell Hull who lived in the area. The bridge is a 3 span continuous truss at a length of 1412 ft. with the main span over the river at 316 ft. The southwest side of the bridge reaches highway US70N which runs along a bluff near the river. The northwest side intersects with Main St. near the city's central business district. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The bridge was closed in 2007 when a routine TDOT inspection found the superstructure was in critical condition. Repairs began in August 2011 and they replaced all of the concrete bridge deck and guard rails. The remaining truss, lattice work and rivets were preserved with blast cleaning and then painted white. (It had been green.) The bridge reopened on July 2, 2014.
Stay on --> TN58 and see Beautiful Rock City In Tennessee, State highway TN58 passes through Kingston and Decatur before reaching Chattanooga on the east side of the Tennessee River. Once in Chattanooga, TN58 snakes all around the city and is actually quite tough to stay on. Once you make it to St. Elmo, TN58 ascends Lookout Mountain via the Ochs highway and you're practically at Rock City. This barn is located just inside the Hamilton County line, just a few miles north of Harrison. This is now one of 84 different Rock City Barns I have photographed and uploaded to Flickr in my Rock City Barns set. People often ask me how I've found so many of them. I have drawn from many resources such as books and web sites and sometimes luck, but there's not really one "go to" place to find them all. Well, now on my website, I have tried to create a one stop source for the locations of all of the barns I've been to. On my Map of Rock City Barns page, I have plotted each barn on a Google Map.
Bachman Tunnels - Chattanooga, TN Built in 1929, the Bachman Tunnels (or Bachman Tubes) Connects Chattanooga on the west to East Ridge through Missionary Ridge. The tubes are 1,034 feet long, are the third oldest tunnels in town and carry highways US41 and US76. On the east side where this photo was taken, the city in 2001 added a roundabout in hopes of diverting Semi trucks (which easily get stuck) during times of high interstate congestion. For the full story, read here: www.chattanoogan.com/2003/8/17/39834/Remembering-The-Cons... Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/awesome-tunnels-tn/ 6 Awesome Tunnels In Tennessee You Need To Drive Through At Least Once
Highway TN62 in Morgan County Here, the highway crosses White's Creek. A couple of decades ago, the highway descended into the valley over to the left.
Faded Stop Sign
Tennessee Mountain Highway - Marion County This is along highway TN156 which connects Interstate 24 with Nickajack Dam, but to get from one side to the other, the highway has to wind its way up and down this hill. Anywhere there is a break in the trees provides a good view of the Nickajack Lake down below. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-towns/ 30 Tennessee Towns With Names That Are Too Bizarre For Words Or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/true-tennessean/ 12 Images People From Tennesee Will Immediately Recognize
Big Rock & Scenic Overlook - Sewanee, TN In the earliest days of cross country automobile travel, there weren't as many places to pull over and rest, so the early highway departments would add scenic stops with several parking spaces and concrete picnic tables. This would be even more important for the winding drive up a mountain, especially if it was a new or scary experience. One of the earliest routes to ascend the Cumberland Plateau in the Monteagle area connected Sewanee at the top to Cowan down below. As the members of the Dixie Highway Association were looking for the best route to cross the plateau, they decided to reuse this early road, making improvements along the incline. A more detailed description of this spot comes from the TDOT book Tennessee's Survey Report for Historic Highway Bridges on Page 125: During the 1920s and 1930s, there was a growing interest nationally in scenic beautification projects along highways. These often included turnouts, or pull-offs, sometimes with small parks or picnic areas. If an impressive view existed, the turnout was called a scenic overlook. During the 1930s, beginning in 1934 in Tennessee, federal relief programs funded “Roadside Development,” “Landscaping,” and “Beautification” projects resulting in landscaping projects and a variety of roadside parks, pull-offs or turnouts, and overlooks. An example is the scenic overlook on the steep western side of Monteagle Mountain. In 1918 Franklin County issued a $300,000 bond issue for road improvements which included a joint project with the state in 1919 to improve a ten mile stretch of the Dixie Highway through the county that contained this pull-off. It is unknown if the original pull-off, which contained a sweeping 400 foot stone wall flanking a massive boulder, pre-dates the 1919 project or if it was built (or enhanced) as part of the project. In 1936 the state spent $11,190 as a National Recovery Highway Project to landscape 5.4 miles of the Cowan to Sewanee section of State Route 15 (the Dixie Highway). The 1936 project, whose plans show the location of the original stone wall, removed the older wall and erected a new wall of rubble masonry 1400 feet long, cut steps into the boulder (7” rise, 12” tread, and 30” width), and paved the parking area with macadam stone. The state also built over 900 discontiguous feet of rubble masonry walls and planted over 2100 trees and shrubbery “grouped in as natural arrangements as possible” on the project. While the road was originally part of the Dixie Highway, and then state route TN15, eventually it became US41A/US64. (It is not US64 anymore as that route now meets I-24 and ascends Monteagle that way.) This area is right along the western edge of the Domain of the University of the South. The stone masonry that extends from the left of the boulder eventually meets up with the highway marking the western entrance of the University of the South. When you climb up the steps, you see the surface of the boulder is covered with graffiti covering graffiti. My personal favorite was "Don't fall of and die!!!" (Things dating back to the Thirties don't always have guardrails.) Even still, in the 10 minutes I was here, multiple carloads of young and old passengers stopped for family portraits.
Rockabilly Highway Mural - Selmer, TN This 20 foot tall by 120 foot wide painting on the side of a business in the middle of Selmer's central business district was the creation of artist Brian Tull in the first half of 2009. A stretch of Highway US45 running from Interstate 40 in Jackson down to the Mississippi state line was given the designation Rockabilly Highway in the summer of 2008. The painting depicts a couple of musicians (based on Phil Hummer & The White Falcons) performing at the WSM microphone at the Grand Ole Opry. In the Summer of 2012, a second Mural was added a few buildings down, but I haven't been back to town yet to see it.
nearly forgotten US60 Highway Sign I rarely see the shield-shaped US Highway signs anymore, it's almost surprising nobody has stolen this one yet. This sign is near the Singing Bridge in downtown Frankfort, KY. I'd appreciate anyone guess as to how old it is. When US60 was first routed through Frankfort, It came from the east along Main St., turned south on St. Clair where it passed this sign before crossing the bridge, and then continued west on Louisville Rd. Today, US60 crosses the Kentucky River along Capitol Ave and spends less time in the old, historic part of town. I'm not sure when the reroute happened, but instead of taking this sign down, they just added "TO" onto the sign.
Judge Allison / Dixie Highway Marker In the earliest days of American Highways, before there was the numbered route system of today, there were National Auto Trails. One of the most prominent of these trails was the Dixie Highway where the western branch connected Chicago and Miami. The first and only president of the Dixie Highway Association was judge M. M. Allison of Chattanooga. The original route through the area involved building a road up and down Walden's Ridge in the Suck Creek area, a project that lasted from about 1919-24. Since this area atop Walden's Ridge was the highest point along the Dixie Highway as well as vaguely the midpoint between Chicago and Miami, the Association decided to build a small roadside park here as well as this monument which was dedicated in 1924. An editorial discussing the event in the Atlanta Constitution by editor Clark Howell, one of Georgia’s two directors on the Dixie Highway Association, said, “No man in the south has contributed more to the development of the south--indeed the whole country for it is a national project-- than Judge Allison in his faithful and untiring work in this one outstanding interstate highway project” The text of the marker, which still stands, states: "This memorial is erected by the people of the United States to mark their appreciation of the great service rendered our country by Judge M. M.Allison, president of the Dixie Highway Association since its organization in 1915. The Dixie Highway was founded upon his faith, his hope and his far vision, his indefatigable labor throughout the states wherein it winds its useful way made possible its realization." With all of the hairpin turns and difficult terrain to navigate, an alternate and more popular route between Jasper and Chattanooga was soon developed, which today is highway US41. In other words, the original Dixie Highway marker was essentially bypassed for a more convenient route, however this small pullover and monument is still there today as the road is now state highway TN27.
Hawkins County Lee Highway Milestone Marker Back in the earliest days of highways before the routes had numbers, the most important auto trails had names and one of the most important cross country route was the Lee Highway which connected Washington DC to San Diego. In many places along the Lee Highway (and at five places in Tennessee), there were Zero Milestone markers such as the one here. With such a marker, brochures and other place of interest could say how far they were from the zero milestone to help motorists find them. Few of these markers 90 year old markers still exist as they are obsolete as there are newer ways to mark distance, roadway expansion and widening cause them to be removed, and sometimes they are stolen as people wish to have a piece of roadside history. Fortunately, the Hawkins County marker still exists as it is located on the east side of Rogersville at another obsolete highway feature, the Roadside Park. On the front of the marker is a plaque depicting an old stagecoach wagon. This marker had been stolen but was recently replaced. The small stone in front of it is a common USGS Benchmark from 1934. On the top of the marker is a copper compass. On the east side are the words: "To Commemorate John Carter, Sturdy pioneer, first merchant, after whom this valley is named." On the back, it says "This monument marks the route of the old East Tennessee Stagecoach line 1825-1855." On the west side, it says "To Commemorate Benjamin Hawkins of North Carolina, Senator of the United States, after whom this county is named."
Boone Trail Monument - Kingsport, TN This dates back to the days of Auto Trails where the highways had names and not the numbering system we have today. Unlike most other auto trails, the Boone Trail wasn't a creation of a new route, but these markers were placed along existing routes. 2013 marks the Centennial of this program. The Boone Trail was the brainchild of J. Hampton Rich of North Carolina who was looking for a way to keep the memory of Boone alive. He contacted communities to raise funds to place an arrowhead shaped marker in their town. From 1913 to 1938 he was able to place 358 of these from coast to coast. He started a group called the Boone Trail Highway Association and for about a decade had a publication discussing the installation of new markers called the Boone Trail Herald. Today, most of the 358 are gone. As highways are decommissioned or widened, the marker is often removed, often without thought about what is being taken away.How many of the markers are still out there? There is a group out there called the Boone Trail Highway & Memorial Re-Association dedicated to finding out, and they've located about 60. This marker is located in the middle of Church Circle in Kingsport. While it is missing the trademark arrowhead shaped marker of stones, if has the original metal plaque which has been placed on this concrete marker. What this one does have that I hadn't seen before is a second plaque outlining some of the routes, focusing heavily in North Carolina.
Old Kentucky Road D.A.R. Marker Immigrant Trail Through Middle Tennessee There are two of these markers (that I know of) about 15 miles apart in White County and Warren County, TN. In White County, TN136 follows this Old Kentucky Rd and the marker is where that highway intersects with US70. In Warren County, the marker is near Rock Island and the marker still on TN136 points to the right at a gravel road, which for all I know could be someone's driveway and it doesn't appear to really go anywhere. This page offers text from a book about these older roads: www.danielhaston.com/places/caney-fork/crouch/29-old-road...
TN Dept. of Highways Roadside Park In the earliest days of the highways, it was an era before fast food restaurants and service stations at every interstate exit. During that time, the state highway department would develop a roadside park and pull-offs for the convenience of the motorist as it was essential for there to be places to eat and take rest breaks. Most of the pull-offs in Tennessee would have a concrete picnic table, such as the two seen in this photo. Several of these parks can be found around the state, but only along the oldest routes. Most of these parks were linear, but the one seen here is triangular and located at a major intersection. This highway Park was built in 1928 and is located along Main St. on the east side of Rogersville along highway TN347. At the time it was built, it was along the important State Route 1 at the intersection of TN70. TN1 was the states most important highway back then as the Memphis to Bristol Highway, and eventually became part of the Lee Highway and US11W. Tennessee Department of Highways was renamed Tennessee Department of Transportation in 1972.
Boone Trail Highway Marker - Wytheville, VA This dates back to the days of Auto Trails where the highways had names and not the numbering system we have today. Unlike most other auto trails, the Boone Trail wasn't a creation of a new route, but these markers were placed along existing routes. The Boone Trail was the brainchild of J. Hampton Rich of North Carolina who was looking for a way to keep the memory of Boone alive. He contacted communities to raise funds to place an arrowhead shaped marker in their town. From 1913 to 1938 he was able to place 358 of these from coast to coast. He started a group called the Boone Trail Highway Association and for about a decade had a publication discussing the installation of new markers called the Boone Trail Herald. Today, most of the 358 are gone. As highways are decommissioned or widened, the marker is often removed, often without thought about what is being taken away.How many of the markers are still out there? There is a group out there called the Boone Trail Highway & Memorial Re-Association dedicated to finding out, and they've located about 60. The marker in Wytheville was originally placed in 1928 and rebuilt in 2005 according to the modern marker next to it. This marker was located along The Lee Highway, which became US11 in Wytheville.
Boone Trail Highway Marker's Marker - Wytheville, VA This dates back to the days of Auto Trails where the highways had names and not the numbering system we have today. Unlike most other auto trails, the Boone Trail wasn't a creation of a new route, but these markers were placed along existing routes. The Boone Trail was the brainchild of J. Hampton Rich of North Carolina who was looking for a way to keep the memory of Boone alive. He contacted communities to raise funds to place an arrowhead shaped marker in their town. From 1913 to 1938 he was able to place 358 of these from coast to coast. He started a group called the Boone Trail Highway Association and for about a decade had a publication discussing the installation of new markers called the Boone Trail Herald. Today, most of the 358 are gone. As highways are decomissioned or widened, the marker is often removed, often without thought about what is being taken away. This marker is in Jonesborough, TN on the lawn in front of the Washington County Courthouse. How many of the markers are still out there? There is a group out there called the Boone Trail Highway & Memorial Re-Association dedicated to finding out, and they've located about 60. The marker in Wytheville was originally placed in 1928 and rebuilt in 2005 according to the modern marker next to it. This marker was located along The Lee Highway, which became US11 in Wytheville.
Big Apple or Big Easy? This is a barn that you see when you leave the Sequoyah Caverns in Dekalb County, Alabama. This is at the junction of Highways U.S. 11 and County Rd 731. If you have trouble making out the paint, this is what you have: In the center on a pole is a faded sign for U.S. Highway 11. Since the paint is peeling, you can see that it used to be an ad for Phillips 66. If you go north, you are 877 from New York, NY (or about 40 to Chattanooga, TN). If you turn right and go south, you are 462 miles to New Orleans, LA.
Highway TN 6 sign In Tennessee, generally speaking the single digit highways are some of the most important routes across the state. The routes are so important that in many cases these important TN routes also are US Routes. If a state route is going to follow a US route for an extended distance, there's no point in putting up both signs ans the federal sign prevails. TN6 is this was, as it's entire course through the state is concurrent with a US Highway. I was under the impression that I'd never find a TN6 highway sign in the entire state. I happened to stumble across this one. I suspect at one time the TN6 designation made it all across the state, then later as a cost-cutting matter, all of the TN6 signs were taken down so that new numbers could be affixed to the sign and save the cost of making a brand new sign. I don't know how long ago that happened, but they missed one. The sign even looks like it's decades old with some of the black paint fading and the 6 is cracking. Finding this made me happier than it ought to have. When it begins on the south side of the state at the Alabama state line, TN6 is concurrent with US 43 until that route ends in Columbia. From Columbia, TN6 follows US 31 until it splits in Nashville. From Nashville, where it then follows US 31E to the Kentucky state line. On the north side of Nashville where US31E is the Ellington Parkway, there are mile marker signs that have a TN6 logo. This particular sign was spotted near an intersection with US 43 just north of Loretto along Busby Rd. If you're as much of a roadgeek as I am, I have a similar writeup on TN 1 and TN 2.
O'Neal Bridge - The Shoals, AL (Southern Bluff View) The O'Neal Bridge was built in 1939 to connect automobile traffic between Florence, Al on the north side to Sheffield and Muscle Shoals on the south side. The 2,071 ft. Cantilevered Warren through truss designed bridge crosses the Tennessee River. Highways US43 and US72 use the bridge that connects Lauderdale and Colbert Counties. The bridge was named in honor of Alabama's Father & Son governors Edward A. O'Neal and Emmett O'Neal. When originally designing the bridge, engineers knew the southern side is on a bluff, and the northern side would need to be raised for the deck to be level. Dirt was excavated from the area to the west of bridge site on the north shore to form a hill, and the resulting empty space became Florence Harbor. Also, when the bridge was originally completed, there was a pedestrian lane in the middle. The sidewalk leading to the bridge proceeded down a ramp under the bridge, which then ramped back up to an area between the lanes to the walkway. This walking lane was removed in the 80's during a lane widening project, but the access ramp is still there in the south end, although locked.
Meramec Caverns Barn in Tennessee This barn used to be seen by many mototists passing between Nashville and Chattanooga. If you were heading south, you would see this barn advertise first Rock City and now Ruby Falls. Travelling north, you see the sign say "See Jesse James Hideout MERAMEC CAVERNS U.S.66 STANTON, Mo." Meramec Caverns is indeed along the Mother Road, the Old Route 66, so now think how long ago this was probably painted. The newer barns for Meramec Cavers tell you it's located off I-44. These ads are plentiful in Missouri, but most of the remaining painted touristy barns in the south are for Rock City. I am not aware of any other painted barns for this attraction that are so far away. (For those of you not as familiar with Merames Caverns, while they are still somewhat known for their painted barns, they are better know for another automobile advertisement. The people at Meramec are credited with inventing the bumper sticker!) This is located on US Highway 41 in Coffee County. If you see Noah, TN on your map, that's where this barn is located. Make sure you see the Ruby Falls / Rock City ad on the other side: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/7374357458/in/photo...
An old stretch of the Cummings Highway at Jonas Bluff It used to be that if you lived west of Chattanooga, it was a challenge to get to the city. In the earliest days of automobile travel, local judge and advocate for improving the highways Will Cummings wanted to create a route for the people to get through the area. The base of Lookout Mountain extends all the way down to the Tennessee River, so making a road was a difficult task, but the railroads had already done it. By some point in the late 1910's or early 20's, the highway along the bluff was completed, and highways were ready to connect Chattanooga to Nashville, Memphis, Huntsville and Birmingham. This stretch of highway is still scenic to this day, although more people take the interstate through the area, the old road may be even more scenic as it is higher from the water. Also, if you look closely, there a copper-turned-green marker dedicated to Will Cummings embedded in the rock. I've driven right by this marker a dozen times and not noticed it - and if you've ever driven through here, I bet you did, too! This was quite an old highway by modern standards. At some point, the highway had to be widened to 2 lanes in either direction. Originally, the highway hugged the edge of bluff. At this spot, the mountain is a little bit concave and that made for three curves in a very short stretch. When the roadway was improved, this small little spot was bypassed altogether. For anyone out there who is a roadgeek like me, this small preservation gives us a glimpse to what the roads were like nine decades ago! The newer segment still dates to 1935 and is known as the Bridge at Cummings Highway Ravine. This is going to be a case of "do as I say and not as I do" because I would actually recommend you not stop here. I actually stopped here so I could get a photo of the standard historical marker over on the left off in the distance. There's a gate preventing people from driving here, but the highway dept. must have some utility purpose here as there's a little storage structure just off the edge of the photo to the right. Between the gate and rapidly moving traffic was barely enough space for my car, so there's a danger element to it. And backing out - you'd have to make sure nobody's coming for as far as you can see!
Will Cummings Highway Marker at Jonas Bluff Will Cummings Highway Federal Aid Project No.1 Will Cummings - County Judge - Pioneer Road Builder Will Cummings was a Chattanooga Judge who was also an early pioneer for improving the roads in and out of Chattanooga. A decade or so after he helped to secure funding for the road at the base of Lookout Mountain at the Tennessee River, The Tennessee Legislature named the highway in his honor. A few years after that, in 1937, this plaque was placed, embedded in the rock above the highway where I assume nobody could ever actually see it. In fact, I had driven through here perhaps a dozen times and never seen it when ine day I just lucked into it. (See the first photo linked below for more details on that!)
George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge The George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge is a four-lane cantilevered truss bridge carrying US31 over the Ohio River between Louisville, Kentucky and Jeffersonville, Indiana. It opened in 1929 and is today on the National Register of Historic Places. For full details: bridgehunter.com/ky/jefferson/clark/
Sterchi's Barn - Old US 31E, Sumner County "It costs less at STERCHI'S to furnish your home" Sterchi Barns are an elusive thing. As someone who looks far and wide for advertising barns, there aren't many of these to be found, but they're not really near each other. There's this one near blountville, this one between Pulaski and fayetteville, and my favorite one north of Fayetteville. The one here is painted similarly to the previous two. During their heyday, the were the largest furniture store in America. Long out of business, their old warehouse in Knoxville has been turned into loft apartments. The road to find this barn is a bit of an elusive thing, too. There are two old routes between Nashville and Louisville, which have been signed US31E and US31W. From there, almost all of US31E between Gallatin, TN and Scottsville, KY has been replaced by a modern smoother and straighter highway. If you'd like a slow leisurely drive that doesn't take you anywhere fast, I'd suggest you get your GPS and drive the old winding road between the two cities. This barn is a couple of miles north of Westmoreland. Before the days of US highways having numbers, back when they were called Auto Trails, this was known as the Andrew Jackson Highway, which follows a small stream through the area. This route dates back to 1911 and connected Chicago and New Orleans via Nashville. There's one more thing that's been elusive. Sadly, that's been me taking a photo of the barn I could be happy with. The day I stumbled across this place, I noticed there was nowhere to pull over and there was just enough traffic that I couldn't just stop in the street. The same ad is painted on both sides, and I drove back and forth past it a couple of times. Then, I found on what otherwise would have been my best shot, the sun was hitting the roof is such a way to wash out any evidence of writing. I made a return visit a few months later and again I didn't get a good shot, plus the barn's owner didn't take too kindly to me taking a picture of his barn. (at least that was my impression, I didn't stay any longer to find out.) It pains me that I'll settle with the photos uploaded today, where I've picked one from each side, one from each visit. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.flickr.com/photos/32175940@N06/7343577712/in/set-7215...
Trenton TN's 31 MPH Speed Limit In the early 1960s, Mayor Lawler and the aldermen in town couldn't agree on whether the town speed limit should be 30 or 35. 31 was proposed as a tounge-in-cheek compromise and it was adopted by everyone involved. About 15 years later when the first round of signs were getting rusty, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, who didn't like the non-uniform speed limit, offered to pay for all of the replacement signs if they'd change it to 30 or 35. When asked about it, then mayor Glen Hurt said, "Of the people that have talked to me, a big majority of old people and young people think it's unique and want it to stay as it is." It has now stayed that way for half a century. Thus, if porcelain veilleuses (teapots) aren't you're thing, you still have a reason to visit Trenton.
Stringers Ridge Tunnel - Chattanooga This tunnel north of downtown Chattanooga carries TN 8 through the ridge, but used to carry US27. Captain William Stringer owned the land here and built his cabin at the top of the ridge. A steep paved wagon road crossed the road, most of the road is still around but not drive-able. in the early 20th century, the city stopped at this point and the other side was wilderness. In 1908, Judge Wilder designated the tunnel should be built here, which was finished in 1911. The property on the other side became more valuable, causing more property tax revenue to be brought it to pay for the building of the tunnel. This view has changed a little around 2008. The ridge above the entrance went much higher than it does now, as recent plans flattened this area for future development.
The old road and the new road. Driving north out of South Pittsburg, TN is the Old Jasper Rd. At some point, people realized traffic from the South, including Alabama, would be too great for this tiny winding road. A newer, straighter, flatter US72 was built to accomodate busier traffic.
Boone Trail Marker - Sparta, NC This dates back to the days of Auto Trails where the highways had names and not the numbering system we have today. Unlike most other auto trails, the Boone Trail wasn't a creation of a new route, but these markers were placed along existing routes. The Boone Trail was the brainchild of J. Hampton Rich of North Carolina who was looking for a way to keep the memory of Boone alive. He contacted communities to raise funds to place an arrowhead shaped marker in their town. From 1913 to 1938 he was able to place 358 of these from coast to coast. He started a group called the Boone Trail Highway Association and for about a decade had a publication discussing the installation of new markers called the Boone Trail Herald. Today, most of the 358 are gone. As highways are decomissioned or widened, the marker is often removed, often without thought about what is being taken away. This marker has been embedded into the base of the third column at the Alleghany County Courthouse in the middle of the town of Sparta, NC. The original arrowhead marker is almost certainly gone, but fortunately the plaque has been preserved in a highly visible location seen along US Highway 21.
Old Fashioned Fire Signal - Roanoke, VA I suppose it still works to stop traffic if the downtown Roanoke firehall has to respond to a fire. This is suspended above the street like any other traffic signal.
Glasgow, KY Tunnel This tunnel / bridge is Race St. (US 31E) over Water St. One of the things I found interesting about this bridge and tunnel is that it is wide enough for a retail business to be part of the bridge (you can see the back of the two small retail stores here.) I am curious how this came about.
Quiet Sickness Now there's a road sign you don't see every day. The common sense explaination is there is someone who lives in the nearby house who becomes ill at loud noises. I suppose you could potentially interperet this as being sick of the quiet. This has the look of an official government road sign, from the standpoint that some cities and counties make signs as inexpensively as they can and they're always green with white letters. If you look closely, the sign used to say No Trucks.
Lee Highway Hardsurfacing Marker COMMEMORATING THE HARDSURFACING OF THE LAST UNFINISHED GAP OF THE LEE HIGHWAY AT CHRISTIANSBURG, VA. NOV. 17, 1926 Dating back to the days before all of the highways were numbered, we had U.S. Auto Trails. One of the most prominent Auto Trails was the Lee Highway, which connected New York City to San Diego through the south. I suppose a completely paved East to West cross country highway was an accomplishment in 1926, and the Lee Highway Association was proud of their accomplishment by placing this marker in the nearest town square. I wonder what made this area the last spot along the route to be paved. I would have thought that the last spot to have been paved would have been the most treacherous area. While there is a little bit of that in and around Montgomery County, the Highway had to wind up and over a mountain on the other side of the next county, south of Pulaski. Perhaps, the roughest terrain needed to be paved first and safer areas could remain gravelly.
Modern Dixie Highway road sign In northern Georgia, from Marietta to Ringgold, the old Dixie Highway is remembered. They have a website here: dixiehighway.org/ Although they don't look like the vintage signs, they do place these along the route. (This one is seen in Bartow County.)
Knoxville Founded 1791 This is the sign that greets motorists travelling I-40 when they take the downtown exit. This is what you see right before taking the tunnel underneath Western / Summit Hill.
May 2010 flood damage: Centerville Bridge This Bridge was built in 1913 to carry traffic over the Duck River on the west side of Centerville. I think I heard that Minnie Pearl would talk about walking across this bridge as a child. In 1970, a new bridge was built and Tennessee highway 50 was rerouted across the river causing this one to be closed. When the huge storms brought over a foot of rainfall in the first weekend of May 2010, floods destroyed this and to my knowledge two other bridges in Middle Tennessee. (the other two are the old bridge at Hurricane Mills and an old Harpeth River bridge on Old Harding Rd in SW Davidson Co.
Old US 41 - Dixie Highway Other than here, I don't think I've ever seen a highway sheild sign for a decomissioned highway designated "Old" I'm guessing at some point after the new 41 was built, the businesses of Adairsville were sad that fewer people came by. Plus all of the route of the Dixie Highway through North Georgia has been better remembered, in part for its 90-mile yard sale dixiehighway.org/
Sulfur Fork Bridge - Port Royal, TN Port Royal State Historic Park is important as a stop for the early days of travel in Tennessee. This bridge in the park was built in 1887 to accommodate an old route of the Clarksville-Springfield Highway across Sulfur Fork Creek. Today, the bridge is only available to pedestrian traffic. The bridge is a Pratt through truss design and made by the Converse Bridge Co. The main span is 114 ft. long and 14.5 ft. wide. The entire bridge is 231 ft. long. This creek is also a border between counties, so I am standing in Montgomery County and the other side is in Robertson County. 2020 Update: This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places. See article: www.mainstreetclarksville.com/news/sulphur-fork-bridge-ea... Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/port-royal-state-histor... This Entire Town In Tennessee Was Turned Into A State Park You Can’t Pass Up
Old Street Sign - Sweetwater, TN The way street signs used to be! A few of these old markers, such as Main St. at Walnut St., are preserved in downtown Sweetwater, where Main St. is also the Lee Highway and US11.
A drive through the Appalachians The interstate doesn't always make for picturesque views. However, when I-40 is about to go through the mountains around Tennessee and North Carolina, I believe the view is breathtaking. And then we drive the interstate up there and it gets even better. This is somewhere around mile marker 442 in Cocke County
Old Police Car at the same storage facility that had the refurbished Robert E Lee Motel Sign was this vintage Police Car. I know very little about old cars, but my father-in-law does. He guessed this is a 41 DeSoto.
Boone Trail Highway marker - Jonesborough, TN This dates back to the days of Auto Trails where the highways had names and not the numbering system we have today. Unlike most other auto trails, the Boone Trail wasn't a creation of a new route, but these markers were placed along existing routes. The Boone Trail was the brainchild of J. Hampton Rich of North Carolina who was looking for a way to keep the memory of Boone alive. He contacted communities to raise funds to place an arrowhead shaped marker in their town. From 1913 to 1938 he was able to place 358 of these from coast to coast. He started a group called the Boone Trail Highway Association and for about a decade had a publication discussing the installation of new markers called the Boone Trail Herald. Today, most of the 358 are gone. As highways are decomissioned or widened, the marker is often removed, often without thought about what is being taken away. This marker is in Jonesborough, TN on the lawn in front of the Washington County Courthouse. How many of the markers are still out there? There is a group out there called the Boone Trail Highway & Memorial Re-Association dedicated to finding out, and they've located about 60.
Tennessee Highway 2 Single digit state highway signs are some of the toughest to find. They tend to mark what the state originally considered the most important routes across the state, but usually become bundled with U.S. routes, and the state markers were systematically removed so to not confuse motorists. As of today, I have found signs of 1, 2, 7 & 8. The best that I can tell, TN2 was the route from Nashville to Chattanooga. This route was originally the Dixie Highway but eventually became the important US41. When Interstate 24 was constructed, that alleviated traffic off of US41/TN2. There are only so many ways you can get down off of Monteagle. Interstate 24 on the east side of Monteagle became where US41 had been, and US41 between Monteagle and Jasper were reroute through Tracy City over what used to by TN150. In the 80's, road officials felt both directions of I-24 going through that area wasn't getting the job done and a massive construction project was done for new eastbound lanes coming down the mountain. Now the westbound lanes going up the hill is what the Dixie Highway / US41/US64/TN2 Used to be. Once you're at the base of the incline, TN2 is still there, as it parallels I24 from exits 143 to 152. I would suspect this highway now gets very little traffic, from the locals and from roadgeeks like me.
The Old and Older Highway When I took this picture, I was riding the Newer US41 or Joe Frank Harris Pkwy. On the far left is a drivable portion of the original Dixie Highway which the Frank Harris Pkwy replaced. This is between Cartersville and Adairsville, GA. The Dixie Highway dates back to the 1920's and was the road from Chicago to Miami. When the US Numbered Highway system began, US41 became the way to get from Chicago to Miami. Today, most long distance drivers passing through the area would be on Interstate 75. The Dixie Highway has become better remembered in the northwestern corner of Georgia than in other places along the old route. www.dixiehighway.org/
Will Cummins Highway Marker The Will Cummins Highway is one of my favorite drives in the state. Before the days of the Interstate, most anyone coming from the west would drive this highway to get to Chattanooga. When you're in the Tiftonia area of Chattanooga, US11, 41, 64 and 72 goes past many bridges, tunnels, Rock City / Ruby Falls billboards, motels, train tracks and really old guardrails. For a good stretch along Jonas Bluff, train tracks and the slope up lookout mountain are up on your right and Interstate 24 and the Tennessee river are down on your right. Then, you're in St. Elmo. Many times I had driven past a marker like this in St. Elmo, but there's no was of stopping to get a picture of it, or even read it. What I didn't realize until later is this highway continues farther west past Tiftonia. It passes by Raccoon Mountain, and then parralells the Tennessee River for a while, until it takes the historic Haletown Bridge over Nickajack Lake. Then, you're in Jasper. Apparently, the Cummins Highway ends in Jasper, and this duplicate sign is on the town square in front of the Marion County Courthouse. The old Dixie Highway, now US41 turns, and goes up the mountain towards Tracy City, While 64 and 72 goes to South Pittsburgh
Great Stage Road This replica sign on the Washington county courthouse lawn remembers the Great Stage Road that came through Jonesborough and connected Washington DC and Nashville. "The heydey of stage coach travel was in the 1830's. Old Jonesorough (?) was a major center, the road running right down main street to all the great cities east & west."
Vintage Dixie Highway metal sign This sign is inside the old Roane County Courthouse of Kingston, TN, which is now a museum. If you are not familiar with the Dixie Highway, it was a National Auto Trail (which predated the US numbered highway system) and connected Miami with the north. A portion of the highway passed through Roane County. This sign is probably about 80 years old.
"Only Bridge" 3 This long unused derelict bridge used to carry highway TN50 across the Duck River near the town of Only, TN in Hickman county. The truss bridge was built by Nashville Bridge Company in 1907 and was rendered obsolete by another bridge in 1962. The largest span is 225' with a total length of 395'.
Tennessee Highway 1 Here's a road sign I didn't think I'd ever see. For the most part, highway 1 was swallowed up by US highways, and there was no need to display both signs. When highway US70S was rebuilt as a two-lane divided highway from McMinnville to Sparta, TN, they left about a 1 mile segment of the Old 70S in Sparta with the Tennessee 1 designation. Here's a basic description of highway 1: tennesseeencyclopedia.net/imagegallery.php?EntryID=H050 The five-hundred-mile-long Memphis-to-Bristol Highway, although not originally an interstate route, tied in with other highways and functioned in much the same way. Local businessmen formed the Memphis to Bristol Highway Association in 1911 to promote its development. Soon after its creation in 1915, the Tennessee State Highway Department designated this corridor as State Route 1 and made it the top road priority. In 1926 the state designated about two-thirds of it as U.S. 70, the major east-west corridor in the region. In the late 1920s the entire route became part of the Broadway of America Highway from California to New York. State Route 1 remained the main east-west route through the state until the completion of Interstate 40 in the late 1960s.
winding Tennessee backroads a stretch of highway 13 in Wayne County. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-lighthouse-roadtrip/ The Lighthouse Road Trip In Tennessee That’s Dreamily Beautiful
The ONLY Baptist Church I seem to recall seeing more than one. Actually, this sign is pointing to the Baptist Church in the town of Only, TN
Bucksnort exit One of the many reasons why northerners make fun of Tennessee. This photo was featured on the TruTV website in a gallery of the dumbest city names from each state. See my photo here: www.trutv.com/dumb_as_a_blog/gallery/50-dumbest-city-name...
Groovy 7-UP sign "82" Market is located on highway 82 just south of Shelbyville, TN
Old Natchez Trace marker Located at the corner of Old Natchez Trace and Old Hillsboro Rd. (TN46) in Northwest Williamson County. The marker signifies that about 1500 feet from here, the road follows the path of the historic Natchez Trace
Vintage Cowan, TN Texaco the local vinatge gas station has been preserved and now is used as a museum and tourist welcome center. This station is located near the important transportation intersection of highway US 41A (and formerly US54) before the ascent to Sewanee and the CSX train line before it begins its ascent to the Cumberland Mtn Tunnel. The station still has three gas pumps, one for sky cheif and 2 for fire chief. In the service station, the museum has a 1936 Ford and a 1950 Ford Cowan has also preserved one of it's old fire engines that still gets the job when the call comes in. This photo was used here: nicolsche.deviantart.com/art/Highway-Nymph-176740022?q=ga...
Faded U.S. 70 Mural While not as historically significant as the "National Road" (US 40) or "Lincoln Highway" (US 30), U.S. 70 was one of the prominent east-west highways across America, and was known as Broadway of America. In the heart of Dickson, TN, this is all that remains of a mural that depicts the route of Broadway of America through Tennessee, however with East and West switched. Towns identified along the mural are Bristol, Kingsport, Rogersville, Rutledge, Knoxville, Kingston, Rockwood, Crossville, Sparta, McMinnville, Woodbury, Murfreesboro, Nashville, White Bluff, Burns, Dickson, Tenn City, McEwen, Waverly, Camden, Bruceton, Huntington, Jackson, Brownsville and Memphis. For those of you that are interested in such things, the route shows here follows what is now US 70S instead of US70 from Nashville to Sparta, which is an older configuration. Before it was part of Broadway of America, this route was originally known as the Memphis-to-Bristol Highway or State Route 1. I'd love to find more information about this, or see an old picture of it in it's glory days.
Driving the Natchez Trace Parkway Some say it's a graceful blend of preserved Nature intertwined with history. Others say it's a pointless highway. I'm somewhere in the middle.
31W Liquors neon sign US31W (Dickerson rd.) north of Nashville. While I was taking a picture of this sign from another angle, a store customer yelled at me because she thought I was taking her picture.
Wartrace Walking Horse sign Wartrace, TN - The beginning of the Walking Horse Parkway. (A parkway I haven't seen referrenced anywhere other than this sign.)
Hi-Way 50 Drive in Alternate Traditional view - closeup of just the sign
Hi-Way 50 Drive-in - Lewisburg, TN What I suppose used to be TN Highway 50 south of Lewisburg is now US431 which goes to Fayetteville. Would the metal shield be there to keep the lights from the neon signs from interfering from the moviegoers? It's not long enough to block headlights from highway motorists.
See 7 States from Rock City SEE 7 STATES From ROCK CITY atop LOOKOUT MT. Below and to the left of lookout MT., it used to also say CHATTANOOGA, TENN. but that has been painted over. Along U.S. Highway 62 in Robertson Co., KY If Rock City barns interest you, check out my blog at see-rock-city.blogspot.com/
Cordell Hull Bridge - Carthage, TN It is the old bridge connecting Carthage to South Carthage. On the south side of the river, is just a bluff and an area wide enough for U.S. 70S to pass through. It was built in 1936 and was the second bridge to span the river at this spot. Hull was Secretary of State for FDR for 11 years. I would have driven over the bridge, like I did last September but the bridge was closed. Hopefully, it's just for repairs and is not permanent.
Benton McMillan Bridge U.S. 70N over the Caney Fork River in Smith County east of Carthage. It's a thin bridge, which means it's probably really old. Benton McMillan was a governor of Tennessee.
[Made] Right With God Kentuckyan Harrison Mayes survived a mining accident and spent much of the rest of his life making crosses like this one and placing them on major roads all throughout the country. This sign probably originally said "Get Right With God" but I have no idea why there's a change. This sign is in Smyrna, TN and located on the Old Nashville Highway, which is a 150+ year old road connecting Nashville to Murfreesboro and eventually became part of the Dixie Highway. The other side says Jesus is Coming Soon. These signs, made of concrete, usually weigh 1400 pounds. For more information, see Jacob Krejci's Set or This website. Hello to anyone who found the photo here: stepswithgod.com/understanding-mission-jesus/
No Trucks Beyond this point Eagleville, TN
The Cardboard Cop radars during Smyrna Depot Days ...when front street is closed to traffic. If I can get enough pictures of this thing, or get some photoshop skills, I can have "The Continuing Adventures of Cardboard Cop"
Police Department budget cutbacks? Along Front St. in Smyrna, TN The Smyrna Police Department has made cardboard cutouts of their police officers and will be moving them around town. I took this picture on a thursday, and by Friday it wasn't there. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.redbluenation.net/2007/10/problem-it-wasnt-nailed-dow... or here www.motorpasion.com/2008/03/25-campana-publicitaria-de-et... Or here: www.geeksaresexy.net/2009/06/10/wednesday-geeky-pics-card... Wednesday Geeky Pics: Cardboard Friends!
Stay on --> TENN58 and SEE Beautiful__ ROCK CITY This is a few miles north of Chattanooga on highway TN58 inside the Hamilton County line. not far from Georgetown, TN This once made explore, peaking at #485 **Update: It appears the part of the barn with the word ROCK has been replaced with new wood since this photo was taken.
Fancy Cincinnati bridge Driving into town southbound on I-75
Following the Cummings Highway Before the creation of the interstate system, half of all traffic that came into Chattanooga came through here, but tall trucks couldn't get past a low train bridge. US41 came from Nashville US64 came from Memphis US72 came from Huntsville US11 came from Birmingham
Sad Sam's and Nervous Charlie's No drive north of Nashville on I-65 would be complete without seeing the billboards for the two major fireworks stores in the area. I have more faith in fireworks from someone nervous than someone who was sad. Feel free to disagree. :)
How far from Crossville? At the cumberland county courthouse in Crossville, TN is this marker listing distances to several citied in TN. Apparently, Crossville does not have a high regard for any other city to the east. to the west: Sparta 29 Cookeville 40 McMinnville 57 Carthage 69 Lebanon 90 Murfreesboro 98 Nashville 120 to the south: Homestead 4 Rockwood 24 Kingston 37 Harriman 37 Dayton 50 Knoxville 76 Chattanooga 87 to the north Jamestown 37 Brydstown 63 Albany 64 The courthouse is along US 127 But US70 is three blocks from here and US70N merges with 70 in town
a rare 4 US highway multiplex US11 comes from birmingham, US41 from Nashville, US64 from Memphis and US72 from Huntsville. They all meet up to become Cummins Highway and this will eventually run along the base of Lookout Mtn near the Tennessee River going to Chattanooga
Time for a new sign 1st ave. under the train bridge in downtown Nashville.
1924 Jonas Bluff post card Dixie Sight-seeing Auto at Jonas Bluff Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Tenn. I have never heard of this area called Jonas Bluff anywhere but this post card. This is at the base of Lookout Mountain on the left and the Tennessee River on the right. Today, this road is still there and known as the Cummings Highway. (US11 / US41 / US64 / US72) These days, Interstate 24 also runs through where the lower trees are now. At the time this post card was made, before the days of US Highways, this was part of the Dixie Highway, which ran from Chicago to Miami. That's an interesting sight-seeing car in the foreground. Does anybody have any idea what it might be?
Be prepared to stop I think this sign is a lot more fun when viewed out of context. In reality, this sign is used at one of Nashville's Greenways. Almost all of the Greenway system is wheelchair accessible, but some of them have level places to rest spaced along any kind of incline. This is at Kelly's Point Battlefield. Hello to anyone who found this picture here: baccarati.livejournal.com/591845.html or here: flickrfanstan.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/flickrfan-be-prepa... or here: www.yamisfits.com/2013/02/writing-club-wednesday-writing....
Boring photograph: Old Highway US31E If this photograph interests you, that might make you and me and possibly nobody else. I drive my wife nuts by taking pictures like this one. This is a section of abandoned highway, old US 31E in either Hart or Barren Co. Ky. and it's no more than about 10 feet running parallel with the current highway. I put it online for use in my blog. see-rock-city.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-barn-changes-in-20...
Notice: Cleece's Ferry Closed For those of you using a 20 year old roadmap, be advised as to not drive strait into the Cumberland
There may be cars on this street This sign is now gone as the new Sounds baseball stadium is right here.
Be careful Guinea Hen Crossing
Burma Shave Signs Every Second without fail some store rings up another sale burma-shave Posted on flickr for use with my blog. If you're inclined, check it out here
Tennessee State Trooper VW Bug beep beep beep beep his horn wen't beep beep beep --The Playmates - 1958 (I know it's not a Nash Rambler) The next time you are pulled over for speeding, be thankful you weren't pulled over by this.
Driving the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, this is the I-695 crossing over the Baltimore Harbor. This pic was taken in the summer of 05 when there was costuction on the southern end and a portion of the bridge was covered making it dark on the inside.
New York or New Orleans? This is a barn that you see when you leave the Sequoyah Caverns in Dekalb County, Alabama. This is at the junction of Highways U.S. 11 and County Rd 731. The front of this barn marks the turn into Sequoyah Caverns. If you have trouble making out the paint, this is what you have: In the center on a pole is a faded sign for U.S. Highway 11. Since the paint is peeling, you can see that it used to be an ad for Phillips 66. If you go north, you are 877 from New York, NY (or about 40 to Chattanooga, TN). If you turn right and go south, you are 462 miles to New Orleans, LA. This barn also hasn't been used as a barn in a long time, as you can tell by the overgrowth around it. The front of the barn is a painted sign that marks the entrance to Sequoyah Caverns. You can see it here. I have a new potential title for this picture: Big Apple or Big Easy? If this barn interests you, check out my blog of Rock City and other advertising barns. Or if you want to read the specific post about this barn, See it HERE. Hello to anyone who found this on Rand McNally's Photo of the week: ontheroad.randmcnally.com/2009/10/19/photos-picture-of-th... or here: lizmcgowen.com/website-in-a-day/website-in-a-day/
Welcome to Sequoyah Country This barn marks the turn to get to Sequoyah Caverns (AL 731) in Dekalb County, Alabama. This is visible from Highway U.S. 11, whcih runs from Birmingham to Chattanooga. If you are a roadfan or a fan of peeling paint, check ou the other side. You can see it here. If this type of barn interests you, check out my blog of Rock City and other advertising barns. Or if you want to read the specific post about this barn, See it HERE.
Gatliff Bridge KY90 over the Cumberland River in Kentucky
Meramec Caverns Barn This barn, which is now in area of lush overgrowth, used to be seen by many mototists passing between Nashville and Chattanooga. If you were heading south, you would see this barn advertise first Rock City and now Ruby Falls. Travelling north, you see the sign say "See Jesse James Hideout MERAMEC CAVERNS U.S.66 STANTON, Mo." Meramec Caverns is indeed along the Mother Road, the Old Route 66, so now think how long ago this was probably painted. The newer barns for Meramec Cavers tell you it's located off I-44. These ads are plentiful in Missouri, but many of the remaining painted barns in the south are for Rock City. This is located on US Highway 41 in Coffee County. If you see Noah, TN on your map, that's where this barn is located. Click Here to see the other side for the Ruby Falls ad side. If this barn interests you, check out my blog of Rock City and other advertising barns. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: blog.ratestogo.com/key-landmarks-on-route-66-i/
under the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge is the nation's first segmentally constructed concrete arch bridge. It is in Williamson County, not far from Davidson County. it is 155 feet high above Highway TN 96 (which will go into Franklin) and is 1,648 feet long. Someone was nice enough to upload this picture to the related wikipedia article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natchez_Trace_Parkway_Bridge This photo also made its way onto: www.comevisitfranklintn.com/ Hello to anyone who found this photo here: tsarchitect.nsflanagan.net/?p=332 Why Design Matters for the Stimulus: Architects or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/stunning-places-tn/ Everyone Should Explore These 15 Stunning Places In Tennessee At Least Once
The Ned McWherter Bridge - Near Paris, TN This is on US Highway 79 crossing the Tennessee River / Kentucky Lake. Once you cross the river, I suppose you are then in the "Land Between the Lakes." This is seen from Paris Landing State Park, and it seems to be the most photographed thing at the park. Not too long ago, it replaced the Scott Fitzhugh Bridge. Hello to anyone who found this picture from the Egan Snow blog: egansnow.blogspot.com/2006/07/ned-mcwherter-bridge-near-p...
