Two Minutes Plus+ on 20: Lost and Abandoned, Ep. 3 - 100 Year Old Highway

[@joyceneville9214]

I grew up a mile from US 20 in Sheridan NY!

[@robertlittlefield1855]

I'm well familiar with Rt 9 and the abandoned section of road, although I didn't know it was originally Rt 20. I asked Mass. DOT if they'd put a marker up. After all, it's one of the few (only?) surviving sections of original highway from the 1920's highway building boom. Unfortunately, my request must have quickly found the circular file. Thank you for sharing this video and a peek into our highway past

[@HistoricUSRoute20]

A goal of our organization to get these sign a up or a marker

[@robertlittlefield1855]

@@HistoricUSRoute20 And maybe do something to make sure it lasts another 100 years? Even spraying for vegetation would help

[@robertlittlefield1855]

@@HistoricUSRoute20 And by the way, I know this is about US 20, but you should explore a nearby section of the Boston Post Road. Almost across the street from where you were standing is West Brookfield Rd, which quickly becomes Foster Hill Road. There are many historic markers in the fields up top of the hill. It's really fascinating. Jedediah Foster lived here and was one of the writers of the Mass. Constitution, a precursor and model for the US constitution.

[@buddy8225]

Nice. Another old highway to explore. 😀❤️

[@vk627]

You just don't see the cable guard rails even on the old roads. Great find!

[@MarksKicksOnRoute66]

@The World War II News and Old Time Radio Channel yes and in Missouri Route 66 also.

[@chickenscratch420ify]

I live on Historic Route 20 in Downtown Willoughby Ohio! You have to come check our little section. Lot's to see.

[@rjmcallister1888]

Since the Federal Highway system was not established until 1926, did it have a numerical designation before then? Some roads did only have a verbal name in those days. Eighteen feet would have been standard in those days for a two-laner, though some older ones would be 16', and one-lane 'slab roads' were 9.

[@robertlittlefield1855]

I don't know the answer to your specific question, but the NE states came up with a common route designation system in the early 20's, preceding the US Route designations starting in 1926. It was so effective New York joined. For example, NE 3 (east to west were odd numbered) then became US Route 6 (switched to even numbered). Way, way back, this particular stretch of road, from West Brookfield thru Worcester and into Northborough and then into Boston, was originally in the inland route for the Boston Post Road, which dates to colonial America. In fact, all along the road were the mile markers laid out by Postmaster General Ben Franklin. Most are gone now.

[@rjmcallister1888]

@@robertlittlefield1855 In Missouri, the Centennial Road Act of 1921 designated numbered routes for all of the state's roads. When the Federal system came in 1926, a number of those were incorporated into the system and given new numbers, most notably MO 2 (the Boonslick Trail) becoming US 40, MO 12 became US 50 and MO 14 begat US 66, which had been the Old Wire Road in the previous years. The original numbers were later assigned to other roads.

[@robertlittlefield1855]

@@rjmcallister1888 Thank you so much for the update!

[@caruth5963]

Wow Bryan...Great find and great history!!

[@rupe53]

Always interesting to see these old roads, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. What most people don't notice at first is the road that replaced it will generally be a straighter line and wider pavement. Early roads usually followed the lay of the land and needed little effort in construction. Of course 100+ years ago the heavy equipment wasn't very common either. Eventually they figured it was worth the extra effort to contour the land as needed to make the road straighter and raise the speed limits, instead of following old river trails. How many people realize the road width was derived from the width of wagon wheels... or roughly the same as the width of RR tracks? (about 4 ft 8 in) How many people realize that width was derived from the the width of two horses side by side in front of the wagon? The idea being the horses feet used the same worn spot as the wagon wheels. A road of 16 - 18 ft was plenty of space for two way traffic when a Model T was only 5 ft wide and driving 20 mph.

[@noncompliance1922]

Thank you, Bryan! Great little nuggets about Historic Highway 20!

[@realandrewcrowe]

Thanks for the video, Bryan! I love Route 20 and it’s very interesting learning about all of these Historical fun facts!

[@RobandMarvy]

Great story!!!!

[@surrealworld9850]

I would love to get in touch with you! I will be walking Route 20 from Newport to Boston, later this year.

[@robertlittlefield1855]

Are you going to try to do ORIGINAL Rt 20?? Many sections have been moved, even to Interstates.

[@terrymilligan974]

I'd like to go down Route 66 in California, the west is beautiful.