Background
![[Santa Ana Canyon]](../us_pix/us-91_c.jpg)
Background |
US 91 is one of the lesser known important historic highways. It followed the general route of the old Arrowhead and Mormon Trails and later Union Pacific's Salt Lake railroad which provided an important link between southern California and the rest of the United States. Today, its successor, I-15 is well known as the road to Las Vegas and the skiing sites in Utah and Colorado. |
US 91 at its greatest extent went from the Canadian Border at Sweetgrass, MT to the intersection of US 6/US 101A (SR-1) and SR-15 (Atlantic Ave, replaced by I-710). From 1947-1964 its southern terminus was at the interchange of SR-15 (I-710)and US 6 / US 101A. It followed US 6/US 101A (SR-1) to Lakewood Blvd. (SR-19), north on SR-19 to Lincoln Ave, east on Lincoln to Orange-Olive Ave., then right on Santa Ana Canyon Rd. to SR-91. From there, it followed SR 91 to 6th St. / Magnolia Ave. to La Cadena Dr., to Mt. Vernon Ave, then north on Cajon Blvd. North of the Cajon Pass, it followed the alignment of Route 66 to Barstow. Before 1947, the southern terminus of US 91 was at its intersection with Route 66. Between 1926 and 1938, the terminus was located east of Barstow in Dagget. From 1938-1947, the southern terminus was moved to the current intersection of Main St. and 1st St. in Barstow. It followed 1st St. over the rail yard to US 466 (SR-58), thence to I-15. From there to the Nevada border, US 91 followed the general alignment of current I-15.
Only a small portion of this highway remains signed as US 91. This remaining section starts at I-15 at Brigham City, UT and terminates at I-15 in Idaho Falls, ID. It is likely that in the near future, this vestige will be eliminated entirely.
US 91 ceased to exist entirely in CA on July 1, 1964. It has been replaced by several state and Interstate highways, however. Most notable is SR-91 which follows the path of old US 91 from its intersection with I-5 east to its terminus at the intersection of I-215/SR-60. Other highways that have replaced it include SR-1, SR-39, I-5, I-215, I-15. Much of the old route still exists and remains as a major thoroughfare.
Future
Long Beach and Orange County (Future).
Inland Empire and Cajon Pass (with US 395)
High Desert (Future)
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