Kansas Highways Routelog

Kansas Highway 16

A16
Established 1935
Length: 114.46 miles
West Endpoint:
Junction US 77 near Randolph

East Endpoint:
Junction US 24-40 in Tonganoxie

Counties Passed through: Riley, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth
Full Description

History

In 1935, US 24 was extended into Kansas, requiring a new designation for the existing highway 24. At the same time, US 59 and US 169 were extended into Kansas, replacing part of the original K-16. The Highway Commission decided to re-designate the remainder of K-16 as an extension of K-7, and reassign the number 16 to the former K-24.[1]

In 1936, K-16 was hard-surfaced from K-62 south of Soldier to US 75 at Holton, and from Valley Falls to Tonganoxie, and gravel from US 77 at Randolph to Fostoria, and from Wheaton to Onaga, and from Holton to Valley Falls[1]. By 1937, the segment from Holton to Valley Falls was hard-surfaced,[2] the highway on the east side of Holton was shifted onto a straighter route[3], and a derivative highway, K-116, was created[4]. By 1940, the segments between Fostoria and Wheaton and from Onaga to K-62 were graveled.[5]

In 1941, the Highway Commission adopted a resolution straitening K-16 east of Onaga.[6] Presumably due to World War II, this project did not get underway until 1950, when it was modified slightly at the Onaga end.[7] The relocation east of Onaga, and the paving of the road east to K-62, was complete by 1953.[8].

History Footnotes

1 Kansas State Highway Commission. Kansas Highway Map [map]. Topeka: Kansas State Printing Plant, Apr. 1936. Accessed 13 Sept. 2013

2 Kansas State Highway Commission. Kansas Highway Map [map]. Topeka: Kansas State Printing Plant, Feb. 1937. Accessed 13 Sept. 2013

3 Kansas State Highway Commission. Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Road in Jackson County. 7 Jan. 1937. Accessed 14 Sept. 2013

4 Kansas State Highway Commission. [Resolution for Addition of Road in Jackson and Atchison Counties to the State Highway System.] 7 Jan. 1937. Accessed 14 Sept. 2013

5 Kansas State Highway Commission. Kansas Highway Map [map]. Topeka: Kansas State Printing Plant, Feb. 1940. Accessed 6 Sept. 2013

6 Kansas State Highway Commission. Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Road in Pottawatomie County. 24 Oct. 1941. Accessed 14 Sept. 2013

7 Kansas State Highway Commission. [Resolution for] Elimination of Road in Pottawatomie County From the State Highway System. 20 Dec. 1950. Accessed 14 Sept. 2013

8 State Highway Commission of Kansas. Official 1956 Kansas Highway Map [map]. 1956. Accessed 6 Sept. 2013

Photos