Learn About this Historic
Highway
Early Trails Native Americans developed the most
direct routes between their main points of
interest for shelter and food gathering. The
routes were well-traveled by the time the early
pioneers came with their oxcarts and wagons.
The trails were hardened by
animal hoofs, wagon wheels and increased use.
However, all-weather roads were needed to market
farm produce, deliver mail and handle the
increase in traffic caused by the new invention,
the automobile. The old trails were paved and led to today's highway system.
"King of Trails"
In 1917, a North-South Trail
Association was formed as the forerunner of the
"King of Trails Highway Association."
After two years of debate, the "King of
Trails" (KT) route was established. By 1920,
the KT was marked and became one of the best
marked roads in America, with its easy to read
yellow sign and big black letters.
By 1925, the speed limit was
raised to 30 miles per hour. License plates from
all over America and Canada could be seen as
tourists began to explore in their cars. The
United States government renumbered the old state
number 6 to what is now "US Highway
75."
Since then some things have
changed: the speed limit and improved road system, but many things have stayed the same. There's
still the scenic beauty of the Northern tall grass prairie and farm land along the trail,
the
quaint towns, fun festivals, unique attractions
and friendly people along the way. Imagine
traveling one road through the center of America
going through six states and almost 70 miles into Canada.
An active group of Minnesota
partners of the KT have worked to have it designated by the
State of Minnesota as "The Historic King of Trails."
The official designation was granted by the Minnesota
Legislature in 2001. On October 5, 2002 all the communities
celebrated the installation of the signs with a yellow
balloon release. The coalition is cooperatively marketing the KT
as an attraction to be appreciated by
generations of travelers.
Get off the interstate and
travel the KT. Visit the communities along the
way to appreciate the history and natural beauty
of the prairie. A map of KT communities, annual
festivals and points of interest are included as
well as Travel Information Centers to guide you on
your way along the "Historic King of
Trails"
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PO Box 8 | Pipestone, MN 56164 | 507-825-3316
| www.highway75.com
International Historic Highway 75 "King of Trails" Coalition, Inc. ©
2005
Site supported by a grant from:
© 2005
International Historic Highway 75 "King of Trails"
Coalition, Inc.
PO Box 8 | Pipestone, MN 56164 |
507-825-3316 | www.highway75.com
|