(July 1, 1920-February 4, 1929)
- In 1920, they knew it as: A road between Akron and Le Mars via Brunsville
- We know it as: IA 3 between Akron and Le Mars
- Let's get granular:
- Akron: Reed, 4th, and South streets
- Akron to Le Mars: Cedar Avenue, 170th Street, IA 3, 170th Street, Jet Road, IA 3
WEST End: Akron, Plymouth County
A 1934 construction document for IA 12 through Akron shows that its current route was built then and not 1920. However, it does not depict what had been the route. The road from the east came into Akron on the streets listed above, not the present IA 3 curve, which was built in 1940. That brought it into Akron's business district on Reed Street. Since IA 12 ended in Akron at the time, it's plausible that both would have been signed west along Reed to the railroad tracks, where there was a bridge across the Big Sioux River.
There was no reason at the time to extend either route across the bridge, which the Akron Register Tribune said went into "early retirement" in summer 1958. It was going to be torn down anyway in favor of the new bridge at what became IA 403 22 years later.
Facing west on 3 (9/30/15)
Here is the functional equivalent of 27's west end, but again, not its actual one. Its actual one would have been to the north, where there's still a nice little business district today.
EAST End (2): IA 5/22, now IA 3/Plymouth Street at US 75/5th Ave. W, Le Mars, Plymouth County
Facing north on 75 (6/15/04)
Wells Blue Bunny built custom buildings at a prime location...then abandoned them after less than a decade to move to the old Le Mars business district on Central Avenue. Go figure.
Le Mars renamed its entire street system in 1922, including making Plymouth Street a different street. In 1924, the primary roads south of IA 27 were moved to the west side of the railroad, creating a route to Merrill that would remain for decades, and in 1928, the road that by that time had become US 75 was extended north on 5th Avenue.
Facing west on 3 (7/21/12)
In 1924-28, IA 22/US 75 would have turned west-to-south (left) here, with IA 27 ahead.
EAST End (1): IA 5/22, now IA 3/Plymouth Street at Central Ave., Le Mars, Plymouth County
The turn of IA 5 toward Sioux City was because it had been designed to follow the Hawkeye Highway auto trail, which meant at the time there had to be a different route going west. This intersection is in the heart of downtown Le Mars, but interestingly, I have found no evidence that any highway touched the courthouse area to the southeast.
The memo with the IHC minutes for extending 5 along 27's route in early 1929 said: "You will recall that at the time the primary road numbers were adjusted we suggested continuing Number 5 to Akron but at that time it was thot [sic] advisable to stop it at Le Mars as we did not wish to stir up the old Hawkeye Highway controversy." Inertia and grudges are powerful things.
This is the closest photo I have for the intersection that served as 27's first end, a block and a half north, at the current visitors center/ice cream parlor for the Ice Cream Capital of the World on Central Avenue. I've had some fine birthday treats here a couple of times, although of course one does not need an excuse for ice cream. (7/21/12)
Page created 4/9/20