South Dakota colored US highway shields

[route29]

Does anyone know the colors South Dakota used when they had colored US highway shields in the 50's-60's?  From what I've gathered from the AA Roads Shield Gallery:

• US 12 - yellow
• US 212 - blue
• US 18 - orange
• US 16 - red
• US 83 - yellow

Any others?

John

[M86]

I didn't see any colored US shields on AARoads for South Dakota... And I don't believe SD ever used them.  If you can provide some links and info, I'd be happy to see it!

[US71]

There was a US 16 shield last year on e-bay. The bottom part was green with yellow numbers.

I still have a copy of it (and my own mock-up) somewhere in my files.

[route29]

They're in the Shield Gallery.  www.aaroads.com/shields/thumbs.php?state=SD

US 12 & 212:  www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=SD19500121
US 18:  www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=SD19500181
US 83:  www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=SD19460831
US 16:  www.aaroads.com/shields/salespage.php?state=SD  (scroll down for this one)

[M86]

They're in the Shield Gallery.  www.aaroads.com/shields/thumbs.php?state=SD

US 12 & 212:  www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=SD19500121
US 18:  www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=SD19500181
US 83:  www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=SD19460831
US 16:  www.aaroads.com/shields/salespage.php?state=SD  (scroll down for this one)

Thank you for the links.  I have no idea how I overlooked that.   Very interesting.  I'll research some more.

[M86]

I contacted SDDOT about the colored shields, and received the following email:

I have contacted some of the older traffic engineers, who are in-turn contacting some of the retired engineers to see if they have any knowledge on this issue; and will let you know as soon as I find out anything.

L**** *****
Operations Traffic Engineer
South Dakota DOT
700 East Broadway
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-4759
fax (605) 773-2893

If it actually turns out to be anything, I'll let you know.  My guess is those at SDDOT currently have no idea.  But knowing my SDDOT, they won't fail me *crossing fingers*.

[US71]

I contacted SDDOT about the colored shields, and received the following email:

I have contacted some of the older traffic engineers, who are in-turn contacting some of the retired engineers to see if they have any knowledge on this issue; and will let you know as soon as I find out anything.

L**** *****
Operations Traffic Engineer
South Dakota DOT
700 East Broadway
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-4759
fax (605) 773-2893

If it actually turns out to be anything, I'll let you know.  My guess is those at SDDOT currently have no idea.  But knowing my SDDOT, they won't fail me *crossing fingers*.

I asked Arkansas once about colored shields and got an irrelevant answer.

[M86]

I have a reply from SDDOT:

"I had a chance to talk with George Xxxxxx, retired sign shop employee from way back when, 50, 60's

George said there never was any type of a program on the part of DOT to paint signs like shown in the photos.  George says it has to be an isolated incident of someone painting the signs for whatever reason.
 
Axxx Pxxxx"


Hmmm... I love the replies.  But, grrr.  Those shields have to be a state thing.  I tried!

[US71]

Hmmm... I love the replies.  But, grrr.  Those shields have to be a state thing.  I tried!

Probably have to personally go through Hwy Dept archives. I asked a similar question once of AHTD and got told "we quit using cut-out signs in 1971".

Gee, thanks, but not what I was asking 

[agentsteel53]

I've seen the colored shields in collections and in field photos ... from all over the state.  if this was just one renegade, he sure was thorough!

[agentsteel53]

I just picked up a completely flat aluminum cutout South Dakota US 18.  It has the orange background behind the US and 18 part of the shield.  So it looks like the colored shields persisted into the era of flat shields, with "US" added back on. 

A lot of states, around 1950 or so, decided to omit "US" to allow for larger numbers.  Illinois, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas immediately come to mind.  Ohio and DC also made similar modifications, moving "US" into the crown. 

some states, like South Dakota, returned the the full "state/US/number" style in 1956 when the federal government re-affirmed the standard.  This US-18 sign is, I believe, such a late example.

[US71]

I just picked up a completely flat aluminum cutout South Dakota US 18.  It has the orange background behind the US and 18 part of the shield.  So it looks like the colored shields persisted into the era of flat shields, with "US" added back on. 

I'd love to see that when you get a photo