U.S. Highway 91
The only remaining proof that U.S. 91 (and U.S. 466) ever existed along Las Vegas Boulevard is this sign. The route markers were scraped off, leaving shadows of the original shields. This late 1950s button-copy guide sign featured two outline shields for U.S. 91 and U.S. 466 -- and the corresponding arrows -- until they were scraped off. Photos taken by Jeff Royston (10/31/08).
History
U.S. 91 used to follow the Interstate 15 corridor from San Bernardino, California, all the way north to Sweetgrass, Montana. Today, U.S. 91 is all but gone -- there are still a few miles left near the Utah-Idaho border. U.S. 91 lasted from 1926 through 1974. In Nevada, U.S. 91 was replaced by I-15, but the historic route is available along:
- Former Nevada 604 and Nevada 604 from Jean to North Las Vegas via the Las Vegas Strip and downtown
- Nevada 170 through Bunkerville
- Former Nevada 144 through Mesquite (Business Loop 15)
After crossing into Arizona, a significant old alignment of U.S. 91 travels around the Virgin River Gorge and heads north and then east via Mohave County Route 91. The modern alignment of Interstate 15 through the gorge to St. George, Utah, was not part of original U.S. 91.
Alternate U.S. 91
U.S. 91 used to have an alternate route along Main Street in Las Vegas. Signed as Alternate U.S. 91, this highway was part of Nevada 601 until it was decommissioned in the early 2000s. Now it is maintained by the city of Las Vegas.
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