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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: thspfc on July 30, 2021, 01:05:21 PM

Title: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: thspfc on July 30, 2021, 01:05:21 PM
On WI-70 westbound at the intersection with US-51 between Minocqua and Woodruff, there is a distance sign that reads:

Fifield 38
Ojibwa 78

Fifield, population 988, being signed 38 miles away is unconventional in and of itself. But Ojibwa is way smaller at 267 people, and is signed 78 miles away!
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Takumi on July 30, 2021, 01:07:49 PM
Burkeville, VA, population 432, is on a sign at the east end of US 360, 136 miles away.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: kphoger on July 30, 2021, 01:52:15 PM
This actually fits here better than it did in the thread it was originally posted in:

Quote from: Chris on June 24, 2016, 01:24:59 PM
Poland signs the remote focal point on its highways. In case of highways reaching a border, they sign the border town along the entire length of a route. So that means Jędrzychowice, a village with a population of 670, is signed across the country from hundreds of miles away...

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6vSYvwB.jpg&hash=2226de03e668d6bd2eb45a62b51a935354f03a32)

In the other direction, they sign Korczowa, population 660, located at the Ukrainian border.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FvW2Ty.jpg&hash=0d75ae0e1c220b49d161baafbfd20e8bf72a6a34)

Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Roadgeekteen on July 30, 2021, 02:00:31 PM
Deadhorse, Population 25

(https://c8.alamy.com/comp/M20TCG/dalton-highway-alaska-usa-may-24-2017-entrance-of-the-dalton-highway-M20TCG.jpg)
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: 1995hoo on July 30, 2021, 02:52:15 PM
Balladonia, population 5, 189 km; Eucla, population 53, 710 km (https://goo.gl/maps/fdrpUjPPfndiY32q7). I suppose there aren't many other options on that road, though.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: oscar on July 30, 2021, 03:36:05 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on July 30, 2021, 02:00:31 PM
Deadhorse, Population 25

That doesn't count thousands of oilfields workers there at any given time. Coldfoot actually has a smaller permanent population, with few temporary workers (no oil production, basically just a truck stop and a handful of government employees).

P.S.: As I've explained to you elsewhere (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=25062.msg2620902#msg2620902), it's uncool to post photos that stock photo companies are offering for sale, unless you've paid the license fee. Anyway, if you looked harder, you could've found a similar free photo on one of my websites.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: vdeane on July 30, 2021, 08:20:53 PM
Quote from: oscar on July 30, 2021, 03:36:05 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on July 30, 2021, 02:00:31 PM
Deadhorse, Population 25

That doesn't count thousands of oilfields workers there at any given time. Coldfoot actually has a smaller permanent population, with few temporary workers (no oil production, basically just a truck stop and a handful of government employees).

P.S.: As I've explained to you elsewhere (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=25062.msg2620902#msg2620902), it's uncool to post photos that stock photo companies are offering for sale, unless you've paid the license fee. Anyway, if you looked harder, you could've found a similar free photo on one of my websites.
Or even street view (https://www.google.com/maps/@65.4967877,-148.6865972,3a,15y,352.21h,84.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soI38B1HEl4cLA0uqe8HoRQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656), for that matter.  This particular sign was fairly easy to find - it even has a point of interest on the map, with 4.6 stars over 60 reviewers.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Bitmapped on July 30, 2021, 10:29:10 PM
Unincorporated Seneca Rocks, WV, population maybe a couple dozen, is signed on WV 28 from 50 miles away at Dunmore. Marlinton, WV, population 961, is signed 64 miles away on US 219.

In sparsely populated areas, it often comes down to signing towns that are junctions with other major routes even if they are very small.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on July 31, 2021, 12:00:24 AM
MN 11 westbound in Roseau: 60 miles to Donaldson, population 42 (and the junction with US 75).

https://www.google.com/maps/@48.8481205,-95.7696559,3a,15y,299.29h,85.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9JKvK7zsq1mznkEifAYGtw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: US 89 on July 31, 2021, 01:10:56 AM
Isn't there a mileage sign on I-70 in Baltimore with Cove Fort, UT on it?
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Roadgeekteen on July 31, 2021, 01:34:48 AM
Quote from: US 89 on July 31, 2021, 01:10:56 AM
Isn't there a mileage sign on I-70 in Baltimore with Cove Fort, UT on it?
Yes but that's more of a novelty sign.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Road Hog on July 31, 2021, 02:23:51 AM
Arkansas signs on I-40 westbound Fort Smith, which is destined to be a very small town as other towns grow around it.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Rothman on July 31, 2021, 11:30:13 AM
Quote from: Road Hog on July 31, 2021, 02:23:51 AM
Arkansas signs on I-40 westbound Fort Smith, which is destined to be a very small town as other towns grow around it.
No.  Fort Smith is a city.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Roadgeekteen on July 31, 2021, 01:13:57 PM
Quote from: Road Hog on July 31, 2021, 02:23:51 AM
Arkansas signs on I-40 westbound Fort Smith, which is destined to be a very small town as other towns grow around it.
What? I don't get it.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Brandon on August 01, 2021, 07:57:55 PM
Doesn't this kind of define I-80 throughout Pennsylvania?
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: oscar on August 01, 2021, 08:22:21 PM
Quote from: Road Hog on July 31, 2021, 02:23:51 AM
Arkansas signs on I-40 westbound Fort Smith, which is destined to be a very small town as other towns grow around it.

Fort Smith's current population is over 87K, making it the second-largest city in Arkansas. The populations of the "very small towns" mentioned in this thread have three-digit or smaller populations. Quite a radical drop you're projecting for Fort Smith, even if we use projections in this thread (we shouldn't, we're citing current populations).
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on August 01, 2021, 08:47:56 PM
Not sure what exactly constitutes "very small" or "far away", but Kentland, IN, has a population of 1,748 and gets singed 47 miles away from the north on US 41.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on August 02, 2021, 01:10:10 AM
Quote from: cabiness42 on August 01, 2021, 08:47:56 PM
Not sure what exactly constitutes "very small" or "far away", but Kentland, IN, has a population of 1,748 and gets singed 47 miles away from the north on US 41.

Similarly, Grand Marais, MN (pop. 1305) is signed for 104 miles away at its first mention where MN 61 leaves Duluth.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Rothman on August 02, 2021, 07:02:31 AM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 02, 2021, 01:10:10 AM
Quote from: cabiness42 on August 01, 2021, 08:47:56 PM
Not sure what exactly constitutes "very small" or "far away", but Kentland, IN, has a population of 1,748 and gets singed 47 miles away from the north on US 41.

Similarly, Grand Marais, MN (pop. 1305) is signed for 104 miles away at its first mention where MN 61 leaves Duluth.
Not much out there besides Two Harbors, Grand Marais and Grand Portage, though.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: zachary_amaryllis on August 02, 2021, 07:45:41 AM
just outside sterling, colorado. sterling itself is what.. 10,000 or so?
otis is a wide spot on us 36, or maybe 34 -- can't recall.

https://goo.gl/maps/nqurePcVcTkvuPVj6 (https://goo.gl/maps/nqurePcVcTkvuPVj6)
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: kphoger on August 02, 2021, 02:08:03 PM
Quote from: Bitmapped on July 30, 2021, 10:29:10 PM
Marlinton, WV, population 961, is signed 64 miles away on US 219.

That sure stretches the definition of "very small".  Marlinton has a couple of stoplights, a hospital, several restaurants, a grocery store, a school...
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on August 02, 2021, 02:21:58 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 02, 2021, 07:02:31 AM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 02, 2021, 01:10:10 AM
Quote from: cabiness42 on August 01, 2021, 08:47:56 PM
Not sure what exactly constitutes "very small" or "far away", but Kentland, IN, has a population of 1,748 and gets singed 47 miles away from the north on US 41.

Similarly, Grand Marais, MN (pop. 1305) is signed for 104 miles away at its first mention where MN 61 leaves Duluth.
Not much out there besides Two Harbors, Grand Marais and Grand Portage, though.

Yes, but the thread wasn't that specific.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: hbelkins on August 02, 2021, 03:36:09 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 02, 2021, 02:08:03 PM
Quote from: Bitmapped on July 30, 2021, 10:29:10 PM
Marlinton, WV, population 961, is signed 64 miles away on US 219.

That sure stretches the definition of "very small".  Marlinton has a couple of stoplights, a hospital, several restaurants, a grocery store, a school...

Marlinton is also the first incorporated place north of Lewisburg on 219, if I'm not mistaken. Of course, there is no prohibition on using non-incorporated places on interstate exits (you pass by exits for Dawson, Sam Black Church, and Alta before you get to Lewisburg if you're traveling east), but still.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: epzik8 on August 02, 2021, 08:46:07 PM
Quote from: US 89 on July 31, 2021, 01:10:56 AM
Isn't there a mileage sign on I-70 in Baltimore with Cove Fort, UT on it?
Yes, and it was installed as a test sign for Clearview.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: DandyDan on August 03, 2021, 06:02:53 AM
There's this unusual 4-city sign leaving Manly, Iowa going east on IA 9 where the second city is Riceville, population 761 as of the 2010 Census. I don't have any idea why it's there because it's not the next city on the route (that's Osage) and it's not a county seat, which Cresco and Decorah,  the other two cities on the sign, are.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Dirt Roads on August 03, 2021, 09:00:51 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 02, 2021, 03:36:09 PM
Marlinton is also the first incorporated place north of Lewisburg on 219, if I'm not mistaken. Of course, there is no prohibition on using non-incorporated places on interstate exits (you pass by exits for Dawson, Sam Black Church, and Alta before you get to Lewisburg if you're traveling east), but still.

Which reminds me:  For many years, Sam Black Church was shown as a destination eastbound on US-60 somewhere in Fayette County.  I can't remember where the sign was.  Of course, West Virginians knew that the purpose of the sign was to report the distance across the mountains before you hit I-64.  The population of Smoot is reported as 435 or 441 (neither sources are giving the year), and the village around Sam Black Church is a small portion of that (probably less than 100).  It's right at 50 miles from Gauley Bridge to I-64 and it seems to me that the old sign was west of there.

After completion of Corridor L, there was also a sign for Sam Black Church eastbound on US-60 in Hico.  That's about 36 miles.  That sign might still be there.  Somebody with GSV ought to check.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: hbelkins on August 03, 2021, 10:05:39 AM
Quote from: Dirt Roads on August 03, 2021, 09:00:51 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 02, 2021, 03:36:09 PM
Marlinton is also the first incorporated place north of Lewisburg on 219, if I'm not mistaken. Of course, there is no prohibition on using non-incorporated places on interstate exits (you pass by exits for Dawson, Sam Black Church, and Alta before you get to Lewisburg if you're traveling east), but still.

Which reminds me:  For many years, Sam Black Church was shown as a destination eastbound on US-60 somewhere in Fayette County.  I can't remember where the sign was.  Of course, West Virginians knew that the purpose of the sign was to report the distance across the mountains before you hit I-64.  The population of Smoot is reported as 435 or 441 (neither sources are giving the year), and the village around Sam Black Church is a small portion of that (probably less than 100).  It's right at 50 miles from Gauley Bridge to I-64 and it seems to me that the old sign was west of there.

After completion of Corridor L, there was also a sign for Sam Black Church eastbound on US-60 in Hico.  That's about 36 miles.  That sign might still be there.  Somebody with GSV ought to check.

On a family vacation back in the very late 1960s or early 1970s, we returned home through West Virginia. I don't remember a lot about that trip, and I don't remember where I-64 ended back in those days, but my dad said it took four hours to drive from White Sulphur Springs to Charleston.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: JayhawkCO on August 03, 2021, 12:32:50 PM
While not quite as far as some others in this thread, in La Junta, Colorado, there is a sign pointing towards Kim, Colorado  (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9879368,-103.534106,3a,75y,87.01h,95.13t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQy54taFZ2d0r9pZW7xgDNA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)which has 74 people and is 58 miles away.

Chris
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 12:58:39 PM
Quote from: jayhawkco on August 03, 2021, 12:32:50 PM
While not quite as far as some others in this thread, in La Junta, Colorado, there is a sign pointing towards Kim, Colorado  (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9879368,-103.534106,3a,75y,87.01h,95.13t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQy54taFZ2d0r9pZW7xgDNA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)which has 74 people and is 58 miles away.

Ah, Kim!  Home of the only gas station between Trinidad and Springfield (120 miles).  And it isn't open on week-ends.  Or evenings.
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: JayhawkCO on August 03, 2021, 01:07:14 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 12:58:39 PM
Quote from: jayhawkco on August 03, 2021, 12:32:50 PM
While not quite as far as some others in this thread, in La Junta, Colorado, there is a sign pointing towards Kim, Colorado  (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9879368,-103.534106,3a,75y,87.01h,95.13t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQy54taFZ2d0r9pZW7xgDNA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)which has 74 people and is 58 miles away.

Ah, Kim!  Home of the only gas station between Trinidad and Springfield (120 miles).  And it isn't open on week-ends.  Or evenings.

And named after a Rudyard Kipling novel!

Chris
Title: Re: Very small towns signed far away on distance signs
Post by: Scott5114 on August 03, 2021, 04:35:14 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 02, 2021, 02:08:03 PM
Quote from: Bitmapped on July 30, 2021, 10:29:10 PM
Marlinton, WV, population 961, is signed 64 miles away on US 219.

That sure stretches the definition of "very small".  Marlinton has a couple of stoplights, a hospital, several restaurants, a grocery store, a school...

Population doesn't always map one to one with the amenities available in a small town. When I lived in Goldsby, its population was a few hundred more than Marlinton, and we didn't have any of that. (Toward the end of my time there, we got a few stoplights on the edge of town, associated with a freeway interchange, and a second restaurant. Still has no hospital or school, and the only thing resembling a grocery store is a new Dollar General.)