End of US highway 250

Note: since I don't have access to a comprehensive collection of historical road atlases, much of the info below is based on the research of Robert Droz; click here to view his site. Photo credits: Marc Fannin; Cameron Kaiser; J.P. Nasiatka; Jason Reighard

The 1925 plan for the US highway system had a "US 250" in Kansas, running essentially along modern US 50 from Baldwin City to Garden City. However, this route was not approved; it ended up being designated "US 50-S" in 1926. So the only "real" US 250 was the one that appeared in 1930, originally running from Grafton WV to Norwalk OH. Probably the entire route was signed north-south, but since to me the number "250" implies an east-west branch, I think it would've been more appropriately numbered as an x19 route. Anyway, if you have (or could obtain) a photo of current or historic signage at either of these places, please let me know!

In 1933, US 250's north end was extended to Sandusky OH. I'm not sure when this changed, but originally northbound US 250 turned off Milan about a half-mile before Sycamore Line (yes, "Line" - not "Lane"), left onto Perkins Aveune. Then it went north on Columbus Avenue, and ended downtown at Washington Street, or US 6. The photo below shows some current signage at that intersection:

Fannin, 2001

That's from westbound Washington, at the intersection with Columbus. OH hwy. 4 follows historic US 250 for a few blocks, and then veers off to the southwest via Hayes Avenue. I'm not sure whether the remainder of old 250 is still on the state highway system.

The photos below show the modern terminus: now the US 250 designation comes in on Milan Road and ends on Sycamore Line at Cleveland Road (US 6):

Reighard, Aug. 2003

That's looking north at the end of US 250. Beyond the green sign you can just make out the "End" assembly - it's shown close-up below:

Kaiser, July 2006

You can also see the signage for the beginning of US 250 for westbound US 6 traffic. The "End" assembly has apparently been replaced since Marc took his photo (below):

Fannin, 2001

In 1934 the US 250 designation was extended east to its present terminus in Richmond (I'm told that Virginia is the only state in which US 250 is signed east-west). J.P. confirms that 250 is very poorly signed past US 1/301. He also reports something odd in the way US 60 is routed at the east beginning of US 250: eastbound US 60 comes into Richmond from Williamsburg on Broad Street. Maps show it turning south on 21st Street, with US 250 taking over straight ahead on Broad. However, when US 60 traffic gets to 22nd, signs direct you north to the next parallel block (Marshall Street), then west again, then south on 21st straight through Broad! J.P. says left turns are permitted on Broad to 21st, so the reason is not apparent. But anyway, here's a photo:

Nasiatka, Aug. 2003

That's looking south on 21st (US 60, as signed); Broad is the cross street, and US 250 begins to the right. In the photo below, we're looking the opposite direction:

Nasiatka, Aug. 2003

That's north on 21st; presumably eastbound US 60 is directed to the right here, and westbound US 250 begins to the left. Finally, here's a shot looking at the east end of US 250:

Nasiatka, Aug. 2003

That's looking east on Broad at 21st.