End of historic US highway 104 |
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US 104 never connected with its implied parent route (US 4), but it shared the same approximate latitude, and I do not consider its number to be a major violation of route numbering guidelines. However, the thing I do find remarkable is that New York even requested a US route designation for this corridor. From the earliest discussions about the US route system, New York was a vocal proponent of having only major inter-state routes included. So to then turn around and have an intra-state route added to the system seems like it was very much out of character. Anyway, the original east end of US 104 was at its junction with US 11 in Maple View:
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c. 1943, USGS
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This sign was for travelers westbound on NY 104; straight ahead was the historic east beginning of US 104:
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Kerr, May 2002
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Kerr
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The previous shot was looking the opposite direction, at the junction where historic US 104 ended. I-81 is just over one mile ahead, and in 1961 (when I-81 was new to this area) the US 104 designation was extended to that interchange. This image was looking north on I-81 at the exit to NY 104. For about ten years, US 104 began by heading to the left across the overpass visible in the distance:
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Google Maps Street View, Aug. 2018
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US 104 lasted for less than 40 years; AASHO approved its decommissioning in 1971. At that time it became NY 104, and today that designation continues about ten miles further east than US 104 did. Here is that agenda item from the actual meeting minutes:
Based on that, US 104's west endpoint may have been truncated to jct. I-190 in Niagara Falls during its final years (although I have not seen a map illustrating that). For maps, photos, and info relevant to US 104's historic west terminus, please see the Niagara Falls page.
Research and/or photo credits: Doug Kerr; Dale Sanderson; Michael Summa
Page originally created 2000;
last updated Oct. 5, 2020.
last updated Oct. 5, 2020.
