State Map Route Markers

In the United States, in addition to the Interstate Highway System (previously on Cartophilia here, here and here) each state maintains its own system of highways.

State highways are generally a mixture of primary and secondary roads, although some are freeways. Each state has its own system for numbering and signage. Some states (the really lame ones) use simple square or circular designs. Others use a symbol that is associated with that state (see Pennsylvania's Keystone State design). The coolest states, however, are the ones that use a map on their State Route signage.

Besides the four shown here, the other cool state highway systems are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and the District of Columbia. Of course, Wyoming and Colorado could be using their state shape... and who would know?

Take a Sporcle quiz to see if you can identify more State Route highway signs than your cubemate.

You can even order your own State Route sign (standard reflective or high intensity!) with the highway number of your choice.

In case you were wondering, Montana has the longest State highway route.

The best part about State map route signs: There is never a question which state you're in.

Show Me Missouri

... on a map postcard!



Why the "Show Me" State? From Wikipedia:

The phrase "I'm from Missouri" means I'm skeptical of the matter and not easily convinced. This is related to the state's motto of "Show Me," whose origin is popularly ascribed to an 1899 speech by Congressman Willard Vandiver, who declared that "I come from a country that raises corn and cotton, cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I'm from Missouri, and you have got to show me." However, according to researchers, the phrase was in circulation earlier in the 1890s. According to another story, the phrase was originally a reference to Missouri laborers being brought to Colorado to quell a miner's strike and requiring frequent instruction.

Some of you know of my indoor/arena football fandom. In the nearly ten years I have followed this sport, by and far, the worst team name I have come across has to be the "Show Me Believers", a team that played out of St. Charles. Apparently it is a play on the state slogan and the christian faith of the team owner... By god's mercy, the lame team name lasted only two years.



The saddest news for the sport is that the Arena Football League has chosen to suspend the 2009 season and take a hiatus till 2010. I have very low hopes that this league can successfully restructure and come back with a model for player compensation that won't break the teams.

What's this I see? St Louis is for Lovers! I don't know about that, but I've had some mighty fine brew pub brew.



And look! I have a shirt to go with the map cards. Now I cannot get lost in the state of misery...