Senate approves measure designating the Historic Jefferson Highway Route

A measure designating the oldest highway to pass through Oklahoma as the Historic Jefferson Highway has been approved by the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

Authored by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, Senate Bill 1884 would designate the route that largely follows State Highway 69 in Oklahoma from the Kansas to Texas borders as the “Historic Jefferson Highway Route.”

The Jefferson Highway cuts through the heart of the Louisiana Purchase territory and is named after President Thomas Jefferson for his role in the land transaction. It is one of the earliest automobile highways in the country, originally spanning more than 2,300 miles from Winnipeg, Canada, to New Orleans, La.

Bergstrom said the Jefferson Highway pre-dates Route 66 in Oklahoma by nearly a decade. 

“The cool thing about the Jefferson route is that it actually runs through many of our small towns and historic downtown districts,” Bergstrom said. “By promoting this iconic route, we hope to increase tourism and spur economic development in our communities.”

Under the measure, funding for highway signage would be provided by private sources.

Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, is the House principal author.

For more information, contact:

Sen. Micheal Bergstrom at 405-521-5561, or email Micheal.Bergstrom@oksenate.gov. 

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