Chester selectman Barbara Pease Huntoon and Bryan Farr, president of The Historic US Route 20 Association at the unveiling of the Historic US 20 sign in Chester. (WNG File Photo)
HUNTINGTON – The Historic U.S. Route 20 Association and the Huntington Historical Society are co-sponsoring a follow-up presentation on “The People and Places of Historic Route 20” on Sunday, October 21, 2 p.m. at Stanton Hall, 24 Russell Rd. (Route 20) in Huntington. The event is free and open to the public.
Chester resident Bryan Farr, author of “Historic U.S. Route 20: A Journey across America’s Longest Highway” and President/CEO and Founder of the Historic Route 20 Association will return to share more interesting stories and anecdotes gleaned from his journeys on the highway.
Farr himself has traveled the whole route twice, all 3,365 miles from its start at the Citgo sign at Kenmore Square in Boston to Newport, Oregon on the Pacific Ocean. He says it takes about two weeks. .
Now his goal is to put Route 20 on the map as a cross-country travel destination, much like Route 66. “Route 20 has very little fanfare,” he said, adding that Route 20 and Route 66 were created on the same day in November 1925. “Many people do not realize that Route 20 was always intended to be a transcontinental highway. The zero indicated to travelers, that the road went from the Atlantic to Pacific.
“This follow-up presentation tells stories of the people and places along Highway 20. From witches to the town madame. Each town celebrates its local figures in interesting ways. Taste a few regional foods as well as noting the best places to eat and drink. For those living along Route 20, this is a great companion talk to share then connect to other places across the country along the longest highway in America,” Farr said.
The Historic US Route 20 Association aims to promote travel along the original 1926 alignment of US Route 20. This alignment avoids interstate highways and bypasses. The Association offers educational programs to these communities and works with local organizations and community leaders to discuss and implement the placement of historic markers indicating the original route to guide travelers and bring much needed attention to many small towns. The goal is to make US Route 20 a popular alternative to its more famous cousin, Route 66.
