PRESERVING- -THE-OLD SPANISH TRAIL NAME
The following news item froa tho Santa Barbara, California, News of April \>V, lp26 was nailed to U3j-
CHANGE NAME OF ROAD The nans, "Old Spanish Trail," will no longer bo used in designating tho fanouo highway extending frou St. Augustine,
Florida, to San Diego, California, according to recent information received from trie Touring Department of the National Automobile Club. Hereafter it will be designated as"United States Highway Nos. 80 and 90."
' Thenational Joint Board appointed by the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, head of the Federal Road Bureau, designated the Old Spanish Trail as United States Highway No. 90 in the East; No. 80 in the West. It is right this trunkline should be rated one of the national highways and numbered as such but the name should also be officially fixed"and preserved. Some, not all, of the Joint Board are trying to designate numbers only as a way to establish these national routes and rid the country of the irresponsible road promoters that have become a nuisance.
The GSt also suffers from these "rpad runners." While you and we have worked to weave this project together across eight states these promoters have sought advantage without giving service, money or value. From JO to 40 names have been placed along this highway' and many thousands of dollars collected. Most of the alleged organizations collected the money and faded away- while the Old Spanish Trail Association has spent over $150,000 and e&ven years time helping solve problems and pushing construction' gathering, compiling, printing and distributing travel literature and naps and doing many things to build this highway and popularize it.
These highway officials are very properly trying to stop these confusing and worthless promotions but out of the effort the Old Spanish Trail must emerge with its name and, integrity forever established ana protected.
The intelligence with which this trunkline has been developed across the continent is once more evident in its selection in its entirety as tho southern United States Highway. The highway departments of the eight OST States have performed great service in the construction work; they have solved financial and engineering difficulties that have cost years of effort and the highest order of skill. The ultimate achievement however will como when the narking from Florida to California shows both the United States Highway number and the none that ic so firmly rooted in the hearts of the people.
Highway officials we have consulted are ready to help plan and put in force the most useful system of marking that oan be devised. Many problems are evident. Eight 3tate departments must be consulted. The experience and oboervation of practical highway leaders must be gathered. Methods of financing''must be considered and, finally, practical plans must bo agreed upon which will give the traveler the sane sj$le of marking and signing a-long the Old Spanish Trail in all the eight Btates.