End of historic U.S. Highway 161

Note: since I don't have access to a comprehensive collection of historical road atlases, much of the info on this page is based on the research of Robert Droz. More research and photo credits: Monte Castleman; Jeff Morrison.

Originally, the south end of US 161 was at its junction with US 61 near Montrose IA, north of Keokuk. Looking at modern roads in the area, one's first impression might be that the endpoint would've been where US 218 meets US 61 and continues south along with it:

Castleman, 2004

That's the modern equivalent of the historic junction. But the actual junction has been gone since the 1990's, when US 61 was upgraded to an expressway and realigned through this area. For photos and more info, please view this page by Jeff Morrison. A few years later, Iowa extended the US 161 designation southward into Keokuk, and then to the old bridge that crossed the Des Moines River into Missouri (this bridge was situated just to the west of the current US 61/136 bridge). You can view photos and get more info on Morrison's US 218 page.

Essentially US 161 served as an "Alternate US 61" through Iowa. From Keokuk, it followed what is now US 218 up through Mt. Pleasant, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids; then today's US 151 through Anamosa, back to US 61 just south of Dubuque. Below is the intersection where it likely ended:

Morrison, Aug. 2007

Key West Drive runs across the lower part of the photo; downtown Dubuque is about four miles to the right. Originally US 61 traffic was routed along Key West. At this intersection, southbound US 161 began ahead by splitting off on Old Military Road. US 161 was replaced in 1938 by extensions of US 151 and US 218.