The Highways of North Carolina
N.C. 78 
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Photo: NC 78 from westbound NC 42 (Jimmy Storey)
NC 78
N.C. 78  4 miles
The Road: Begins at US 1-15-501 Tramway and ends at US 421, NC 42-87 in Sanford, all within Lee County.
Towns and Attractions: Lee Co: Sanford
History: NC 78 was born in late 1940 as a renumbering of NC 93. It ran from US 1-15-501 east to US 421 which was using Lee Ave in Jonesboro Heights then.
The 1962 Lee County map shows NC 78 also on Woodland Ave in the Sanford inset, but I think this is a mistake because it is not shown on the main county map and what would the designation between Woodland and Lee on Main St have been?
Between 1963-68, NC 78 was extended east to the current US 421 routing on Horner Blvd, replacing what had been part of US 421/NC 87.

1940 Gen Draft
NC 93 Tramway to Jonesboro Hgts
1941-42 Official
NC 78 replaces NC 93
1962 Lee County
NC 78 ending at Lee Ave
1968 Lee County
NC 78 extended east


The original NC 78 was born in late 1934 as a replacement for NC 206, running from US 74 Hamlet south to NC 79 Gibson.
In 1937 or 1938, NC 78 was rerouted in Hamlet from Grace Chapel Rd to NC 381's current routing.

1936 Richmond County map
N.C. 78 initial north ending
1938 Richmond County
NC 78 north end moved east


In 1940, NC 78 was renumbered as NC 381.

1932 Gousha
NC 206, Hamlet to Gibson
1936 Official
NC 78 replaces NC 206
1940 Official
NC 381 replaces NC 78

Comment:
NC 78 provides a way to skirt the south edge of Sanford and could easily be renumbered as part of NC 42.

Last Update: 14 November 2008

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