VA 341 to 360

VA 341 to 360
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Photo: VA 353 cutout on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in the early 1970s (photo by David McGrann)

From:

near Appomattox (Appomattox County)
To: Virginia State Police Area Headquarters
Total Length: 0.20 miles

ROUTE LOG

Creation: Appeared Jan 1940 (CTB) as new primary routing, consisting of a single driveway about 0.06 miles long. This is the 2nd VA 341.
Adjustments: In Aug 1956 (CTB), a new building was erected at the HQ and a driveway looped from SR 613 around it was added as 0.144 more miles
Improvements: Paved upon inception; no multilane segments
Posted: Posted with 1 shield in each direction on SR 613.
Multiplexes: None
Legislative names: None
Other names: 3rd Division Loop
Scenic Byway: None
Comment: One of the VA 341 shields is visible from US 460/VA 24 which runs very close by to the south.
VA 341 appeared on Officials from July 1940 through 1954.

Current VA 341
1941-42 Official

Previous VA 341's:

1928 ROUTE LOG
US 13, VA 34: 0 - 0
CR 8: 2.6 - 2.6

VA 341 #1: Appeared in March 1923 (CTB) as new primary routing running from Parksley east to VA 34 (now US 13).
In August 1928, VA 341 was renumbered as VA 521 . Today it is VA 176.
The 1923 Official erroneously shows VA 341 extending west to today's SR 658.

VA 341 and VA 342 #1
1924 Official

From:

near Brandy Station (Culpeper County)
To: Virginia State Police Area Headquarters
Total Length: 0.16 miles

ROUTE LOG

Creation: Appeared Jan 1940 (CTB) as new primary routing, running as it does today. This is the 2nd VA 342.
Adjustments: None
Improvements: Paved upon inception; no multilane segments
Posted: White rectangles at SR 762
Multiplexes: None
Legislative names: None
Other names: State Police Rd
Scenic Byway: None
Comment: VA 342's south end was US 15-29 for many years.
VA 342 appeared on official maps only from July 1940 to July 1941

VA 342
1941-42 Official

VA 342 (1995 Culpeper County)
VA 342 detail
1995 Culpeper County

Previous VA 341's:

1928 ROUTE LOG
US 13, VA 34: 0 - 0
END VA 342: 3 - 3

VA 342 #1: Appeared in March 1923 (CTB) as new primary routing running from VA 34 (now US 13 Bus) Tasley west to the Onancock waterfront. See scan under VA 341 #1
In August 1928, VA 342 was renumbered as VA 522 . Today it is all of VA 126 and the westernmost mile of VA 179.
Commercial maps in the 1920s had VA 342 run to Cashville or run all the way to Pungoteague. All VDOT maps show Tasley to Onancock only.

Seashore (First Landing) State Park, City of Virginia Beach
Total Length: 6.99 miles

ROUTE LOG

Creation: Created in July 1940 (CTB) when Park routes R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-5 in Seashore State Park (opened in 1936) were taken into the primary system, a total of 2.727 miles. The segments are essentially the road from the oceanfront campground across US 60 to the park entrance; the 64th St road to Broad Bay - note this segment has never connected to US 60. 64th St between the gate and US 60 was SR 1264. This is the 2nd VA 343.
Adjustments: In June 1963 (CTB), 6.47 miles of road within the park that had been maintained by the no-longer-existent Princess Anne County as (unpaved) SR 755 was taken into the primary system. Only the 1969 and 1970 Officials show the road traversing the park.
In Aug 1967 (CTB), 1.72 miles of roads in the camping area were added to VA 343.

VA 343 (1958 Princess Anne County)
VA 343 not touching US 60 via 64th St
1958 Princess Anne County SR 755 (1958 Princess Anne County)
SR 755 traversing park
1958 Princess Anne County VA 343 (1969 City of Virginia Beach)
VA 343 traversing park
1969 City of Virginia Beach

At some point, much of the SR 755 addition was turned into the Cape Henry Hiking Trail (now 6.1 miles) that traverses the park, reducing VA 343 to the current 6.99 miles.
Improvements: Paved upon inception; no multilane segments
Posted: The northern (original) segments west of Fort Story are posted with shields in each direction on US 60. The 64th St section had no postings in 1991 or 2008.
In 1991 VA 343 was posted in circles on US 60 and later were replaced by ovals. Last time I was there the shields were correct.
Multiplexes: None
Legislative names: None
Other names: None
Scenic Byway: No segments
Comment: Seashore State Park's name officially changed to First Landing State Park in 1997.
VA 343 is implied on maps starting in 1938 and explicitly since 1944.

VA 343 (1944 Official)
VA 343 initial routing
1944 Official VA 343 (1969 Official)
VA 343 traverses park
1969 Official

Previous VA 343's:

1928 ROUTE LOG
US 13, VA 34: 0 - 0
END VA 343: 0.4 - 0.4

VA 343 #1: Appeared in June 1926 (CTB) as new primary routing running 0.4 miles east from VA 34 (now US 13 Bus) Eastville to Eastville Station at the railroad tracks.
In August 1928, VA 343 was renumbered as VA 524 . Today it is SR T631.
The 1927 Official erroneously labels this as VA 341. The 1926 and 1928 Officials label it 343.

VA 343 #1
1926 Official

From:

near Scottsburg (Halifax County)
To: Staunton River State Park
Total Length: 12.38 miles

ROUTE LOG
US 360, VA 360: 0 - 0
END VA 344: 12.38 - 12.38

Creation: Created in July 1940 (CTB) when Park route R-1 and access to the concession area in Staunton River State Park (opened in 1936) were taken into the primary system, a total of 2.17 miles. This is the only VA 344.
Adjustments: In April 1951 (CTB), VA 344 was extended out of the park over SR 725 west through Scottsburg to its current ending at US 360.
Improvements: Paved upon designation; no multilane segments
Posting: Fully posted; a circle 344 shield was present in Dryburg on SR 716 SB at VA 344 in 2009.
Multiplexes: None
Legislative names: None
Other names: Scottsburg Rd (west of Scottsburg); McDonald Rd (east of Scottsburg).
Scenic Byway: None
Comment: I believe this is the only state facility 3xx-series route that was promoted to a real state highway. Note that some of the state park roads are SR 782.
At its west end is a sign saying that VA 344 ends in 12 miles and that there is no crossing of the Staunton River - I always found this odd because I didn't have any maps that show there was ever a crossing. However, the 1932 Halifax County map shows "Logans Ferry (abandoned)" at the location of the park that went to Mecklenburg County.

VA 344 (1941-42 Official)
VA 344 initial routing
1941-42 Official VA 344 (1952 Official)
VA 344 extended west
1952 Official

From:

near Petersburg (Dinwiddie County)
To: Richard Bland College (Prince George County)
Total Length: 0.49 miles

ROUTE LOG
SR 608-677: 0 - 0
Prince George-Dinwiddie Line: 0.08 - 0.08
END VA 345: 0.41 - 0.41

Creation: Created in Aug 1941 (CTB), serving The Petersburg State Colony for the Negro Insane which opened as part of Central State Hospital along the Prince George-Dinwiddie line in 1938. This is the 2nd VA 345.
Adjustments: The Oct 1954 (CTB) takes into the primary system 2.645 miles of newly constructed driveways in the Elko Tract in Henrico County which was being developed for the Petersburg Training School and Hospital to be relocated from what is now the Richard Bland College site. Most of these roads are located in the area north of Portugee Rd and south/west of Technology Blvd.
The development of the Elko Tract for the Training School was beset by budget problems and local opposition and the site eventually moved to its current location where VA 357 is today. I can find no CTB references to remove this from the system. I had thought it was a new VA 359 based on what 35x numbers were already in place at the time. However, a 2010 news story in Richmond (linked below) shows pictures of these streets including a route sign - a VA 345 cutout. So the Elko Tract portion taken into the primary system by the state was a very separate piece of VA 345 - I'm guessing the initial thought would be that the original site would close down and 345 would just be out at the Elko Tract.
One of the articles linked below says that the Training School gave up on Elko Site per the Governor's direction in March 1956, while the linked news story from 2010 notes there was vocal local opposition.
The entire 2.6 miles of VA 345 was renumbered as VA 380 between 1970-75.

VA 345
VA 345 still present in 1969
1969 Henrico County Map VA 380
VA 380 by 1975
1975 Henrico County Map VA 345 (1958 Prince George County)
Current VA 345
1958 Prince George County

In 1959 the Training School moved to its current location and Richard Bland College took over the property in 1960.

What is/was the Elko Tract?
The Elko Tract was originally used as a "Lost City" during World War 2 to protect either the City of Richmond itself or at least Byrd Airport. Two articles discuss the Elko Tract and its mysteries here - 1994 and 2002. The 2010 WTVR report on the Elko Tract is here.
Improvements: Fully paved upon inception; no multilane segments.
Posted: White rectangle at SR 608-677
Multiplexes: None
Legislative names: None
Other names: None
Scenic Byway: None
Comment: VA 345 is a rare 3xx facility route to cross a county line and in the 50s encompassed a third county (Henrico).
VA 345 does not appear on official state maps.
The 1968 Historic Aerial of the Elko Tract shows the roads of VA 345 pretty well (the water tower which remains standing today is the white dot to the right of the semi-circle off the NE branch). If you zoom in to the 1:600 ft level or so you can see a well defined VA 345. The current Google Earth view shows the roads are harder to discern, but zooming in one can still find the water tower very close to Technology Blvd. VA 345 Cutout
VA 345 posted on the Elko Tract
screen shot from a 2010 WTVR report on Elko Tract

Previous VA 345's:

1942 ROUTE LOG
SR 629: 0 - 0
SR 629: 3 - 3

VA 345 #1: Although it is not listed among the state parks in the July 1940 CTB that received primary status, I believe VA 345 #1 was created July 1940 as an upgrade of SR 629 through Douthat Park near Clifton Forge.
There is also no CTB reference to decommission VA 345 back to SR 629, which happened by August 1941.
VA 345 appears on official maps from July 1940 through 1941-42.
My hunch is that perhaps it had been proposed that Douthat State Park, which opened in 1936, received mileage and was put on maps but maybe something happened to prevent it from actually being designated.

VA 345 #1
1941-42 Official

From:

Patrick County
To: Fairy Stone State Park
Total Length: 3.86 miles

ROUTE LOG
VA 57: 0 - 0
END VA 346: 3.86 - 3.86

Creation: Created in July 1940 (CTB) when Park route R-1 in Fairy Stone State Park (opened in 1936) were taken into the primary system, a total of 3.83 miles. Initially the route began near the Henry County line and headed northwest from VA 57 (whose west endpoint was at this new VA 346) to Fairy Stone State Park and ending at SR 623. This is the only VA 346.
Adjustments: In Feb 1964 (CTB), VA 346 west was extended to meet VA 57 (now SR 838) west of the park (replacing SR 623). The original east end was truncated to SR 822 with the old route to VA 57 becoming more SR 822.
In Oct 1964 (CTB), VA 346's west end was shifted to its current endpoint, leaving behind SR 839.
It is unclear when VA 346 through the east side of the park was closed to vehicle traffic. VA 346 is shown as the western piece only beginning with the 1966 Official.

VA 346 (1941-42 Official)
VA 346 initial routing
1941-42 Official VA 346 (1965 Official)
VA 346 extended to west of park
1965 Official VA 346 (1966 Official)
VA 346 no longer through park
1966 Official

In Oct 1974 (CTB), VA 346 was removed from an old loop just north of SR 623.
Improvements: Paved upon inception; no multilane segments
Posted: Fully posted at VA 57; white rectangle at SR 623.
Multiplexes: None
Legislative names: None
Other names: Fairystone Lake Dr
Scenic Byway: No segments
Comment: The official mileage of VA 346 still includes the closed section east to SR 822. Some roads within the park are SR 754.
VA 346 appears on officials since July 1940.

VA 346 (1946 Patrick County)
VA 346 initial routing more detailed
1946 Patrick County VA 346 (1975 Patrick County)
VA 346 closed on eastern end
1975 Patrick County

From:

Baynesville (Westmoreland County)
To: Westmoreland State Park
Total Length: 2.98 miles

ROUTE LOG
VA 3: 0 - 0
END VA 347: 2.98 - 2.98

Creation: VA 347 was created in July 1940 (CTB) when Park route R-1 in Westmoreland State Park (opened in 1936) were taken into the primary system, a total of 2.48 miles. This is the only VA 347.
Adjustments: In Aug 1947 (CTB), the road leading to the bath house was added to VA 347.
Improvements: paved since 1951; There are divided sections but only 1 travel lane in each direction.
Posted: Fully posted in shields at VA 3. No internal postings.
Multiplexes: None
Legislative names: None
Other names: State Park Rd
Scenic Byway: Entire route, since 8/15/02
Comment: VA 347 appears on officials since July 1940.
Although there is an unpaved SR 669 Old Park Rd that crosses VA 347, this was never part of VA 347 even in its pre-paved days.

VA 347 (1946 Westmoreland County)
VA 347 initial routing not using SR 669
1946 Westmoreland County VA 347 (1951 Westmoreland County)
VA 347 paved and split
1951 Westmoreland County

VA 347's descent to the Potomac River is as twisty as a mountain descent!
Some roads within the park are SR 686.

VA 347
1940 Official

From:

near Marion (Smyth County)
To:

Hungry Mother State Park
Total Length: 0.6 miles

ROUTE LOG
VA 16: 0 - 0
SR 703: 0.6 - 0.6

Creation: VA 348 was created in July 1940 (CTB) when Park route R-1 in Hungry Mother State Park (opened in 1936) were taken into the primary system, a total of 0.625 miles. This is the only VA 348.
Adjustments: None
Improvements: paved upon inception; no multilane segments
Posted: Fully posted with shields at VA 16. A single cutout at the SR 703 end as of 2008.
In the early 90s a plethora of cutouts still existed.
Multiplexes: None
Legislative names: None
Other names: Hungry Mother Dr
Scenic Byway: No segments
Comment: VA 348 appears on all officials since July 1940.
Hungry Mother State Park is gorgeous in the fall.

VA 348
1940 Official

VA 348 (1946 Smyth County)
VA 348 in detail
1946 Smyth County

From:

Halifax (Halifax County)
To:

Halifax (Halifax County)
Total Length: 0.12 miles

ROUTE LOG
US 501: 0 - 0
VA 360: 0.12 - 0.12

Creation: VA 349 was created in March 1940 as new primary routing by Act of the General Assembly, running as it does today. This is the only VA 349.
Adjustments: None
Improvements: paved upon inception; no multilane segments
Posted: posted with a reassurance shield at each end. No postings along US 501 or VA 360.
Multiplexes: None
Legislative names: Edmunds Blvd, entire route (since 3-9-42)
Other names: None
Scenic Byway: No segments
Comment: This is the shortest non-Y route that connects two other primary routes.
As short as this is, it actually appears on the Jan and Jul 1941 official maps, but none since.
This route has zero purpose, it just runs behind the municipal building in Halifax.
Nick Britton reported in Dec. 2004 that the route has been blocked off on both ends the last 2 times he drove past. The last couple times in the late 2000s that I happened by the road was open.