White Pole Road: Iowa Time Machine July 30, 1914

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On July 30, 1914, the Iowa Highway Commission approved the application of the White Pole Auto Club, making the “White Pole Road” (Great White Way)the first state-certified auto route in the state. 

Encouraging motorists to take the “Great White Way” on a road stretching along the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad from Des Moines to Council Bluffs, the route eventually extended east to Davenport. The initial application cost $5 to file with the state highway commission and was approved in July 1914. 

In 1922, the Great White Way Highway combined with River-to-River Primary No. 7 Highway to form the Whiteway-7-Highway. Another change in 1926 led to the name change to U.S. Highway 32. In 1931, sections of the highway joined the longest east-west route in the United States (U.S. 6), linking Massachusetts and California.

Over the late 20th century, the highway underwent a designation change. First, the DOT renumbered the route to Iowa 925, and eventually, the road was transferred to the counties. With the shift to county control, the route again became the White Pole Road, marking a round trip for the popular and historic Iowa auto trail. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar